1. The Vedic Period
(Early & Later)
History Chapter 2 & 3
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2. Scope & Syllabus
• Sources
a. Literary Sources: Vedas & Epics
b. Archaeological Sources: Iron & Pottery
• Brief Comparative Study of Early & Later Vedic
Society and Economy.
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3. Introduction
• The period when Aryans first settled in
India is known as Early Vedic Period
i.e. between 1500- 1000 BC.
• And the period between 1000 to 500 BC
when Aryans developed and started using
Iron and other metals is called as the
Later Vedic Period.
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4. Sources
Literary
Vedas Epics
Archaeological
Iron Pottery
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5. Literary
Sources
Vedas Epics
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6. Literary Sources: Introduction
• The Vedic texts are divided into two broad groups
namely:
a) Early Vedic Texts (1500-1000 BC) – Rig Veda
b) Later Vedic Texts (1000-500 BC)- Other three Vedas
and their Branches (Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
etc.)
• Vedic literature was written in Sanskrit.
• The term ‘Veda’ is derived from Sanskrit word
‘Vid’ which means knowledge.
• Vedic Literature is divided into two parts: Shruti
and Smriti.
• Shruti was given by Gods to Sages and they passed
that knowledge orally. And Smriti was composed
by Rishis/Sages.
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7. • The Vedic Literature can be classified into the
following categories:
1. Four Vedas: Rig Veda, Sama Veda,
Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda and
their Samhitas (hymns & prayers).
2. The Brahmanas (prose texts that explain
the meaning of the hymns) attached to each
Samhita.
3. The Aranyakas (forest books).
4. The Upanishads (philosophical thoughts
of Sages).
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8. 1) Vedas
1] Four Vedas
a) Rig Veda: It is the oldest religious text in the
world. Hence called as ‘the first testament of
mankind.’ It was composed during Early Vedic
period. It contains hymns dedicated by sages to
the Gods. It contains the famous ‘Gayatri
Mantra.’
b) Sama Veda: ‘Sama’ means ‘sweet song/
melody’. These hymns are sung by the priests at
the time of sacrifice.
c) Yajur Veda : It deals with rituals and hymns
recited during performing Yajnas.
d) Atharva Veda: It deals with magic and charm.
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9. 2] The Bramhanas: These were written in prose
after the Vedas.
3] The Aranyakas: These are known as ‘forest
books’ written for the guidance of hermits and
the students living in forests. It is the concluding
part of the Bramhanas.
4] The Upanishads: They are philosophical
thoughts of sages on Soul, God, Ultimate truth,
Karma, Moksha & Maya. It’s the foundation on
which the Later Vedic Literature rests.
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10. 2) Epics
Importance of Epics:
1. It gives information about social, cultural and
political life of the people of the Epic Age.
2. It gives information about various kingdoms, their
armies and weapons used by them.
3. Epics are considered as finest literary works with
high literary and philosophical values.
4. The great heroes of these Epics followed high
moral principles and it made a great impact on
successive generations.
5. Epics reveal the importance of family.
6. ‘Bhagwad Gita’ explains Karma and immortality of
soul.
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11. Ramayana
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12. a) Ramayana
• Ramayana was originally composed in Sanskrit in 3rd
century by Maharishi Valmiki.
• The story of Ramayana revolves around Rama and
abduction of his wife Sita by a demon king- Ravana.
King Dashratha the ruler of Ayodhya had four sons
and three queens.
Rama was son of the eldest queen Kaushalya and was
the heir to Dashratha’s throne.
He married Sita and later was crowned as the King of
Ayodhya.
 Then, King Dashratha’s second queen Kaikeyi
reminded him of the promise to grant her a wish.
Kaikeyi asked King Dashratha to send Rama to exile for
14 years as she wanted her son Bharat to be the King.
Rama along with Sita and his brother Laxmana went to
forest.
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13. Rama reached the territory near river Godavari in
the province called Janasthana. It was a colony of
Rakshasas (demons) connected with Ravana. Rama
rescued the sages living in the region and killed
Rakshasas who had ill treated sages.
To take revenge, in disguise of a sanyasi, the
demon king Ravana abducted Sita and took her to
Lanka.
To rescue Sita, Rama took help of Sugriva and
Hanuman, crossed the ocean and heroically
defeated Ravana.
