Early Vedic Period
Advent of Aryans & Vedic Period
- Early Vedic Period
- Later Vedic Period
Aryans started to arrive in Indian sub-continent by 1500 BC from central Asia or Steppes grassland. They were nomadic and pastoralist. Cattle was their most important wealth and for their cattle they were always in search of good pasture land.
The term Aryans stands for 'Linguistic community' who spoke Aryan group of languages.
Aryans were able to defeat indigenous population of India by their usage of superior bronze tools which included even mail coats and helmets. Moreover, they were using horses and horse driven chariot which provided swiftness to their army.
Initially, Aryans were concentrated in North-West part of Indian sub-continent which included NEFP, Kashmir, Punjab (east & west), Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Western UP and Northern Rajasthan.
Aryans after arriving in Indian sub-continent started to compose Vedas in Sanskrit language (initially, composition was oral not written).
Shruti Tradition - Passing knowledge in oral form from one generation to another
The first Veda to be composed was Rig Veda which was the most important source of information about early Aryans. Initially, the Vedas were oral composition, i.e., Shruti.
In Rig Veda, Himalaya Mountain is mentioned as 'Himavant Parvat'. It also mentioned Sapta-Sindhu rivers which are as follows -
- Indus (Sindhu)
- Jhelum (Vitasta)
- Chenab (Askini)
- Ravi (Parushani)
- Beas (Vipasa)
- Sutlej (Shutudri)
- Saraswati (Naditarana, Harkhawati) - it is no more existing today.
Early Vedic Period
Economy during Early Vedic Period - Cattle was the most important economic wealth of the early Aryans. It's importance is highlighted through many words associated with cattle mentioned in Rig Veda.
- Gopa (Cow)
- Gopajanya (Master of Cow)
- Goghana (Guest who was fed on cattle meat)
- Dudhitri (Milcher of Cow)
- Godhuma (The one which germinated in Cow's dung, i.e., Wheat)
- Godhuli (The time when the Cow returns to its shade, i.e., Dusk)
- Aghanya (not to be killed)
- Gavishti (Search for Cow), etc
The other important economic commodities in this period were Barley (Yava) and Wheat (Godhuma).
There was no formal system of taxation but people contributed voluntarily to the chief of community which was known as 'Bali' or 'Bhaga'.
Polity during Early Vedic Period - The head of Aryan tribal community was known as Rajan. His most important work was organising battle for securing large number of cattle.
Rajan was assisted by Sabha, Samiti and Vidhata.
Sabha - It was the most decisive assembly of this time which was exclusive in nature number wise as it included only Elder members of the society but gender wise it was inclusive as it had both males and females as its member.
Samiti - Number wise it was inclusive but it was less decisive in nature. Only males were part of this assembly.
Vidhata - It was a cohesive and small assembly which included both males and females. It's exact function was not clear but it has been at few places in Rig Veda that it was involved with religious & rituals decision.
In short,
Sabha - Most decisive
Only elder members
Both males and Females
Samiti - Not much decisive
All male members of the society
Vidhata - Religious decision
Small
Male & Female
Das Rajan War - Bharat was the most important and powerful Aryan tribe of this time. The ruler of Bharat tribe 'Sudas' had to take a policy decision in which head priest of Bharat clan was to be appointed. Sudas gave the coveted position of head priest to Vasishta Rishi instead of Vishwamitra (who composed Gayatri Mantra). Vishwamitra felt humiliated and persuaded 5 Aryan rajans and 5 non-Aryan rajans to fight with Sudas. As such Das Rajan was was fought on the banks of 'River Parushni (Ravi)' in which Sudas defeated 10 rajans. After this was, the entire territory was named after his clan - Bharatvarsha.
Society during Early Vedic Period - Society was organised on the line of Kul, Vis and Gram. Kul was the most important unit of the society. Head of the family was known as 'Kulapa' who was the eldest male member of the falily.
Society was 'Patriarchal' in nature but women were highly respected in the society. Women enjoyed political rights (as they were members of Sabha and Vidhata). Women were allowed to participate in educational discourse similar to males. For example - Lopmudra was one of the intellectual of this time known for her debate and discussion.
Marriage - We have not come across any instances of child marriage during this period. Love marriage was allowed under Ghandharva Vivah, where by both males and females were allowed to choose their spouse but from their own community. Instances of Polygamy and Polyandry was also found in this period.
Widow re-marriage - Widow re-marriage was allowed under 'Niyog vivah', where by widow was allowed to get married with the younger brother of deceased husband. Moreover, if she had a son out of the first marriage then she was suggested not to get married.
Sati - There was no such instances of Sati found in this period.
Slavery - Slavery was rampant at this point of time. There were two types of slaves at this point of time - Dasa and Dasyu
Defeated Aryans were Dasa and non Aryans were Dasyu. Many a time, Dasa were given favourable treatment but Dasyu were heavily discriminated. In Rig Veda, there is a mention of 'Dasyuhatya' which means mass killing of Dasyu.
Religious practices during Early Vedic Period - Early Vedic people personified the elements of nature into god. As such following important divinity emerged at this point of time -
Indra -
- God of rain & thundestorm
- Also known as 'Purandhar' - breaker of fort
- He was the most important divinity mentioned more than 250 times in Rig Veda
- Second important divinity
- Mentioned more than 200 times in Rig Veda
- He was considered as intermediary god
- Third important divinity
- God of water
- He is worshipped for maintaining equilibrium or cosmic balance
- Fourth important divinity
- God of wind
There were also some female divinity -
- Aditi - Goddess of day
- Usha - Goddess of dawn
- Nisha - Goddess of Dusk
- Savitri - Goddess of sunlight
The mode of worship was through offering sacrifices and performance of yajana which also mentioned recitation of prayers and mantra.
The objective of worship was material gain and not for spiritual purpose.
Previous Article - Chalcolithic Period
Next Article - Later Vedic Period
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Optional Notes
Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own.
Hope! It will help you to achieve your dream of getting selected in Civil Services Examination 👍
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