Vedic Age
Key notes
The Vedic Age is reconstructed mainly from Vedic literature, archaeology, linguistics and later texts. It is generally divided into:
- Early Vedic or Rigvedic period: approximately 1500–1000 BCE.
- Later Vedic period: approximately 1000–600 BCE.
Vedic literature
- Rigveda: Collection of hymns; earliest Vedic text.
- Samaveda: Melodies and chants.
- Yajurveda: Ritual formulas.
- Atharvaveda: Spells, prayers and everyday concerns.
- Brahmanas: Ritual explanations.
- Aranyakas: Speculative and meditative texts.
- Upanishads: Philosophical teachings.
- Vedangas: Auxiliary disciplines for understanding the Vedas.
Early Vedic geographical area
- Mainly the Sapta-Sindhu region.
Important rivers:
- Indus.
- Sarasvati.
- Drishadvati.
- Ravi.
- Beas.
- Sutlej.
- Chenab.
- Jhelum.
- The Ganga was less important in the early phase.
Later Vedic expansion
- Movement toward the western and upper Ganga-Yamuna plains.
- Greater use of iron.
- Expansion of agriculture.
- Formation of territorial kingdoms.
- Growth of social stratification and rituals.
Economy
Early Vedic period
- Pastoralism was important.
- Cattle were a major form of wealth.
- Agriculture was present but less dominant.
- Barley was an important crop.
Later Vedic period
- Agriculture became the economic base.
- Iron tools helped forest clearance.
- Rice cultivation expanded.
- Permanent settlements and territorial states developed.
Religion
Early Vedic deities:
- Indra.
- Agni.
- Soma.
- Varuna.
- Surya.
- Ushas.
- Sacrificial rituals were important.
Later Vedic period witnessed:
- Greater ritual complexity.
- Rise of Brahmanical authority.
- Increasing importance of Prajapati, Vishnu and Rudra.
- Philosophical questioning in the Upanishads.
MCQs
The earliest Vedic text is:
- A. Rigveda
- B. Samaveda
- C. Yajurveda
- D. Atharvaveda
Answer: A
The Early Vedic period is mainly associated with:
- A. Sapta-Sindhu region
- B. Tamilakam
- C. Deccan plateau only
- D. Bengal delta
Answer: A
The most prominent deity in the Rigvedic period was:
- A. Indra
- B. Buddha
- C. Shiva in his later Puranic form
- D. Mahavira
Answer: A
In the Later Vedic period, the economic base increasingly shifted toward:
- A. Agriculture
- B. Sea piracy
- C. Hunting alone
- D. Nomadic trade only
Answer: A
The Upanishads are mainly associated with:
- A. Philosophical speculation
- B. Harappan town planning
- C. Buddhist monastic rules only
- D. Roman administration
Answer: A