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The Vedic age or the Vedic period (c. 1500 BCE to 500 BCE), the duration of the period of the Bronze Age, and the young Iron Age of the continuum of India. The Vedic period includes the Vedic literature, Vedas (c. 1300 BCE—900 BCE), written in the north part of the Indian landmass. The Vedas are the religious texts made for the modern-day religion of Hinduism, which the Kuru Kingdom also built up. The Vedas consist of the information and the details of life during that period that has been construed to be the history and contain primary sources for a better knowledge of that period. This article will tell you about the characteristics of the early Vedic period and the differences between the early Vedic Age and the later Vedic Age.
The Vedic Period (c. 1750 BCE to 500 BCE)
The Vedic periods relate to the time continuum from approximately 1750 BCE to 500 BCE. The Aryans or the Indo-Aryans were established in the north part of India and brought their specific religious practices or traditions.
The civilization of the Vedic period is considered centralised in the Indian landmass in the northwest part of it, which is propagated around 1200 to the Plains of the Ganges, 630 million acres of fertile and flat land which is named after the river Ganga. It covers most of the region of eastern and northern parts of India, the major part of Bangladesh, and the eastern region of Pakistan. Many students or scholars consider that the Vedic Civilization was a blend of the Harappan, Indus Valley, and Indo-Aryan cultures.
The Characteristics of the Early Vedic period (c.1500 to 1000 BCE)
The Early Vedic period is also known as the Rig Vedic period. In this period, the Indo-Aryans (c. 1750 BCE to 1000 BCE) 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.
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
- The women relished a reputable position, as they were allowed to attend Samitis and Sabhas.
- Many of the women present there were poets (Lopamudra, Ghosa, Apala, and Viswavara).
- Cattle, peculiarly cows, became essential.
- There was no practice of child marriage.
- Monogamy was a norm, but polygamy was found among noble families and royalty.
- Social differentiations existed but were not hereditary and rigid.
The Economic Structure in the Early Vedic period
- Cattle-raising people and pastoral peoples.
- They exercised agriculture.
- They had horse carriages.
- The river was used as the medium for transportation.
- Woolen and Cotton fabrics were spun around and used.
- At first, the barter system managed the trade, but later on, those coins were known as “Nishka,” which came into use.
Differences between Early Vedic Age and Later Vedic Age
Early Vedic Period | Later Vedic Period |
The caste grouping was compromising and based on the occupational group rather than birth. | The caste grouping became more stiff or inflexible during this time. |
There was no conception of untouchables or Shudra. | The Shudras became the pillar in the later Vedic Period. The main and sole aim was to serve the high caste or the upper caste. |
Women were granted a larger degree of freedom during this period. They were allowed to take part in Samitis and Sabha. | The women were cut back from the activities happening in society. |
The young Vedic society was semi-nomadic and pastoralist in nature. | The society was suited to be more accomplished, as it became centred on agriculture practices. |
Rigveda, this passage, is cited as the simple text from this time. | In the later Vedic period, the barter system was still in exercise. It was majorly supplanted by the interchange of silver and gold coins. |
Conclusion
The Vedic civilization was between 1500 BC to 600 BC. It is said to be an influential era in the Ancient History of India. There are subdivisions of the Vedic Period, the Early Vedic Period (c. 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE) and the Later Vedic Period (c. 1000 BCE to 600 BCE). This article has demonstrated an overview of the characteristics of the early Vedic period. Primarily, the Aryans lived in a region or land known as “Sapta Sindhu” or “the land of the seven rivers.”
