The Vedic Age
THE ARYANS
Most historians believe that the Aryans lived in North-east Iran or in central Asia. Due to difficulties in their original homeland, they migrated to other places. Some moved to Europe, others to western Asia, and some moved to India.
VEDIC TEXTS
The Aryans composed the four Vedas-Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. These texts contain religious hymns in praise of different gods and goddesses. These hymns were passed on orally from one generation to another until they were finally written down.
EARLY VEDIC PERIOD
The main source of information about this period is the Rig Veda. This is why this period is also known as the Rig Vedic Age.
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
The Aryan were divided into many tribes, called Janas. Each tribe settled in a particular area. People were loyal towards the tribe to which they belonged. Very often, the different tribes fought against one another.
SOCIAL LIFE
Social divisions The Rigvedic society came to be divided between the fair-skinned Aryans and the dark-skinned Aryans called the dasas or days. Recreation Chariot-racing hunting gambling singing dancing and playing musical instruments such as the flute were the popular forms of entertainment.
ECONOMIC LIFE
The early Aryans moved around from place to place. They domesticated the cow. There are many references to it in the Rig Veda. The Cow was an important element of wealth. Aman,s prosperity was estimated in terms of the number of cows he owned. The horse was also an important animal. It was used to pull chariots.
LATER VEDIC PERIOD:
The period from 1000-600 BC is called the Later Vedic Age. The Three later Vedas-Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda are our main source of information about this period. We also get to know about this period from the Brahmans, the Upanishads, and the two epic-the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
SOCIAL LIFE
Villages The villages were much bigger and better-planed now. Each village consisted of a number of huts. These were built of straw, bamboo, and wood and were usually rectangular in shape. The huts were surrounded by fences. Failed lay close to the huts.
GURUKUL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
The Aryans used to send their sons to the gurukul, the residence of the teacher. Here the pupils stayed as a member of the guru’s family. They learned the Vedas and subjects such as logic, mathematics, grammar, and medicine. Education was imparted orally.
RELIGION LIFE
The gods of the Rig Vedic Age lost they’re important.Prajapati(Brahma), Vishnu, and Shiva became important gods. Brahma was worshipped as the creator of the world. Vishnu is the preserver; and Shiva as the destroyer. The Vedic Age ended around 600 BC when big territorial units called ‘janapada come to be formed. The tribal set up of the Aryans gave way to the formation of republic and monarchies.
Summery
.The Aryans came to India probably from Iron or Central Asia.
.The early Aryans lived in tribal groups, headed by a chief. The chief was assisted by two assemblies-Samiti and sabha.
.Agriculture and cattle-rearing were the main occupations. The cow and horse were important animals.
.In the Later Vedic Period, the Aryans began to use iron and shifted toward the Ganga valley.
.The king became very powerful. Tribes were replaced by the small kingdom.
.The caste system became rigid. Birth determined the caste of a person.
.Condification of laws, the building of roads, and the growth of literature and painting are some achievements of the Romans.
.The nature gods of the earlier period were replaced by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Elaborate rituals and animal sacrifices were practiced.