(Ancient History By Kawal Sir)
(Vedic Age)
R evision Notes, Chapter -Vedic Age
Pleasenote-RevisionNotesaremadekeepinginmindtheideaofRevision,theydonotcoverevery
important fact and idea since understanding and clarity of every student is different.
Introduction to the Vedic Age
● Period marked by the composition of theVedas, the foundational scriptures of Hinduism.
● Derived from ‘Veda’ meaningknowledge.
● Succeeded theIndus Valley Civilization (IVC) (~1900 BCE).
● Transition from a pastoral, semi-nomadic society dependent on cattle wealth to a settled
agrarian society with social stratification and monarchy.
C hronological Division (Based on Discovery of Iron around 1000 BCE)
Aryan Debate & Origin Theories (Only Idea is Required)
Aryan Migration/Invasion Theory (Traditional View)
● Aryans migrated fromCentral Asia(Andronovo & Bactria-Margiana Complex).
● Linguistic evidence:Sanskrit similarity withLatin, Greek, Old Persian.
● Horse & Chariot evidencefound in Central Asia aligns with Rigvedic descriptions.
Indigenous Theory (Unbroken Tradition)
● Aryans werenative to India; evolved fromIVC.
● Literary evidence:Vedas mentionSarasvati River, linking to Harappan culture.
● Archaeologicalevidence: FirealtarsatHarappansites(Kalibangan)pointtowardsanunbroken
chain of socio-religious practices.
Gradual Interaction Theory (Middle Path)
● No sudden invasion, butgradual cultural interactionbetween Harappans & Aryans.
● Painted Grey Ware (PGW)&Copper hoardssuggest cultural overlap.
● Fire altars found atLothal, Kalibanganindicate religious continuity.
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(Ancient History By Kawal Sir)
(Vedic Age)
Sources of Vedic Age
Literary Sources (I hope you remember the difference between Shruti and Smriti)
A rchaeological Sources
Early Vedic Age (1500 BCE - 1000 BCE)
(Iron Discovery - 1000 BCE)
Geography
● Settled in Sapta-Sindhu (Land of Seven Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej,
Sarasvati).
Economy
● Cattle-based economy(cows = wealth indicator).
● Limited agriculture, main crop:Barley (Yava).
● Barter system, no concept of land ownership.
● Rig Vedic Age people did not lived in cities, Most of them wererural
● inhabitants.
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(Ancient History By Kawal Sir)
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Political & Social Structure
Religion & Beliefs
● Nature worship(Indra, Agni, Varuna, Pushan).
● No temples/idols, focus onyajnas & sacrifices.
● PrimarypurposeofWorship -protectionandmaterialgains,Notfocusedonspiritualupliftment
or philosophical concepts.
● Animal sacrifices - Afeature of Tribal societies as explained in class.
L ater Vedic Age (1000 BCE - 600 BCE)
Geographic Expansion
● Use of Iron (~1000 BCE)→ Enabled expansion intoGanga-Yamuna Doab.
Economy
Agriculture-based Economy:Agriculture became the mainstay of the Vedic people . The growth of
a griculture in the Later Vedic period was made possible by the availability of vast tracts of fertile alluvial
lands of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab and the middle Ganga valley-an area.
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(Vedic Age)
Political Changes
● Territorial identity replaced tribal identity.
● Kingshipbecamehereditary,assembliesdeclined,willleadtotheriseofmonarchialstatesin
the period of Janapadas and Mahajanapadas.
● Taxes introduced:
○ Bali(voluntary offerings)
○ Shulka(trade tax)
○ Bhaga(share of agricultural produce)
Society & Varna System
Religion & Philosophical Transition
● Increased sacrifices (yajnas),priestly dominance.
○ Vedic Texts mentions about rituals at the end of which Horse was sacrificed like
A shwamedha, Rajsuya, Vajpeya.
● Prajapati (Creator God)replaced Indra.
● Signs of idol worship appeared, though temples still absent.
● Philosophical opposition→ Birth ofUpanishadic thought(reaction against excessive rituals).
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