Vedic Civilization – History Study Notes

Vedic Civilization – History Study Stuff & Notes

Vedic civilization was the culture and traditions of the society prevalent during the Vedic era (1500–600 BCE). In various examinations, which form part of general studies, one often asks one or two questions about Vedic civilization. The purpose of this chapter of history study material and notes is to cover the essential and examinable details of the ancient Vedic period.

It should be noted here that after the fall of the Indus Valley Civilization in 1500 BCE, the next wave of civilization came to the Indo-Gangetic Plain as the Aryans.

The Aryans:

• Commonly, the Aryans ’time is known as the Vedic Age because the four major Vedas were composed at this time.

• The word Aryan is from Sanskrit which is derived from the word "Arya". That means noble, not ordinary.

• It is believed by many historians that he came here from Russian steppes.

• But different scholars have given different opinions about their origin. Bal Gangadhar Tilak argued that the Aryans came from the Arctic region after their astronomical calculations.

• It is generally believed that they spoke Indo-Aryan language, sanskrit.

• They were semi-nomadic, rustic people who lived a rural life compared to urban Harappans.

Vedic literature:

• The word means "superior knowledge" in Sanskrit.

• The four major Vedas form the Vedic literature which are as follows:

1.) Rigveda -    The oldest Vedas, it has 1,028 hymns and 10,580 verses in praise of the gods.

2.) Yajur Veda -          It details the rules to be followed during sacrifice.

3.) Sam Veda -           It has a collection of songs. The origins of Indian music are traced.

4.) Atharvaveda -       It contains spells and charms to ward off evil and diseases.

• Apart from these Vedas, there were Braharmanas, Upanishads, Aranyaka and Mahakavyas (Epics)- Ramayana and Mahabharata.

1.) Braharmanas- It contains prose about Vedic hymns, rituals and philosophy.

2.) Aranyaka - It deals with mysticism, rituals and rituals.

3.) Upanishads - This soul, a philosophical treatise dealing with the mysteries of nature.

4.) Ramayana - It was written by Valmiki.

5.) Mahabharata - It was written by Ved Vyas.

Vedic Period Classification:

(1500–500 BC) The period of Vedic civilization is divided into two broad parts –

1.) Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC), also known as Rig Vedic Period.

2.) Later Vedic Period (1000- 600 BC).

We will study the following characteristics of Vedic civilization under these two periods.

Political organizations of Vedic Age:

In Early Vedic Age:

• Kula - was the basic unit of the political organization of the time.

• several families of kinship formed a "grama" together.

• The leader of the "Grama" was "Gramani".

• The group of villages was called "Vis", headed by "Vispati".

• The supreme political and administrative unit was the "Jana" or tribe.

• There were many such tribal kingdoms - Bharatas, Matsyas, Yadus and Purus.

• The head of the rashtra (the country) was "Rajan" or "Raja".

• Rigvedic politics was a hereditary monarchy.

• There were two bodies - the council of elders was called "assembly" and the general assembly of people was called "committee".

In the later Vedic age:

• Large kingdoms formed by amalgamation.

• Therefore, the power of the king increased and he performed many rituals and sacrifices to strengthen his position like Rajasuiya (consecration ceremony), Ashwamedha (horse sacrifice) and Vajpayee (chariot race).

• The kings  accepted titles of Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi(lord of all earth), Ekrat and Samrat (sole ruler).

• However, the importance of the committee and the gathering diminished.

Societies of Vedic Civilization:

In the early Vedic age:

• The Rig Vedic society was originally patriarchal.

• The basic unit of the society was 'Graham' or family, its head was called 'Grahapati'.

• Monogamy was practiced during polygamy between royal and noble families.

• Women had equal opportunities for their spiritual and intellectual development as men. At that time Apala, Viswavara, Ghosa and Lopamudra were women poets.

• No child marriage, sati practice.

• The social divisions were not rigid then.

In the later Vedic age:

• The varna system became prevalent here - the society was divided into four parts: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras.

• Brahmins and Kshatriyas occupy a higher position than the others.

• Depending on the profession, various subcastes emerged.

• Women were now considered inferior and subservient to men and also lost their political rights to attend assemblies.

• Now child marriage became common.

Economic Conditions of Vedic Civilization:

In Early Vedic Age:

• The Rig Vedic Aryans were cattle rearers, they were cattlemen.

• He started agriculture after settling permanently in North India.

• Carpenters produced chariots and plows.

• A variety of articles were made by workers with copper, bronze and iron.

• Spinning was an important occupation – cotton and woolen cloth.

• Goldsmiths made jewelry. The potter made a variety of utensils for domestic use.

• The trade was initially operated by the barter system, but later shifted to using gold coins called "nishka" for large transactions.

• The rivers served as a means of transportation.

In the later Vedic age:

• The forests were cleaned and more land was put under cultivation. Show knowledge and development of manure.

• Hence agriculture became the main occupation of barley, rice and wheat growers.

• Industrial activity became specialized with the advancement of metalwork, leatherwork, carpentry and pottery.

• Along with internal trade, foreign trade also became widespread (they traded with Babylon through the sea).

• The Vaishyas engaged in trade and commerce known themselves as "Ganas".

• Coins: Apart from Nishka, krishnala - silver coins and satamana - gold coins   were also used as medium of exchange.

Religion of Vedic Period:

In the early Vedic age:

• The Rigvedic Aryans accepted and worshiped earth, fire, air and thunder as a deity.

• Some important Rigvedic deities - Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Vayu (air), Varuna (rain) and Indra (thunder). Of these, 'Indra' was the most popular. Next is 'Agni' - considered as an intermediary between the gods and the people.

• Varuna - the holder of the natural system.

• Female Goddesses - Aditi and Usha.

• Neither temple nor idol worship.

In the later Vedic age:

• At this time Indra and Agni lost their importance.

• Prajapati (creator), Vishnu (protector) and Rudra (destroyer) were considered.

• Rituals and sacrifices became more elaborate.

• But then the importance of prayers declined.

• And priesthood became a hereditary profession. they laid down the rules of these rituals and sacrifices.

• Hence by the end of this period there was a strong reaction against this priestly domination (against elaborate sacrifices and rituals). After this, Buddhism and Jainism emerged.