The Vedic Age is an important part of ancient Indian history. The Vedas were composed in this period and this gives this age the name.
- It was from 1500BC – 600 BC
- It is divided into 2 parts
- Rigvedic Age (1500 – 100BC)
- Post Vedic Age (1000 – 600BC)
Theories related to Aryans
- According to BalGangadhar Tilak “Aryans came from Arctic region”
- According to Max Muller “Aryans came from Central Asia region”
- According to Boghazkoi inscription “Aryans came from Central Asia region”
NOTE – The Boghazkoi inscription is in Asia Minar, Turkey
NOTE – From the inscription we get details of Vedic gods which were “Indra, Mtra, Natsya, Varuna” etc.
NOTE – The initial residence of Aryan was “Sapt – Saindhav Pradesh”
Vedas
- There are total 4 Vedas
- Vedas are compiled by “Veda Vyas”
Rig Veda –
- It is recited by “Hotra/Hotri”
- It has total 10 Mandals
- There are total 1028 Hymns in it
- It is world’s oldest religious book
- It is written in vedic Sanskrit
10 Mandals –
- 2 – 7 Mandals are the oldest Mandals, also called “Family/ VanshMandal”
- 8 – 9 are mixed Mandal
- 1 & 10 are new Mandals
NOTE –3rd Mandal is related to the “Gayatri Mantra”
NOTE – Gayatri Mantra is about “Lord Sun”
Varna System –
- It is mentioned in the “Purush Sukta” of 10th Mandal
- There were 4 Varnas
- Brahaman
- Kshatriya
- Vaishya
- Shudra
Social life of Rig Vedic age –
- Male based society
- Female condition was very good
- There was no Sati pratha
- Widow remarriage was allowed
- Child marriage was not allowed
- Niyog system was allowed
- Slave system was there
Yajur Veda –
- Yajur means “Sacrifice formula/Prayer”
- It is recited by “Adharvpush”
- It is related to “Sacrifice formula”
- It is divided into 2 parts
- Krishna Yajur Ved
- Shukla Yajur Ved
NOTE – Krishna Yajur Ved is in “Prose” and Shukla Yajur Ved is in “Poetry”
Sama Veda –
- It is recited by “Udgata/Udgatri”
- It is related to “Music”
- It is also known as “Mother of Indian Classical Music”
- It is 1st book of music
NOTE – The 1st written evidence of earthquake & famine is found in Sama Veda
NOTE – Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda are collectively known as “Trived”
Atharv Veda –
- It is recited by “Arthavanga/Brahma”
- It is related to “black magic/superstition”
NOTE – The 1st written evidence of “Swyamvar sabha” is found in Athrv Veda
Brahamana
- They explain the hymns of Vedas
- Written in prose
Veda | Brahamana |
Rig Veda | Aitrey & Kaushitaki |
Yajur Veda | Shatpatha & Taitriya |
Sama Veda | Panchvisha, Chandogaya & Jaimniya |
Atharv Veda | Gopatha |
Aranyakas
- They were written in forests (Aranya)
- They were written by Sagas
- They are related to mysticism
- There are total 7 Aranyakas
Veda | Aranyaka |
Rig Veda | Aitrey & Kaushitaki |
Yajur Veda | Shatpatha & Taitriya |
Sama Veda | Panchvisha, Chandogaya & Jaimniya |
NOTE – Atharv Veda doesn’t have any Aranyak
Upnishads
- it means “coming near to teacher for knowledge”
- it is also known as “Vedanta”
- it is related to philosophy
NOTE – “Satyamev Jayate” is mentioned in the “Mundakoupnishadh”
Vedic Age Notes
Political life of Vedic Age
Administrative unit | Head |
Kula | Kulapa |
Gram | Gramini |
Vis | Vispati |
Jana | Rajan |
Vedic Assembly
It included
- Sabha
- Samiti
- Vidatha
- Gana
Important Vedic officers
- Purohit
- Mahishi
- Senani
Upvedas
Veda | Upveda |
Rig Veda | Ayurveda/ Medicine |
Yajur Veda | Dhanurveda/ Archery |
Sama Veda | Gandharveda/ Music |
Athrva Veda | Shil[veda |
Vedic Rivers
Vedic name of river | Modern name of river |
Vitasta | Jhelum |
Parushni | Ravi |
Askani | Chenab |
Shatudri | Sutlej |
Vipasa | Beas |
NOTE – There were total 40 rivers in the Vedic age
NOTE – In the Nadi Shutak of Rigveda there are 21 rivers
Main gods of Rig Vedic Age
Indra –
- God of rain
- Fort destroyer
- Mentioned 250 times in Rig Veda
Agni –
- God of fire
- Mentioned 200 times in Rig Veda
Main gods of Post Vedic Age
- Brahma
- Vishnu
- Mahesh
NOTE – Cow was the holy animal of Vedic age
Ashram System
- It is mentioned in “JabaloUpnishadh”
- There were total 4 Ashrams
- Brahmcharya
- Grihstha
- Vanaprastha
- Sanyasi
Epics
There are 2 most famous epics of Vedic age –
- Ramayana (composed by Valmiki)
- Mahabharat (Ved Vyas)
Read – Vedic Age Notes In Hindi