Chapter – 4

Vedic Civilization 1500 BCE – 600 BCE

• Also called as PGW. Nearly in 700 to 800 places found PGW pottery.
• During this period Vedic literature was composed so it is called as Vedic
Civilization. This literature is religion based & biased. It became foundation for
Hindu religion.
• It is believed that it was developed by Aryans, who were believed to be
Foreigners.
• They called locals & opponents as Dasa or Dasayyus.
• Vedic literature is classified in to 2 types. (a) Shruti (b) Smriti

Shruthi :
• Vedas – 4, Brahmanas – 7, Aranyakas – 7, Upanishads – 108

Smriti :
• Vedangas – 6, Puranas – 18, Upavedas – 4, Itihasa – 2

• Vedas: also called as ‘Samhita’

• The word ‘Veda’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Vid’, which means
Knowledge

Rigveda:
• Oldest religious text in the world, In the form of dialogue, 1028 Hymns,
Gayatri shloka, 10 mandalas, 2nd & 7th are the oldest, 10th is called as
‘Purushasukta’ & the latest. It contains caste system & 4th varna. Hotri was the
priest.
 Yajurveda:
• Also called as ‘Samskara veda’, recited while performing rituals, 40 adhyayas,
1975 verses,
• It has 2 parts (a) Shweta yajurveda (b) Shyama yajurveda, Priest Adhyairya.

Samaveda:
• About music, 1603 verses, Udhgatri was the priest.

Atharvaveda:
• Earlier name was Atharvan girka(girka), 711 shlokas, Used deal with diseases,
demons, & also used to perform black magic & magical issues, priest Angira.
• First 3 vedas are called as ‘Trayi’.

Brahmanas:
• Ther are 7 Brahmanas embedded within each veda often explain & instruct
Brahmins on the performance of Vedic rituals. All are in prose form & gives
explanatation to shlokas.
• Example: Aitareya, Kaushutaki, Samkhya, Chandogya, Shatapata, Taittiriya &
Gopatha

Aranyakas:
• These are 7 in numbers. Written by Saints & their disciples who lived in forest.
• More importance to Meditation than to Yajnas & rituals. These are
subordinate to Vedas.
• Example: Aitareya, kaushitaki, Taittiriya, Maitrayaniya, Katha,Brihad
&Talavakara
• Atharva veda has no surviving Aranyakas.
Upanishads: 108.
These comes at the final stage of the Vedas, So they are also called as Vedantas.
These are against the rituals.
Ex: Brihadaranyaka : First time information about rebirth & death concept.
Chandogya :Explaination about rebirth
Mundaka : Satyameva Jayate
Kathopanishad: Dialague between Yama & Nachiketa

SMRITIS:
Vedangas: 6
(a) Shiksha – Pronouciation
(b) Nirukta – Origin of words
(c) Vyakarana
(d) Chandassu – Metrics
(e) Jyotishya – Astrology
(f) Kalpa

Kalpa has 3 parts

(1) Griha sutra :Rituals performed in home Ekaja & Dvija (upanayana)
(2) Stauthashastra : Rituals performed in Public ex: Rajasuyaga, Vajapeya,
Ashwamedha
(3) Suluva (Sulabasutra) : On construction of Fire alters (Geometry)
Puranas: 18
Contains Mythological stories. Helps to know about the history as well as genealogy
of ancient dynasties.
Ex: Vayupurana, Garudapurana, Matsyapurana, Shivapurana etc..

Upavedas: 4
Ayurveda (Rig): Knowledge of life & medicine
Ghandarvaveda (Sama): Music
Shilpaveda (Atharva) : Architecture
Dhanurveda (Yajur) : Archery

Ithihasa: 2
Ramayana:
Known as Adikavya, Consists of 7 Kandas with 24,000 Verses.

Mahabharata:
Composed by Vyasa, consistes of 18 Parvas. Bhagavadgita is an appendix to Bhishma
Parva.
Original name is ‘Jayabharata’. It consists 1,00,000 Shlokas so it is also called as Shata
Sahasra Samhita.
Original Home of Aryans
Still there are difference of opinion regarding the Original home of Aryans.
Sampurnanada & A.C. Das :- From Sapta sindhu river basin
Ghaggar – Sarswati, Raavi – Parushni, Chenab – Askini, Beas – Vipasa, Jhelum – Vitasa
or Vitispa, Sutlej – Satudri, Indus- Sindu…. That is Himalaya in the North to Aravali in
the South & Afghanistan in the West to river Yamuna in the East.
Rajbali Pandey: Central India,
Dayananda Sarswati (Satyartha Prakasha): Tibet
B.G. Tilak(Arctic the home of Aryans): Arctic(North pole)
J.Nehruving: Russia or South Russia
Prof. Mac donell : S.E. Asia
L.D. Kala : Kashmir
Pandit. Lakshmidhar Shastri: Himalayan Foot Hills.
Most of the European Historians: Germany

Max Muller (Indologist & Sanskrit Professor in Germany University): Central Asia
Max Muller theory is based on Philology & Epigraphy
Present European countries < ------Eurassia (2000BCE) ------>Central Asia (2000BCE-
1500BCE)---- > Sapta Sindu (1500BCE-1000BCE) ------ >Ganga Yamuna Plains
(1000BCE-600 BCE)
Bhogozkoi (Turkey) Inscription: Aryans are moving toward east along with their gods
like Indra, Varuna etc…
 Rigvedic Period 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE
Geographical Area : Sapta Sindhu region (Afghan to yamuna & Himalaya to Aravali)