After completing14 years exile he returned home
and was again crowned as the King.
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14. 14

15. b) Mahabharata- written by Ved Vyas
• King of Hastinapur- Dhritarashtra had 100 sons
known as Kauravas.
• Dhritarashtra’s brother Pandu who had died
earlier, had five sons known as Pandavas.
• Duryodhana was the eldest son of Dhritarashtra
and Yudhisthira was the eldest son of Pandu.
• Dhritarashtra instead of his son Duryodhana
declared Yudhisthira as his successor, this caused
enmity and jealousy between the cousins.
• Once during the game of dice with Duryodhana,
Yudhisthira lost his kingdom as well as his wife
Draupadi. As the agreement, Pandavas had to go
into exile.
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16. • After completion of exile, Pandavas asked Kauravas
to return their kingdom but Duryodhana refused to
give anything. So, the war known as ‘Mahabharata’
followed.
• Arjuna, a Pandava wasn’t ready to fight. So, Lord
Krishna gave him a discourse and told him to
complete his duty. This discourse at the battlefield
is compiled in the form of ‘Bhagwad Gita.’ It forms
a part of the Mahabharata.
• The war lasted for 18 days. In the war, Kauravas
were killed and at the end Yudhisthira became the
ruler of Hastinapur.
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17. • Guru of Pandavas and Kauravas: Kripacharya &
Dronacharya
• Indrapastha: new capital of pandavas.
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18. Archaeological
Sources
Iron Pottery
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19. 1) Iron
• The discovery of iron marks an important stage of
human history.
• In India, Iron Age began in 1000 BC.
• Iron was a harder metal than copper and bronze.
And it was cheap and available in plenty. So, man
could use iron to make a livelihood. It was used in
following areas:
a. Agriculture:
• Discovery of iron and its use in agriculture gave rise
to economic development.
• Iron was used to make Axes which helped them to
clear forests and cultivate the land.
• They also made iron plough-heads, sickles and hoes.
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20. b. Occupation:
Use of iron gave rise to new trades like weaving,
spinning, carpentry, tanning and tool-making.
c. Defence:
Iron was used to make weapons like swords,
armours, shields and slings.
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21. 2) Pottery
• Pottery forms an important source of information.
• Grey Ware (GW) and Painted Grey Ware
(PGW) pottery were discovered at different sites.
• PGW is a very fine, smooth and even-coloured
pottery.
• It was made of high quality clay with geometric
patterns painted on it in black.
• Few had floral patterns on it. Pottery includes
open-mouthed bowls and dishes.
• Later, a new type of pottery called as Northern
Black Polished Ware (NBPW) was seen. It
was glossy and shining. It was used by the ruling
class.
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22. Comparative Study of Early & Later Vedic Society
Early Vedic Society Later Vedic Society
Joint Family System wasn’t seen. Joint Family System was seen.
Women enjoyed equal status Status of Women reduced
Rigid Caste System wasn’t seen. Rigid Caste System was seen.
Gurukul system of Education was seen. Gurukul system of education was further
continued and enlarged.
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23. Comparative Study of Early & Later Vedic Economy
Early Vedic Economy Later Vedic Economy
Domestication of animals was primary
occupation and Agriculture was
secondary occupation.
Agriculture was primary occupation and
domestication of animals was secondary
occupation.
Cattle was important source of wealth. Land was important source of wealth.
Many were engaged in trade and
commerce.
Traders guilds had formed and with use
of coins & better transport facility led to
growth in trade and commerce.
Occupations included weaving,
carpentry, pottery, crafts in gold and
silver etc.
Besides other occupations, some new
occupations included physicians,
musicians etc.
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25. FAMILY
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
• family was the basic unit of
society,
• joint family system was
seen,
• Rig Vedic society was
patriarchal,
• Grihyapati was the head of the
family.
• No joint family system was
seen
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26. POSITION OF WOMEN
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
• Women were treated equal with
men
• They took part in all social and
religious functions and gatherings.
They could offer sacrifices with
husbands.
• They were given education
• They had freedom to choose their
husbands
• Monogamy was usually practiced,
however polygamy was also seen.
• Widows were allowed to re-marry
• Child marriage, Sati, Purdah didn’t
exist.
• Women scholars existed who
composed hymns and knew all sacred
scriptures.
