The Vedic Civilization stands as a testament to the glorious cultural, social, and spiritual heritage of ancient India. Its influence reverberates through the annals of history, shaping the trajectory of Indian civilization and leaving an indelible mark on the world.
The Vedic period, from 1500 BC to 600 BC, followed the Indus Valley Civilization. During this time, the Vedas, Hinduism’s oldest sacred texts, were composed in northern India. The Vedas not only serve as religious texts but also offer insights into how people lived and behaved during that era.
Studying these texts helps us understand Vedic society and culture, which can be divided into two main periods: the Early Vedic Period (or Rig Vedic Period) and the Later Vedic Period (or Painted Grey Ware Phase). These two periods had distinct characteristics, which we’ll explore further in this article.
The Aryans:
- The Aryans were foreigners who migrated to the Indus Valley and the Ganges Plain.
- Their exact origin is uncertain, with some suggesting the Caspian Sea in Central Asia and others the Russian Steppes.
- The term “Aryan” comes from Sanskrit, meaning “noble people.”
- They were Indo-Iranian tribes.
- The Vedic age began with the Aryans, who spoke Sanskrit and lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle.
Early Vedic Age
Early Vedic Period or Rig Vedic Society (1500 BC – 1000 BC):
Initially, the Aryans lived in an area known as the ‘Sapta Sindhu’ or the Land of the Seven Rivers. These rivers were:
- Sindhu (Indus)
- Vipash (Beas)
- Vitasta (Jhelum)
- Parushni (Ravi)
- Asikni (Chenab)
- Shutudri (Satluj)
- Saraswati
Political Structure:
- They had kings known as Rajans.
- The largest political unit was called Rashtra.
- Families formed groups known as ‘grama’, led by a ‘gramani’.
- Groups of villages formed larger units called ‘visu’, led by a ‘vishayapati’.
Social Structure:
- Women were respected and could participate in major committees like Sabhas and Samitis. Many women were poets like Ghosa, Viswavara, Apala, and Lopamudra.
- Cows were highly valued among all cattle.
- Monogamy was common, but royalty practiced polygamy.
Economic Structure:
- Agriculture was the main occupation, along with cattle-rearing.
- They used horse chariots and ploughs.
- Spinning was used to make cotton and woolen fabrics.
- Initially, they used the barter system, later transitioning to gold coins called ‘nishka’.
- Rivers were used for transportation.
Religion:
- They worshipped natural forces like earth, fire, wind, rain, and thunder.
- The prominent god was Indra (associated with thunder).
- Other natural forces were also worshipped, such as Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Varuna (rain), Vayu (wind), and female gods like Ushas and Aditi.
- There were no temples or idol worship.
Later Vedic Age
Later Vedic Civilization or Painted Grey Ware Phase (1000 BC – 600 BC):
During this period, the Aryans had settled in western and eastern Uttar Pradesh (Kosala) and Bihar.
Political Structure:
- There were no political committees like Samiti and Sabha.
- Larger kingdoms were known as ‘Mahajanapadas’ or ‘rashtras’.
- Kings gained more power and performed various rituals like Rajasuya (consecration ceremony), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice), and Vajpeyi (chariot race).
Social Structure:
- The Varna system became prominent, dividing society into four classes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras.
- Brahmins and Kshatriyas held higher positions and respect.
- Women had limited power, were considered inferior, and couldn’t participate in political assemblies.
- Child marriages were common.
Economic Structure:
- Forests were cleared for cultivation.
- Agriculture remained the primary occupation.
- Crafts like carpentry, pottery, leatherwork, and metalwork gained importance.
- Two gold coins, satamana and nishka, were used for trading.
- Silver coins like krishnala were also used.
- Foreign trade began with distant regions like Babylon and Sumeria.
Religion:
- Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector), and Rudra (the destroyer) were worshipped instead of Indra and Agni.
- People started praying directly to God.
- The priestly class gained more power and began controlling rites and rituals.
- People became unhappy with this and protested, leading to the emergence of Buddhism and Jainism.
Also Read: Vedic Literature
Difference Between Early Vedic and Later Vedic
| Early Vedic Society | Later Vedic Society |
|---|---|
| Aryans lived in semi-nomadic tribes | Aryans settled in defined regions like UP and Bihar |
| Decentralized political structure (Rajans leading) | Centralized political structure (Emergence of Mahajanapadas and rashtras) |
| Women enjoyed respect and participation in committees | Women’s rights declined, excluded from political assemblies |
| Agriculture and cattle-rearing primary occupations | Agriculture remained important, but crafts gained significance |
| Religion focused on natural forces (Indra, Agni) | Shift towards worship of Prajapathi, Vishnu, Rudra |
| Social structures less rigid, monogamy common | Emergence of Varna system, with Brahmins, Kshatriyas holding higher positions |
These differences reflect the evolving socio-political, economic, and religious landscapes during the Vedic period, which continue to shape our understanding of ancient India and its impact on modern society.
Continue Reading: Ancient History Notes for UPSC 2025