VEDIC AGE — SOCIETY, POLITY, ECONOMY AND RELIGION

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

VEDIC AGE — SOCIETY, POLITY, ECONOMY AND RELIGION

1. Introduction and Chronology

• The Vedic Age broadly refers to the period from about 1500 BCE to 600 BCE, based mainly on the Vedas and associated literature.
• It is commonly divided into the Early Vedic or Rig Vedic phase (c. 1500–1000 BCE) and the Later Vedic phase (c. 1000–600 BCE).
• NIOS treats this period as a major phase in the transition from pastoral tribal society to settled agrarian and territorial states. (NIOS Digital)

2. Vedic Literature

• The word Veda means knowledge, and the four Vedas are the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.
• The Rigveda is the earliest Vedic text and contains hymns addressed to various deities.
• The Samaveda is closely associated with chants and music, while the Yajurveda deals largely with sacrificial formulae.
• The Atharvaveda contains hymns, prayers, charms and material relating to everyday life.
• Later Vedic literature includes the Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads.

3. Geographical Expansion

• Early Vedic communities were concentrated mainly in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent, particularly the Sapta-Sindhu region.
• During the Later Vedic period, settlements gradually expanded eastward into the Ganga–Yamuna plains.
• The greater use of iron tools facilitated forest clearance and agricultural expansion.

4. Political Organisation

• Early Vedic society was organised around tribes or jana, headed by a rajan.
• The king was initially closer to a tribal chief than an absolute monarch.
• Popular assemblies such as sabha and samiti participated in political and social affairs.
• In the Later Vedic period, kingship became more powerful and hereditary, while larger territorial units called janapadas began to emerge. (NIOS Digital)

5. Society