Vedic Age

Vedic Age

Vedic Age





Vedic civilization is divided into
1. Early Vedic Period.
2. Later Vedic period.


1.Early Vedic Period (1500-1000BC):

• This period is also known as Rig Vedic Period.
• Aryans were come in India from central Asia.
• According to Max Muellar, central Asia is the original home of the Aryans.
• Swami Dayananda mentioned in his book ‘Satyartha Prakash’ that the original home of The Aryans was Tibet.
• According to Rig Veda, the Aryans lived in the land of seven rivers or ‘Sapta Sindhava’
• The Aryans spoke the Indo-European Languages.
• The Chief is called ‘Gopati’.
• Godhuli is used as a term for a measure of time.
• The greatest God of the Aryans was Indra.

2.Later Vedic Period (1000-600BC):

• Society was divided into four Varnas – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudras.
• Kings were known with different names in different region. Eastern King – Samrat, Western king- Savrat, Northern King – Virat, Southern King- Bhoja.
• The term Rashtra indicating territory first appeared in this period.
• The Later Vedic people used four types of pottery – Black and Red Ware, Black Slipped Ware, Painted Grey Ware (PGW) and Red Ware(RW).

Vedic Literatures:

• The word Veda is derived from the Sanskrit word Vid, meaning to know or knowledge per excellence.
• Vedic texts are divided between Sruti-based on hearing and Smriti-based on memory.


Four Vedas – 1.Rig Veda.
                          2.Sama Veda.
                          3.Yajur Veda.
                          4.Atharva Veda.

1.Rig Veda:

• Rig Veda is divided into 10 Manadals or 10 Books. 
• The IX Mandala is dedicated exclusively to Soma.
• The X Mandala contains Purushasukta hymn that explain the origin of four Varnas.
• The most prominent deity in the Rig Veda was Indra.
• Total number of hymns – 1028
• Gayatri Mantra is attributed to Savitri. Gayantri Mantra is the most sacred hymn of Rig Veda.
• The singer of the Rig Veda is called Hotra. 

2.Sama Veda:

• Origin of Indian Music.
• Sama Veda derives its roots from Saman, Which means a Melody.
• Total number of hymns- 1603.

3.Yajur Veda:

• It is a ritualistic Veda.
• Yajur Veda is divided into two parts – Shukla Yajur Veda and Krishna Yajur Veda.
• Written in Prose.

4.Atharva Veda:

• Atharva Veda is a book of Magical Formula.
• Total Number of hymn- 711 , it is a non Aryan text.
• It is divided into 20 kandas.
• Origin of Medical Science.

The Upanishads

• There are 108 Upanishads.
• Origin of Philosophy.
• Other Name- Vedanta.
• Origin of Satyameva Jayate  - Mundak Upanishad.

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