Vedic period:the aryans

 Vedic period:the aryan

The Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral people and originated from area around the Caspian Sea in Central Asia. (by Max Muller.)

Entered India probably through the Khyber Pass (Hindukush Mountains) around 1500 BC.

Early Vedic Or rigvedic Period

Region

The early Aryans settled in Eastern Afghanistan, modern Pakistan, Punjab and parts of western UP. The whole region in which the Aryans first settled in India is called the Land of Seven Rivers or Sap

taSindhava' (The Indus, its five tributaries and the Saraswati).

Political Organization

Monarchial form. Tribe was known as Jan and its king as Rajan.

The king was assisted by a number of officers of which purohita was the most important.

Family was the basic unit of society. The family was patriarchal in nature. But women enjoyed equal power with men.

Economy

Aryans followed a mixed economy pastoral and agricultural-in which cattle

played a predominant part. Standard unit of exchange was cow. At the same time coins were also there (gold coins like Nishka, Krishnal and Satmana).

Religion

The Aryans personified the natural forces and looked upon them as living beings.

The most important divinity was Indra who played the role of warlord (breaker of forts- Purandar, also associated with storm and thunder).

Didn't believe in erecting temples or idol worship. Worshipped in open air through yajnas.

Later Vedic Period (Painted Grey Ware Phase)

Region

Aryans expanded from Punjab over the whole of western Punjab over the whole of western UP covered by the Ganga-Yamuna doab.

In the beginning, they cleared the land by burning; later with the use of iron tools which became common by 1000-800 BC.

Political Organization

- Tiny tribal settlements were replaced by strong kingdoms. Powers of the king, who was called

Samrat increased.

A regular army was maintained for the

protection of kingdom.

References of Priest (Purohita), Commander in chief (Senapati), Charioteer (Suta), treasurer (Sangrahita), tax collector (Bhagdugha), chief queen (Mahisi) and the game companion (aksavapa).

Social Setup

The four fold division of society became clear-initially based on occupation, which later became hereditary: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (Warriors), Vaishyas (agriculturists, cattle-rearers, traders) and Shudras (servers of the upper three). 

Women enjoyed freedom & respect but their status deteriorated compared to earlier time.

The institution of gotra appeared in this age first time. Gotra signified descent from common male ancestors.

Chariot racing was the main sport and gambling was the main pastime.

The Vedic Literature

▶ The Vedas

 (a) Rig Veda

Oldest religious text in the world. A collection of hymns. Were recited at the time of sacrificial rites and other rituals

with utmost devotion. Contains 1028 hymns (1017 + 11

valakhilyas) and is divided into 10 mandalas. The X mandala contains the famous varnas (Brahmans, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) were born from the mouth, arms,

Purushsukta which explains that the 4

thighs and feet of the creator, Brahma.

The third mandala contains the Gayatri Mantra (addressed to sun).

(b) Sama Veda

Derived from the root 'Saman', i.e., 'melody'. It is a collection of melodies.

It has 1603 verses but except 99 all the rest have been borrowed from Rig Veda. Contains Dhrupada Raga'.

(c) Yajur Veda

Deals with the procedure for the

performance of sacrifices.

(d) Atharva Veda

Divided into 20 kandas (books) and has 711 hymns - mostly dealing with magic (along with personal problems of people).

▶ The Brahmanas

They explain the hymns of the vedas in an orthodox manner. Each veda has several Brahmanas attached

to it.

Rigveda: Kaushetki and Aitreya

Yajurveda: Taitriya and Shatpatha

Samaveda: Panchvish and Atharvaveda: Gopath

▸ The Aranyakas

Jemineya

Called 'forest books', written mainly by the hermits living in the jungles for their pupils.

Deals with mysticism and philosophy. Opposed to sacrifice and emphasize 'Meditation'.

▸ The Upanishads

The word means 'to sit down near someone' and denotes a student sitting near his guru to learn.

They are the main source of Indian

philosophy. There are 108 Upanishads.

They also condemn the ceremonies and the sacrifices.

▸ Smritis

Explains rules and regulations in the Vedic -

life.

Main are Manusmriti, Naradsmriti, Yagyavalkyasmriti and Parasharsmriti.

▸ Vedangas

Six Vedangas are Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chhanda and Jyotisha. Shiksha deals with pronunciation.

Kalpa with rituals.

Vyakarana with grammar.

Nirukta with etymology.

Chhanda with meter. Jyotisha with astronomy.

▶ Darshans⇒

There are 6 schools of Indian philosophy known as Shad - Darshana.

. These are given by 6 philosophers of Ancient India:

Nyaya (Analysis) Darshana : Gautama.

Vaishesika Darshana Kanada Rishi (referred atom as kan/anu).

Sankhaya Darshana: Kapila

Yoga Darshana : Patanjali.

Purva Mimansa : Jaimini

Uttara Mimansa Badaryana or Vyasa (wrote Mahabharata, classified vedas, composed the puranas, gave vedantic philosophy).

► Upavedas

• There are four upavedas:

Dhanurveda (deals with art of warfare) (Upaveda of Yajur Veda).

a Gandharva veda (deals with art &

music) (Upaveda of Sama Veda). a Shilpa veda (deals with architecture)

(Upaveda of Atharva Veda). Ayurveda (deals with medicine) (Upaveda of Rig Veda).

▸ Epics

. Though the two epics-the Mahabharata and the Ramayana - were compiled later, they reflect the state of affairs of the Later Vedic Period.

• The Mahabharata, attributed to Vyasa, is considered older than the Ramayana and describes the period from the tenth century BC to the fourth century AD. It is also called Jaisamhita and Satasahasri Samhita and has one lakh verses.

• The Ramayana, attributed to Valmiki, has 24,000 verses. Its composition started in the fifth century BC and passes through five stages; the fifth stage ended in the twelfth century AD.