The Vedic Period

Literary Sources
● Vedic literature was written in sanskrit.
● The term ‘veda’ has been derived from the sanskrit word ‘vid’ meaning knowledge.

Early Vedic Texts Later Vedic Texts

● Most hymns of the Rigveda are ● Remaining Vedas & their branches.
composed.

Shruti Smriti

It is believed that the Shruti was revealed to Composed by the Rishis.

Vedas
Rig Veda
● ‘The first testament of mankind’ → oldest religious text in the world
● 10 mandalas
● Composed in the early vedic period
● Hymns from sages → gods
● Hymns passed on orally from teachers to disciples.
● Authentic source of knowledge of the lives of people at the time.
● Much of the Indian philosophy is based on the Rig Veda.
● Contains ‘Gayatri Mantra’.

Sama Veda
● ‘Sama’ → ‘sweet song’ or ‘the melody’
● Some hymns borrowed from the Rig veda.
● Hymns meant to be sung by priests during sacrifice.

Yajur Veda
● Deals with hymns recited during the performance of Yajanas.
● Hymns throw light on the social and religious life of aryans.

Atharva Veda
● Hyms deal with magic and charm. Apart from that: gyan [knowledge], karma
[actions], upasana [invocation] and even medicines for the treatment of various
diseases.
● Most hymns taken from the Rig Veda.
Brahmanas
Explain the social and religious importance of rituals as well as sacrifices.

Aranyakas
● ‘Forest books’ → hermits & students living in forests
● From concluding part of brahmanas.
● Themes: mysticism & philosophy.

The Upanishads
● Philosophical commentaries on vedas.
● Explain Karma, Moksha, and Maya in detail.
● Basic source of Indian philosophy.
● Kena Upanishad, Chandogya Upanishad.

Importance of Vedas
● Storehouse of knowledge about the vedic age. The social, economic, political and
religious aspects of life of people in the Vedic Age are reflected in the Vedic
literature.
● Although religious in nature, Vedas are a source of information on music, history,
philosophy, medicine, architecture, art, grammar, astronomy and metrics.

The Epics

Ramayana
● Originally composed in Sanskrit → Maharishi Valmiki.
● Rama, the son of king Dashrath of Ayodhya and his 1st wife Kaushalya was to be
crowned king. However, Kaikey reminded Dashrath of an old promise to grant her
any wish and wicked that her son Bharata was crowned king and Rama to be sent in
exile for 14 yrs. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita went to the forest. The demon king
Ravana disguised as a sanyasi abducted Sita to Lanka. With the help of Sugriva and
Hanuman, Rama defeated Ravana, proceeded home with Sita and Lakshman and
was crowned king.

Mahabharat
● Sanskrit → Vyasya [author]. Originally called Jaya → Bharata →
Mahabharata
● Ruler of Hastinapur Dhritarashtra had 100 sons → kauravas, & his brother
Pandu had 5 sons → Pandavas. Pandu’s eldest son Yudhishtira was made
king which made Dritrishtra’s eldest son Duryodhana angry. One day, on
losing a game of dice, Yudhishtir lost his kingdom and Draupadi and the
Pandavas had to go into exile. After exile, Duryodhana refused to give
Yudhistira Hastinapur which caused a war fought for 18 days which the
Pandava won. Arjuna who was reluctant to fight was given a discourse by
Krishna [Bhagavad Gita] and prevailed upon him to do his duty. As a result
Yudhishtira became king.
Importance of Epics
● Provide information on the political institutions and social and economic organisation
of the epic age.
● Provide information on the vedic territories; their weapons and army.
○ Kshatriyas were entrusted with the defence of their kingdoms and dying on
the battlefield was considered the noblest act in a warrior’s life.
● The great heroes in the epics were embodiments of high moral principles and left an
impact on the successive generation.
● The Bhagwad Gita elaborates on the karma philosophy and immortality of the soul.
● Reveal high ideals of family life of the Aryans.

Archeological Sources

Iron Artefacts
Ayas were identified with Shyama [Krishna] meaning black and hence we know that
Ayas=iron.

Agriculture
● On moving to the northern and eastern parts of India, the Aryans required iron tools
to clear the dense forests formed due to heavy rainfall which could not be cleared by
copper and bronze tools. The iron tools also helped them get the land cleared
relatively faster.
● Through the use of plough heads, sickles and hoes they were able to cultivate vast
tracts of land.
● Slowly, they gained knowledge about season, manuring and irrigation causing
enlargement of settlements like Hastinapur and Kaushambi.
● Production of more rice, wheat, etc., helped improve living conditions for people.

Occupation
● Use of iron gave rise to new trades by providing durable implements.
● This gave rise to occupations such as weaving, spinning, tanning, carpentry and tool
making.

Defence
● Iron was used in making swords, armour, and shields because of its durability and
easy availability.

Pottery
● PGW [Painted grey ware] & GW [Grey ware] belong to the rig vedic age.
○ IMP sites: Bhagwanpura, Dadheri & Nagar
● PGW → Ganga yamuna doab
○ Later vedic period
○ Fine, smooth and even coloured pottery
○ Well worked- high quality clay and geometric patterns painted on it in black.
○ Floral patterns and sun symbols
 ○ Open mouthed bowl and dishes.
● NPBW [northern black polished ware]
○ Glossy and shining
○ Used by people who dominated the economic and social life of this period.

Early Vedic Age Later Vedic Age

Society Society
1. Family was the basic unit. 1. Joint family prevailed
2. No rigid caste system 2. Rigid caste system
3. Women enjoyed equal rights 3. Status of women declined
4. Gurukul system of education 4. Gurukul system further enlarged
5. Worship of nature and natural 5. Religion became more complex.
phenomenon
6. People worshipped Agni, Surya, 6. Brahma, Rama and Krishna as
Indra, etc. incarnations of Shiva and Vishnu
were worshipped.
7. Milk, barley, fruits, vegetables and 7. Consumption of meat decreased.
meat. Rice became a staple cereal.
Economy Economy
1. Main occupation was domestication 1. Main occupation was agriculture
of animals and agriculture was while domestication of animals
secondary. continued.
2. Cattle was an IMP source of wealth 2. Land was an IMP source of wealth.