The Vedic Period (or Vedic Age) (c. 1500 – c. 600 B.C.E.) is the period in the history of India during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, were being composed. This Vedic period is divides into two sub-periods i.e. Early Vedic period (1500 B.C.E – 1000 B.C.E) and Later Vedic period (1000 B.C.E – 600 B.C.E).

The Early Vedic period (1500 B.C.E – 1000 B.C.E) is also known as the Rig Vedic period. In this period, the Indo-Aryans believed mostly in pastoral activities, limited agriculture with a smaller economy. They raised cattle, sheep, and goats, which became the symbols of abundance or wealth.

Features:

•   Primarily, the Aryans lived in a region or land known as “Sapta Sindhu” or “the land of the seven rivers.” The land of seven rivers includes seven rivers which were, Vipash (Beas), Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta (Jhelum), Sutudri (Satluj), Asikni (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), and Saraswati.

•   A king ruled the Political Structure in the Early Vedic period.

•   Monarchical form of government is known as Rajan.

•   Patriarchal families, in which the Jana was the biggest social unit in the Early Vedic period or the Rig Vedic period or times.

•   Social gathering: kula (family) – grama – Jana – visu.

•   The tribal assemblies were known as the Samitis and Sabha. Some examples of the tribal Realms are, namely, Matsyas, Bharatas, Purus, and Yadus.

•   The Social structure in the Early Vedic period

o  The women relished a reputable position, as they were allowed to attend Samitis and Sabhas.

o  Many of the women present there were poets (Lopamudra, Ghosa, Apala, and Viswavara).

o  Cattle, peculiarly cows, became essential.

o  There was no practice of child marriage.

o  Monogamy was a norm, but polygamy was found among noble families and royalty.

o  Social differentiations existed but were not hereditary and rigid.

•   The Economic Structure in the Early Vedic period

o  Cattle-raising people and pastoral peoples.

o  They exercised agriculture.

o  They had horse carriages.

o  The river was used as the medium for transportation.

o  Woolen and Cotton fabrics were spun around and used.

o  At first, the barter system managed the trade, but later on, those coins were known as “Nishka,” which came into use.

Later Vedic Age (between 1000 and 600 B.C.) is the period that followed the Rig Vedic Era.In this period they moved to the Upper Gangetic basin. The Aryans ruled Northern India from the Himalayas to the Vindhyas during the period illustrated by Later Samhitas.

Features:

•   The Sama Veda Samhita, the Yajurveda Samhita, the Atharvaveda Samhita, Brahmanas, and Upanishads of all four Vedas, and eventually the two great narratives Ramayana and the Mahabharata—were written during this period.

•   And this period stretches its primary dependency based on Vedic texts compiled after the Veda.

•   Caste System

o  The caste system was the main characteristic of the Later Vedic Age.

o  These four major works resulted in the formation of four major castes over time.

o  The priestly caste known as the Brahmana was made up of those who fulfilled religious responsibilities. The warrior class known as the Kshatriya was made up of those who fought in conflicts. The Vaisya were those who pursued agriculture, trade, or other constructive endeavours. Finally, individuals who provided social and menial services were referred to as Sudras, the lowest caste.

o  Women lost their prior prestige during the later Vedic period.

o  Polygamy, or a man marrying multiple wives, became a social vice. Because of their affluence, the upper castes used this system.

o  There was also a case of child marriage. The dowry system was in use. Women’s property rights were increasingly eroded.

•   The economy in the Later Vedic Period

o  Earthen pots and dishes constructed of painted grey pottery were discovered during excavations in the upper Gangetic basin. As a result, these locations are known as the Painted Grey Ware sites or places.

o  In the late Vedic period, farming was the primary source of income, and people lived in settled communities.

o  Ploughing was accomplished with a timber ploughshare.

o  The Vedic people kept growing barley, but rice (vrihi) and wheat (godhuma) became their main crops throughout this time.

o  During 1000 BC, iron became popular, and it was discovered within tombs in Pakistan and Baluchistan.

o  From circa 800 BC, iron was utilised to produce weaponry such as arrows and spearheads in Uttar Pradesh.

•   Later Vedic Religion

o  Much of the Rig-Veda religion’s purity was lost during the later Vedic period.

o  The priestly class’s dominance grew stronger.

o  The priests devised complex devotional rituals.

o  Sacrifices became more widespread as time went on.

o  Indra and Agni, the two most powerful gods, have lost their prominence.

o  In the later Vedic period, on the other hand, Prajapati (The Creator) ascended to the throne.

o  Some of the Rigvedic period’s minor gods, such as Rudra (the god of animals) and Vishnu, rose to prominence (the preserver and protector of people).

•   The epic period is estimated to be roughly from 1000 to 600 B.C. and is named so because two great Indian epic Ramayana and Mahabharata were created during this time.

•   The Ramayana deals with the conflict of the Aryans with the then natives of India and of the penetration of the Aryan culture.

•   The Mahabharata records the conflict between two claimants to the throne, and besides reflecting the culture of the age the story is said to symbolize the struggle between the forces of good and evil.

•   The society was basically rural in nature.The main economic activity was agriculture and small-scale industries like arts, handicrafts, pottery, etc. thrived.

•   The rulers were hereditary and the King was the highest authority who had the power to punish and pardon.

•   The priests were given the task of performing the religious rituals and sacrifices.

•   Though caste system was there, it was not too rigid. A warrior or an out caste could become a priest if he was adopted by one.

•   Horse racing, hunting, gambling, etc. were all introduced during the Epic Age in India.