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Complete Notes on Vedic Civilization | Literature | Classification | Political Organisation

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.
  • Vedic Literature: 

    • 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.
      1. Rig Veda – Earliest veda. Has 1028 hymns in praise Gods.
      2. Yajur Veda – Has details of rules to be followed during sacrifices.
      3. Sam Veda – Has a collection of songs. The origins of Indian music are traced to it.
      4. 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.

    Classification of Vedic Period:

    The period of Vedic Civilization(1500-500 BCE) 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 features of the Vedic Civilization under these two periods.

    Political Organisation in Vedic Age:

    In Early Vedic Age:In Later Vedic Age:
    • ‘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.

    Society in Vedic Civilization:

    In Early Vedic Age:In Later Vedic Age:
    • 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.

    Economic Conditions in Vedic Civilization:

    In Early Vedic Age:In Later Vedic Age:
    • 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.

    Religion in Vedic Period:

    In Early Vedic Age:In Later Vedic Age:
    • 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.

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