History

History - Vedic Civilization

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Vedic Civilization is the Civilization during Vedic age which is around 1500 BCE to 600 BCE. The Civilization comprises the traditions and cultures during this period. This is the period after the Indus Valley Civilization. It has started when semi-nomadic pastoral Aryans came to Indo-Gangetic Plains. The Vedic age is classified as Early Vedic Period (Rig Vedic period) which is around 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE and the Later Vedic Period which is around 1000 BCE to 600 BCE

During the Early Vedic Period the Rajan (King) was the head of the Kingdom. The King inherited the Kingdom and was a monarch. The two bodies that existed are Sabha and Samiti. The council of elders formed a Sabha and general assembly of people formed a Samiti. Kula (family) was the basic unit. Multiple families formed a grama, with the leader being Gramani. Visu is a group of villages. Jana is the highest political unit. In the Later Vedic Period small kingdoms combined to form Mahajanapadas. Sabhas and Samitis became unimportant. The importance of the King increased and rituals and sacrifices like Rajasuya, Asvamedha and Vajpeya are performed

During the Early Vedic Period the people were pastoral rearing cattle. They later began agriculture. Initially trade was by barter system but later gold coins called nishka were used for large transactions. The mode of transport were rivers. Carpenters, Goldsmiths, Potters existed. Gold ornaments, vessel, articles with copper, bronze, iron and ploughs and chariots were made. Spinning cotton and woollen fabrics was an important occupation. In the Late Vedic Period agriculture became the chief occupation. Industry became specialized. Foreign trade also began

During the Early Vedic Period the social divisions are not rigid. Graham (family) was the basic unit of society with the head being grahapathi. Polygamy existed in noble and royal families while monogamy existed in others. Women are respected and can attend assemblies. Women had equal opportunities in development. There were no child marriages. In the Later Vedic Period the varna system became prevalent. Women’s position in society deteriorated. Women cannot attend assemblies. Child marriages started. Sub-castes based on occupation emerged.

During the Early Vedic Period natural forces like fire (Agni), wind (Vayu), earth (Prithvi), rain (Varuna) and thunder (Indra). were worshipped. Indra was the most important God. There was no idol worship. Aditi and Usha are the female deities. In the Later Vedic Period Prajapathi (creator), Vishnu (protector) and Rudra (destroyer) became important deities and Indra and Agni lost importance. Elaborate rituals and sacrifices came into place decreasing the importance of prayers. Priests controlled rules of rituals and sacrifices and priesthood became hereditary. This led to the rise of Buddhism and Jainism

Vedic Literature
The Vedic literature comprises of the four Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva), the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas and the Upanishads. They are passed through verbal transmission over the generations. So they are known as Shruti literature.

Vedas
Rig Veda is the oldest of the Vedas. It comprises of 10,600 verses and 1028 hymns and divided into 10 Mandalas (books) with the first and tenth being the youngest and longest. It dates back to around 1800 BCE. It deals with the origin of the world, importance of God and advice for better life. Varna system is mentioned. Gayatri mantra is in Rig Veda.
Sama Veda is the veda of chants and melodies. It has 1549 verses. It contains the Upanishads Chandogya and Kena.
Yajur Veda is a prose of mantras for worship rituals. It has 1875 verses.
Athava Veda deals with the procedures of everyday life. It has 730 hymns and 6000 mantras. It has the Upanishads Mundaka, Prashna and Mandukya. It is a Veda of magic spells and charms.
Brahmanas
They explain the hymns in the Vedas. They are prose texts. They instruct on the performance of Vedic rituals.
Aranyakas
They explain the ritual sacrifice from philosophical point of view. They are meant for ascetics who renounce the material life and live in forests and following religious practices.
Upanishads
They investigate about Atman and the relation between Atman and Brahman. There are 108 Upanishads, 13 of them being major