Vedic Civilization

Origin and Expansion of Aryans

● According to Max Muller, the Aryans arrived in India around 1500 BC.
● Its earliest information comes from the Rigveda, the oldest text in the
Indo-European languages.
● The Kassite inscription found in Iraq and the Mitanni inscription of Syria
reveal the presence of Aryans.
● The word ‘Arya’ is a language indicator word, which means - Superior or
elite.
● The use of horse-drawn chariots, bronze equipment and armor is
considered to be the main reason for the success of the Aryans in India.
● The Aryans had to contend with the Dasyus (the original inhabitants of
India) and the Dasas (the former branch of the Aryans).

Political, Social, Economical and religious Aspects of Rigvedic Period

● Political
● Social
● Economical
● Religious

Various aspects of Rigvedic culture

Political life
● The political system of the Rigvedic period was based on the tribal structure
and the state did not exist during this period.
● In this period the head of the administration was the head of the clan and
he also led the war.
● The king did not maintain a regular standing army.
● In the Rigvedic age, the king was called Janasya Gopa, Vishapati or Gopati.
 ● The Sabha, Samiti, Vidatha and Gana were the tribal assemblies which
performed deliberations, military and religious functions.
● The Sabha was a council of noble and elite people and its members were
'superior' people, who were called 'Sujan' and they used to do judicial work.
● The Samiti was the common assembly (assembly of the common people) of
the clan who elected their king.
● In Atharvaveda 'Sabha and Samiti' have been called the ‘two daughters of
Prajapati’.
● In Atharvaveda, the assembly has been called 'Narishtha' and the chairman
of the committee has been called 'Ishan'.
● 'Vidatha' was the oldest institution of the Aryans. In this, the things looted
in the war were distributed.
● Examples of tribal kingdoms were: Bharata, Matsya, Yadu and Puru.

Dashragya War
● The "Dasaragya" or "War of the Ten Kings" took place on the banks of the
Parushni River.
● The mention of this war is found in 18, 33 and 83 suktas in the 7th Mandala
of Rigveda.
● This war took place between King Sudas of Bharat dynasty and 10 other
kings (which included five Aryas and five non-Aryas).
● King Sudas of Bharat dynasty was victorious in this.

Major officials of Rigvedic period

Purohit Chief consultant

Kulap Head of the family

Purap Guardian of the Fort

Gopati Cattle owner

Spash Spy

Bhagdudh Officer who distributes sacrifices

Social life:
● Patriarchal family – Jana was the largest social unit in the Rigvedic period.
● Social group: Kul (family) → Village → Visu → Jan.
● The main basis of Rigvedic period social organization was the birth-based
'Gotra' system.
● In the early Vedic period, a wealthy person was known as "Gomat".
● These individuals were regarded as wealthy and prosperous within their
Society.
● Their wealth typically included possessions such as cattle and other
valuable items.
● Cattle held significant importance in early Vedic society and served as a key
indicator of a person's wealth and status.
● In the Vedic period, cow was considered 'Aghanya'. The literal meaning of
Aghanya is – not worthy of being killed.
● In the Vedic period, a person who killed or injured a cow was given the
death penalty.

Women Status
● The status of women was much better in the early Vedic period.
● Women had many rights at this time, which included educational, political
(they were allowed to attend political meetings), and religious (domestic
and community customs) rights.
● During this period, women were given political and religious rights but they
were subordinate to men. There is no evidence of women being priests or
heads.
● Women like Apala, Ghosha, Lopamudra, Vishvavara and Sikta are referred to
as women seers.
● In this era, women who studied religion and philosophy for life were called
'Brahmavadini'.
● Women had the right to participate in the Yagya along with their husbands.
 ● Child marriage, divorce, Sati system, purdah system and daughter-in-law
system etc. were not prevalent.
● Girls who remained Unmarried for life were called 'Amaju'.

Social Inequality
● Social inequalities were present but were not rigid and hereditary.
● The term 'Varna' was first used in the Indian region after the arrival of the
Aryans according to the Rigveda, to refer only to Arya or Dasa, who are fair
or dark in complexion respectively, but never to Brahmin or Rajanya
(Kshatriya). ) does not represent
● The word 'Shudra' is mentioned for the first time in the tenth Mandala of
Rigveda.
● The four-tier division of the society was done after the codification of
'Purusha Sukta'. [TENTH MANDALA]
● In the Purusha Sukta, it has been told that the Brahmins originated from the
mouth of Brahma, the Kshatriyas from his arms, the Vaishyas from the
thighs and the Shudras from the feet.
● Slavery was prevalent in the Rigvedic period, which was used for domestic
work.

Modern and Ancient names of rivers

● During the Vedic period, there is mention of seven rivers of Sapt
Sindhu region in Rigveda.
● In Rig Veda, Yamuna river has been described thrice while Ganga river
has been described once.
● The Indus River is mentioned the most in the Rigveda and Saraswati
was the most sacred river of the Rigvedic period.it has been called
Naditama, Devitama and Matetama.
● The Doab of Ganga-Yamuna and its adjacent areas have been called
'Brahmrishi Desh' by the Aryans.
 ● The Indus River has been called 'Hiranyani' because of its economic
importance.

Vedic name Modern Name

Sindhu Indus

Vitasta Jhelum

Askini Chenab

Parushni Ravi

Vipasa Vyas

Shatudri Sutlej

Economic Life:

Agriculture
● The Rigvedic Period culture was basically Rural rather than Urban and
animal husbandry was the main work here.
● Most of the wars by the Aryans have been fought over cows and the cow
was very important during this period.
● The cow was called 'Aghanya' meaning unkillable.
● There is a mention about agriculture in the fourth division of Rigveda.
● In Shatapatha Brahmana, all the activities related to agriculture like
plowing, sowing and harvesting are described.
● Barley is mentioned as 'Yava' in Rigveda. The people of this era had the
knowledge of 5 types of seasons.
● In Atharvaveda, there is a description of 'Varnakoop' and canal as a means
of irrigation.
Trade, Craft and Clothing
● Trade and commerce was very limited in the Rigvedic period.
● The 'Pani' have been discussed as merchants.
● In this era, the person who took interest by giving a loan was called
'Beknat'.
● There is discussion of 'Nishka' and 'Shatmaan' in the form of Currency.
● Weaving cloth was the main activity in the Rigvedic period.
● In Rigveda, the description of major craftsmen like carpenter, weaver,
tanner, potter is found.
● Gold, copper and bronze were mainly used in this era. Copper and bronze
were called 'Ayas'.
● In the Rigvedic period, people used to wear three types of clothes - the one
worn below the waist was called 'Nivi', the one worn above the waist was
called 'Vasas' and the one worn from above was called 'Adhivasas'.

Religious Life:
● The people of the Rigvedic age were polytheists and worshipers of nature.
● Akash (Dyus) is considered the most ancient of the Rigvedic period gods. He
is called the father of Indra.
● In Rigveda, Indra has been described as the lord of the whole world and he
is also called 'Purandar'. Indra has also been considered the 'God of Rain'.
● Agni was another important deity. Agni Dev has been considered as the
mediator between the gods and humans, because the sacrifices were made
to the gods through fire.
● Varuna was the third major deity who was the representative of the water
system.
● Soma was considered the god of Drink.
Other deities of Rig Vedic period:

Marut God of Storm

Ashwin God of medicine

Yum Lord of Death

Aranyani Vanadevi

Pushan God of animals