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Vedic Age
Social ScienceAncient Indian History

Introduction

The Vedic age is the period of ancient India roughly between 1500 B.C. to 600 B.C. This period comes after the end of the Indus valley civilization. After the end of the Indus valley civilization, the Indo-Aryan migrated into the subcontinent from Central Asia through the different passes in northwest India. The Indo-Aryans started developing their culture and religion and started writing the Vedas. The Indo-Aryans were basically a pastoral community depending on the agriculture and domestication of animals.

Why is the Vedic Age Called the Epic Age?

The Vedic age is called the epic age because in this age various Vedas and epics were written. The Vedas come from the Sanskrit word “Ved” which means superior knowledge. There were four Vedas written in the Vedic age

  • Rig Veda - This is the first Veda written in the Vedic age, it contains 1028 hymns. The Rig Veda contains the conflict between the Aryans and Dasas. The Rig Veda has described India as a land of seven rivers these rivers are

    • Jhelum

    • Chenab

    • Ravi

    • Beas

    • Sutlej

    • Indus

    • Saraswati.

  • Samveda - This Veda contains the exact verses of the Rig Veda with some exceptions.

  • Yajurvedas - This Veda contains the rituals for priests as well as for the common man.

  • Atharvaveda - This Veda belongs to Atharva rishi. This Veda contains 760 hymns and some are the same as Rig Veda.

Apart from the four Vedas, the two epics were also written in this same period.

  • Mahabharat - This epic contains the narration of the struggle between the Kauravs and Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war. This epic also talks about the four “Purushart” or the goal of life. The Kauravs and Pandavas were a group of cousins fighting for the rightful authority of the kingdom. The enmity among the cousins led the Pandavas to leave the kingdom in exile.

  • Ramayana - The writer of this epic was Mahrishi Valmiki. The story is about lord Rama the king of the Kosala kingdom(Ayodhya). Ram was in fourteen-year exile in the forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. The SIta was kidnapped by Ravana the king of Sri Lanka. The epic narrated how the truth has triumphed over the falsehood. The truth is repressed by Lord Ram and the falsehood, and arrogance of the Ravan. Ultimately to save Sita, Ram and Lakshman with the alliance of the army of monkeys crossed the Palk bay and defeated Ravan, and freed the site.

Feature of the Vedic age

The Indo Aryans who migrated to India developed various political, cultural, and economic institutions during these periods

These are features of the Vedic age

Polity 

The smallest unit of society was the family known as “kula”. The joining of various families is known as village or “gram” which is headed by “Gramani”. A group of villages is known as “Visu”. The supreme authority of all “Visu” was the tribe.

There are many tribal states that were developed in the Vedic age such as yadu, Puru, Matsya, etc.

  • Society - The society of the Vedic age was purely patriarchal in nature, women were confined to the domestic work of cooking and taking care of the children. But there was some freedom for women such as poetry and taking part in political assemblies. Apala, Lopamudra, and Ghosa are some prominent women poets of the Vedic age.

  • Economic feature - The economy of the Vedic age was dependent on agriculture and the domestication of animals. Carpentry was also another type of profession. But in the later Vedic age the dependence on agriculture increased and people started cutting forests. The use of iron became increased in the later Vedic period also.

What is the Difference Between the Early Vedic Age and the Later Vedic Age?

Difference Early Vedic period Later
Timing 1500 B.C- 1000 B.C. 1000 B.C to 600 B.C.
Area Punjab and Sindh Gangetic plains
Gods

Prithvi(Earth)

Agni(Fire)

Vayu(Wind)

Varuna(Rain)

Indra(Thunder)

Prajapati(The creator)

Vishu(The protector)

Rudra(the destroyer)
Varna system Based on virtues Based on Birth
Condition of woman Equal opportunity Deteriorated
Economic life Pastoral Cultivation

Apart from this the kingdoms in the later Vedic period was large as compared to the tribal kingdom in the early Vedic age. The later Vedic period defined India into 3 parts −

  • Aryavartha- North India

  • Madhyadesa- Central India

  • Dakshinpantha- South India

Conclusion

The Indus valley civilization which was one of the earlier civilizations on earth ended by 1500 B.C. and then the Indo-Aryans came to India through the passes of Northwest India. They gradually started settling in the Punjab and Indus areas. The development of Vedas started during this period by Indo-Aryans.

The language Sanskrit also belongs to the Indo-European language family. The first Veda written at this time was the rig Veda. The development of society and economy led to the rise of various tribal kingdoms in India. The Varna system of Hindu social order started during this time. Initially, the varna system was in its original form where the profession of a person is usually defined by his performance but in the later Vedic age, it became a rigid and hereditary occupation.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Verna/ Varna system?

Ans. Verna system is the hierarchical system of society broadly defined in the ancient text of Manusmriti. In this system, society is divided into four Varnas. These Varnas are

  • Brahmin- The priestly class.

  • The Kshatriya- The soldier class

  • The Vaishiya- The agriculture and trading class

  • The Shudras- The working class.

All four classes are in the hierarchical order where on the top are the Brahmins and then Kshatriya, Vaishyas, and Shudras.

Q2. What is the Indus valley civilization?

Ans. The Indus valley civilization is the ancient Indian civilization that originated on the banks of the river Indus. This civilization is also known as the Harrapan civilization. The Indus valley civilization has organised cities with basic amenities like roads, sewage, common swimming pools, etc.

The Harappan civilization is said to have originated between 3200 B.C. to 2500 B.C. The reason for the decline of the Indus valley civilization is still unknown but various theories are there.

Q3. What is Buddhism?

Ans. Buddhism is the region that originated in present-day Nepal and the Bihar state of India. The founder of Buddhism was Gautam Buddha born in 567 B.C. He got enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. The Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath and he died in Kushinagar.

Buddhism after the death of Buddha was propagated by the disciple of Buddha. Buddhism is said to be non-Vedic religion because it doesn't adhere to the idea of the Varna system.

Q4. What are the five constraints that Jains need to follow according to Jainism

Ans.

  • Ahimsa(non-violence)

  • Satya(truthfulness)

  • Asetya(not stealing)

  • Apartigraha(non-acquisition)

  • Bhramacharya(chaste living)

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