Vedic Age

Vedic age is the period between 1500 to 600 BCE.

After the Indus Valley Civilization, it is the next major civilization in the Indian subcontinent. The source of information that we have for the Vedic Age is the Vedic texts. It is believed that the arrival of the Aryans brought what we read as the Vedic age. Indo-Aryans used to speak the Indo-European language.

Read about HARAPPAN / INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION here.

How did the Aryans come to India?

Aryan Migration Theory

• According to this theory, the Indo-Aryans migrated from different regions in a series. Evidence proves the migration of the South Siberian population to the North of the Kush Mountains, and further to India.
• This is supported from the evidence of horses, fire cults, wheels, cremation, and spoked wheels.

Central Asian Theory

• This theory was given by Max Muller.
• According to this theory, Aryans migrated from the Steppe region in Central Asia.
• This is supported due to the similarity between Vedic words, and similar concepts mentioned in the Iranian text – Avesta.

European Theory

• Sir William Jones gave this theory.
• Aryans are of European origin.
• Based on the comparative linguistic study of Latin, German, Sanskrit, and Greek.
  • Example – Sanskrit words like “Matri” and “Pitri” are similar to the Latin words “Pater” and “Mater”.

Indian Theory

• Dr. Sampurnanand and A.C Das; Ganganath Jha and others gave the Indian Theory of Aryans.
• This theory suggests that Aryans are indigeneous to the Indian subcontinent.
• The geographical data & sacrificial rituals, as found in the Rig Vedic times point to the Indian origin of the Vedic Aryans.
• Further, the skeleton found in Rakhigarhi in Haryana, refutes the Aryan Migration Theory.

Vedic Civilization: Early Vedic Period and Later Vedic Period

Early Vedic Civilization or Rig Vedic Period (1500 BC – 1000 BC)

In the beginning, the Aryans lived in what was called the “Sapta Sindhu” or the land of seven rivers. These rivers were Indus (Sindhu), Beas (Vipash), Jhelum (Vitasta), Chenab (Asikini), Ravi (Parushni), Satluj (Shutudri) and Saraswati.

Later Vedic Civilization or Painted Grey Ware Phase (1000 BC – 600 BC)

The Later Vedic Age from 1000 BC to 600 BC saw the Aryans cross the Vindhyas, and settle in the Deccan region. This region was north of Godavari river. Later Vedic Age saw popular assemblies lose their importance, and as a result, the power of the royal families increased.

A lot of territorial states emerged as a result. The fights were now fought for land and not just cows. Private lands could be owned.

Geographical Structure of the Vedic Age

Features	Early Vedic Age	Later Vedic Age
Political Structure	Rajan was the head of the State. Jana was the largest political unit in the Early Vedic Age. Kula was the name of the basic unit of political organization. Grama is a parallel to current villages, consisting of multiple families living together. Gramani was the leader of the group of villages (grama). Visu was a group of Gramas which was headed by the Vishyapati. Sabhas and Samitis were tribal assemblies. Tribal kingdoms included Matsyas, Bharatas, Yadhus, and Purus. Senani was the leader of the army. Kingship wasn’t associated with any type of doctrine of divinity. Gavisthis or Gavenshana or Ghoshu was the name for battles fought, although there was no standing army.	While kingship wasn’t hereditary in the Early Vedic Age, it became hereditary in the Later Vedic Age. The king became important with strategic powers. They could perform sacrifices. Rajasuya was the ceremony of royal consecration, where the king was conferred with supreme authority. Vajapeya was a chariot race to win against kinsmen. Ashwamedha had control over the area in which the horse ran without any interruptions. The king, however, still didn’t have any standing army.
Geographical Structure	The early Aryans lived in an area called the “Sapt-Sindavah” means the land of seven rivers. Saraswati river (Ghaggar-Hakra channel) was considered the holiest river.	Later Arynas moved to the Eastern parts of the subcontinent, extending till Bengal. They used iron tools and fire to reach there. Kuru-Panchala region remained the core area, which was a region between Indo-Gangetic divide and upper Ganga Valley. The story of Videga Madhava in Satapatha Brahmana says that the Videga Madhava moved to the east of Gandak river with the help of Agni – the fire god.
Social Structure	Women occupied respectable positions and were allowed to participate in Sabhas and Samitis. There were women poets such as Apala, Lopamudra, Viswavara, and Ghosa. Cows became very important among cattle. Monogamy was practiced but polygamy was present among royalty and noble families. There was no practice of child marriage. Social distinctions existed but were not followed rigidly and hereditary.	The Varna system became important and society was divided into four divisions such as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras. Brahmin and Kshatriyas were in a higher position. Various sub-castes were divided on the basis of occupation. Women were treated as inferior and subordinate to men and also lost their political position of attending assemblies. Child marriages were common in society.
Economic structure	Aryans were pastoral and used to domestic cattle like cows. Agriculture was the main occupation. Chariots and Ploughs were made by Carpenters. Articles made from copper, bronze and iron were prevalent. Advancement in spinning helped in making cotton and woolen clothes of different styles and patterns. Goldsmiths designed ornaments. Potters made various kinds of vessels for domestic use. Barter System was followed for trade.Later, we find the use of nishka – gold coins for large transactions. Transportation was done through rivers.	People started growing wheat, barley and rice, and agriculture thus became more important than ever. Cultivation becoming important meant a large amount of forests were cleared. Industrial activities like leatherwork, carpentry, metal work, pottery, etc became prevalent. External and Internal trade increased. For example, Babylon through the sea. Vaniya were hereditary merchants across different classes. Vaishyas were involved in trade and commerce, and they formed guilds called ganas. Trade was through gold coins called satamana along with the previous nishka. Coins like krishnala were used as medium of exchange.
Religion Structure	The worship of natural forces, including earth, fire, wind, rain, thunder etc was practiced. They personified these natural forces into gods. For example, Agni was the Fire God. Indra was the Thunder God and was one of the most important Gods. Other important gods were Prithvi (Earth), Varun (Rain), & Vayu (Wind)Ushas and Aditi were female gods. Temple worship and Idolatry wasn’t practiced	Prajapathi – the creator god, gained importance. Indra and Agni lost their importance. Vishnu was the protector, Rudra was the destroyer. The Later Vedic Age saw the emergence of rituals becoming more elaborate, and prayer methodologies changed, or declined/Buddhism and Jainism emerged as a strong protest against the priesthood culture followed in the period.

Vedic Literature

Veda is taken from “Ved” which literally means knowledge. There are four major Vedas – Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharva veda.

Rig Veda was composed in the Early Vedic Age. Samaveda, Yajur Veda and Atharva veda were written in the Later Vedic Age.

• Rig Veda – The earliest religious text, it contains 1028 hymns classified into 10 mandalas.
• Yajur Veda – Contains the details of the rulers followed while performing sacrifices. It also contained information on performing rituals.
• Sama Veda – Dealt with music. It has a collection of songs.
• Atharva Veda – This Veda contains spells, charms and magical formulas.

Other prominent texts include –

• Brahmanas – Contains prose about Vedic Hymns, Philosophies and Rituals.
• Upanishads – Known as Vedantas (108 in number). It is an important source of India’s philosophy of metaphysics and epistemology.
• Aranayakas – It is a book of instructions, to be able to deal with rites, rituals and mysticism.
• Ramayana and Mahabharata – Epics written by Valmiki and Ved Vyasa.

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