• Status of Women reduced
• They took part in all social
and religious functions and
gatherings.
• Few women received
education of high order.
• Widows weren’t allowed to
re-marry.
• Polygamy was more common
especially in higher sections of
the society. The discourses of
women are preserved in
Upanishads.
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27. FOUR FOLD VARNA (CASTE) SYSTEM
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
• Early Vedic society was divided
into four varnas(orders):
a) Brahmins: who explained
vedic texts and performed
religious ceremonies
b) Kshatriyas: warriors, nobles &
ruling class
c) Vaisyas: common people
engaged in trade, agriculture
and industry.
d) Shudras: servants and
laborers, they didn’t own any
property/land.
• Society had mobility. Food
cooked by Shudras wasn’t
banned. There were no
restrictions on inter-marriages
or change of occupation.
• Later society was also divided into
the four varnas similar to early
Vedic age.
• Culture of sacrifice increased so
Brahmins enjoyed powers and
privileges that of Kshatriyas.
• These privileges and powers
weren’t enjoyed by Vaisyas &
Shudras.
• New varnas likes chariot makers,
tanners, carpenters, smiths,
fishermen came into existence.
• Membership of Varna became
hereditary.
• Life of Shudras was miserable
during later vedic period. They were
called as ‘untouchables’ weren't
allowed to learn sacred texts,
perform sacrifices and were forced
to stay outside the village.
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28. Four Ashmarams or Stages of Life
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
No Such Concept. • Man’s life was divided into four stages of
25 years each.
1st stage (1-25 years)-
Brahmacharya Ashram: devoted to
education for development of body &
mind
2nd stage (25-50 years)- Grihastha
Ashram: when he gets married and
leads a family life
3rd stage (50-75 years)-
Vanaprastha Ashram: spent in
meditation & prayers
4th stage (75-100 years)- Sanyasa
Ashram: renounces worldly pleasures &
lives in forest as Sanyasi.
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30. Gurukul System of Education
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
• Gurukul System of
Education existed
during the Early Vedic
period.
• It was at the basic level.
• Pupils lived in
Gurukuls.
• Gurukul System of Education had become
well established during Later Vedic period.
• Pupil stayed with Guru for mental,
physical and spiritual development.
• They learnt Vedic Literature,
Mathematics, Law, Astronomy,
Astrology, Logic & Ethics.
• No fees were charged, but pupils
voluntarily paid contribution known as
Gurudakshina when they completed
their education.
• Children belonging to rich & poor had to
stay together.
• To run the Gurukula pupils had to
perform various duties like gathering
fuel, begged alms (bhiksha) from
neighbouring villages, working in fields
attached to Gurukula.
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31. 31
Vedic Economy

32. Agriculture
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
• They stayed in villages.
• They prayed for good rain, good
harvest, good health and large herds
of cattle.
• Agriculture was primary
occupation.
• Barley/ Yava was the only grain
known.
• Domestication of animals was
secondary occupation.
• Cattle formed important dana (gift)
made to priests.
• Gomat: was the term used for
wealthy person who owned many
cattle (cows and bulls.)
• Other animals domesticated included
dog, sheep, ox, goat and horse.
• In addition to Barley/Yava new
crop Vrihi/Rice was
popular.
• Other crops like wheat, millet/
bajra and sugarcane were also
produced by them during Later
Vedic period.
• Domestication of animals was
also seen in Later Vedic period.
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33. Crafts
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
• They were engaged in
weaving clothes.
• Metal workers made
weapons,
implements and
ornaments.
• AYAS (metal) mentioned
in Rig Veda was Copper or
Bronze.
• Iron was used in large
quantities during later Vedic
period.
• Crafts such as leather-
working, making of
jewellery and chariot-
making developed during
this period.
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34. Trade & Industry
Early (Rig) Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
• They traded clothes &
leather goods.
• Barter system was
practiced.
• Cow was the standard
unit of value.
• They used horses and
bullocks to carry goods.
• They also transported
goods through inland
rivers.
• Many changes were seen in
trade and commerce.
• Nishka & Satmana (coins)
were used as units of value.
• Ships were used & inland
maritime trade flourished.
• Guilds were formed which
controlled prices and ensures
quality of goods.
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35. 35
Nishka & Satmana