Vedic Civilization
- The Vedic Civilization was the culture and traditions of the society prevalent during the Vedic age ( 1500- 600 BCE).
- After the decline of Indus Valley civilization by 1500 BCE, the next wave of civilization began to take shape in form of Aryan occupation of Indo-Gangetic plain.
The Aryans
- Typically, the age of Aryans is known as the Vedic age because the four major Vedas were created in this time.
- The word Aryan is derived from the Sanskrit word “arya” which means noble, not ordinary.
- They arrived from russian steppes, as is believed and agreed to by majority historians.
- But various scholars voice different opinion about thier origin. Bal Gangadhar Tilak argued that Aryans came from the Arctic region following their astronomical calculations.
- It is generally agreed that they spoke Indo-Aryan Language, Sanskrit.
- They were semi-nomadic, pastoral people, who led a rural life as compared to the urban Harappans.
- The term Veda means “superior knowledge” in Sanskrit.
- Four major Vedas constitute the vedic literature. They are – Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda.
- Rig Veda – Earliest veda. Has 1028 hymns in praise Gods.
- Yajur Veda – Has details of rules to be followed during sacrifices.
- Sam Veda – Has a collection of songs. The origins of Indian music are traced to it.
- Atharva Veda – has a collection of spells and charms.
- Besides these Vedas, there were Brahmanas, Upnishads, Aryankas, and epics- Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Brahmanas – Prose about vedic hymns, rituals and philosophies.
- Aryankas – Deal with mysticism, rites and rituals.
- Upnishads – Philosophical texts dealing with soul, mysteries of nature.
- Ramayana was authored by Valmiki.
- Mahabharata was written by Ved Vyasa.
- Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC), also known as Rig Vedic Period.
- Later Vedic Period (1000- 600 BC).
- ‘Kula‘ was the basic unit of political organization.
- Multiple families together of kinship formed a ‘grama‘.
- Leader of ‘grama’ was ‘Gramani‘.
- Group of villages were called ‘visu’, headed by ‘vishayapati‘.
- The highest political and administrative unit was ‘jana‘ or tribe.
- There were several such tribal kingdoms – Bharatas, Matsyas, Yadus and Purus.
- The head of kingdom was ‘Rajan‘ or king.
- The Rig Vedic polity was hereditary monarchy normally.
- There were two bodies- Sabha(council of elders) and Samiti(general assembly of people).
- Larger kingdoms by amalgamation formed ‘Mahajanapadas or rashtras‘.
- Therefore, the power of king increased and he performed various rituals and sacrifices to make his position strong like Rajasuya (consecration ceremony), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice) and Vajpeya (chariot race).
- The kings assumed titles of Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi(lord of all earth), Ekrat and Samrat (sole ruler).
- But, importance of the Samiti and the Sabha diminished.
- The Rig Vedic society was basically patriarchal.
- The basic unit of society was ‘graham’ or family, its head was called as ‘grahapathi’.
- Monogamy was practiced while polygamy among royal and noble families was observed.
- Women had equal opportunities as men for their spiritual and intellectual development. Apala, Viswavara, Ghosa and Lopamudra were women poets.
- Women could attend the popular assemblies.
- No child marriage, sati practice.
- Social divisions were not rigid.
- The Varna system became prevalent- four divisions of society: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras.
- A Brahmin and Kshatriyas occupied a higher position than others.
- Various sub-castes on the basis of occupation emerged.
- Women were considered inferior and subordinate to men now and also lost their political rights of attending assemblies.
- Child marriages became common.
- The Rig Vedic Aryans were pastoral, cattle rearing people.
- After they permanently settled in North India they began agriculture.
- Carpenters produced chariots and ploughs.
- A variety of articles with copper, bronze and iron were made by workers.
- Spinning was an important occupation – cotton and woolen fabrics.
- Goldsmiths made ornaments.
- The potters made different kinds of vessels for domestic use.
- Trade was conducted by barter system in begining but later shifted to use of gold coins called ‘nishka‘ for large transactions.
- Rivers acted as means of transport.
- More land was put under cultivation by clearing forests. Knowledge of manure saw development.
- Hence, Agriculture became the chief occupation of people growing barley, rice and wheat.
- Industrial activity became specialized with metal work, leather work, carpentry and pottery advancement.
- Internal trade as well as foreign trade also became extensive (they traded with Babylon through sea).
- Hereditary merchants (vaniya) came into existence as a different class.
- Vaisyas indulged in trade and commerce organized themselves into guilds known as ‘ganas‘.
- Coins: Besides ‘nishka’, ‘satamana’– gold coins and ‘krishnala‘ – silver coins were also used as a media of exchange.
- Rig Vedic Aryans worshiped natural forces like earth, fire, wind, rain and thunder by personifying them into many gods.
- Some important Rig Vedic gods – Prithvi (Earth), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Wind), Varuna (Rain) and Indra(Thunder). And ‘Indra’ was most popular. Next came ‘Agni’ – an intermediary between the gods and the people.
- ‘Varuna’ – the upholder of natural order.
- Female Gods – ‘Aditi’ and ‘Ushas’.
- No temples and no idol worship.
- Prayers were offered to gods for rewards.
- Indra and Agni lost their importance.
- Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Rudra (the destroyer) became.
- Sacrifices and the rituals became more elaborate.
- But the importance of prayers declined.
- Priesthood became a hereditary profession. They dictated the rules for these rituals and sacrifices.
- Therefore, by the end of this period there was a strong reaction against this priestly domination (also against elaborate sacrifices and rituals). This led to the rise of Buddhism and Jainism.
Vedic Literature:
Classification of Vedic Period:
The period of Vedic Civilization(1500-500 BCE) is divided into two broad parts –
We will study the following features of the Vedic Civilization under these two periods.
Political Organisation in Vedic Age:
In Early Vedic Age: | In Later Vedic Age: |
Society in Vedic Civilization:
In Early Vedic Age: | In Later Vedic Age: |
Economic Conditions in Vedic Civilization:
In Early Vedic Age: | In Later Vedic Age: |
Religion in Vedic Period:
In Early Vedic Age: | In Later Vedic Age: |
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