Economy :
Pastoral, Not gave importance to Agriculture,
‘YAVA’- Wheat/Barley. ‘AYA’ – Copper/Bronze. Sira/Langala – Plough
Sita – Ploughed field, Kulya – Irrigational canals, Kshetra – Cultivated land
Gomat – Wealthy man. Goghna – Guest & killer of Cow.
Gopati/Gopa – Protector of cows
Internal trade & Barter system.
Suvarna Nishka/Nishka – Jewels made up of Gold
Wealth – Cows, Sheep's, Horses & Camels.
Handicraft industries: Pottery – Kulala/Kularika(Pot Maker), Textiles – Vyaya/Kolika
(Weavers) mostly women, Carpentary – Takshan (Carpenter)

Society:
• Tribal & Egalitarian
• Patriarchal, Kulapa – Head of the Family (Kula),
• Class system (Varna system) but not Caste system – 4 classes (Brahman,
Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra)
• Freedom to choose profession, Inter-dinning,
• Inter-class marriage:- Anuloma (H.C.M+L.C.W) – Hypergamous, Pratiloma –
Hypogamous.
• Polygamy & Polyandry (Royal & Noble families), Equality, Women were
allowed to attend Sabha & Vidatha..
• Women were allowed to impart Vedas – Vishvawara, Gargi, Apala, Gosha
(Highly educated & regarded as Rishi) etc..
• No Child Marriage (Marriage after attaining puberty) & Niyoga in Practice. No
Sati.
 Political System: -
• Semi-Nomadic, Tribe – Jana, Chief of Jana – Rajan, it was not Hereditary & he
was controlled by Assemblies.
• To protect the Jana & cattle – main responsibility of Rajan.
• Janapadas/Kingdoms were not yet formed.
• Officers : Purohita, Senapati, Vrajapati, Gramini, spasa (Spy)
• Bali – Source of Income to the Rajan. King was described as
‘Baliharta’(collector of Bali).
• Assemblies :
• Sabha – Elders, Samithi – Experts, Vidatha – Assembly with diverse functions.
No Regular/standing Army. Charioteers used ‘Varma’- Coats & Sipra/Sironastra –
helmets.
Weapons – Asi (Sword), Hanas (arrows) & Ilihianus (Bow)
Gavishti – Battles

Battle of Dasaragna
Held on the banks of river Paurushni (Ravi):
Bharata Clan (Sudama) V/S alliance of 10 other tribes headed by Puru
clan(Pusukutsa)
Bharata Clan won
Vasista, the priest of Bharata tribe & Vishwamitra , the priest of Puru tribe played
significant role in this battle
Other tribes Puru, Yadu, Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha, Bhalanas, Shiva and
Vishanin. The former five are said to be Aryan tribe while the later 5 are said to be
Non-Aryan tribes.
Earlier Sudama’s Grandfather Dvidosa is said to have defeated many tribes.
Non Aryans - Dasa/Dasayyu
Religion
Worshippers of Nature.
All the 33 Gods & Goddesses mentioned in the Rigveda are natural forces
Gods were worshipped mainly to get Praja (Children), Pashu (cattle) & Victories in
the war
Mode of Worshipping was through the recitation of prayers & offering of sacrifices.
Important Gods:
Indra – Warrior & rain god, 250 hymns, other names Purandhara.
Agni – Intermediary b/w gods & people, S/O Earth & Heaven, 200 Hymns
Soma – King of Gods, Special god of the Brahmanas, 120 Shlokas(it includes all 114
shlokas of 9th Mandala)
Varuna , Rudra, Yama, Surya, Vayu, Aditi, Maruta(s/o Rudra),Usha (Dawn), Savitri,
Ashwini

Later Vedic Period 1000 BCE – 600 BCE

Geographical Area :- Up to Ganga Yamuna Basin (Satapata Brahmana – Vaideha

Madhava, head of a tribe migrated from Saraswati to Sadanira/Gandhak)
Aware of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal & tribes living in South India (Aitreya Brahmana)

Economy:
Agriculture became primary & Pastoral became secondary.
Vrihi – Paddy, Transplantation of Paddy, Sugarcane – 13th crop.
Krishnaya/Shyamaya – Iron
5 Types of land : Kshetra (Fertile), Khilva Kshetra (Barren), Apratihata(Forest land),
Vasti (Inhabited) & Gopathasara (Pastoral)
Diverse arts & crafts proliferated & gained importance like Weaving
(Women),carpenters, cobbler etc…
Small towns emerged – Ahichchatra, Hastinapur, Kosambi etc..
tax:
Taxes---- Bhaga
Bhagduga – tax collector, Sangahitri – Treasurer.
1/6th of the produce collected as tax,
Crafts person ---- labour
Herders ---- Animal & Animal produce
Hunters & gatherers ----- Forest produce

Society:
Caste system emerged, occupation became hereditary, Moving from one varna to
another varna was completely prohibited.
Brahmanas, Kshatriya & Vaishyas – Dvija.
Women & Shudra - Ekaja
Prohibited :- Swagotra Marriage, Polyandry, Pratiloma,(Chandalas)
Ashrama System emerged:- Brahmacharya, grihastashrama, Vanaprasta & Sanyasa
Purushartha (4 goals of life): Dharma – Follow righteousness, Artha – Earning of
Wealth
Kama – Fulfilment of Desires, Moksha – Ultimate goal in which soul should release
itself from the cycle of births & rebirths to merge into cosmic soul

Status of the Women: -

prohibited to attend Sabha & Vidhata.
Child marriage came in to practice.
No more widow remarriage, Many social evils emerged like sati.
As per Aitreya Brahmana, the birth of a girl child is the cause of all sorrows
Political system:-
• Territorial states emerged (Mahajanapadas). Ex:Magadha, Kashi, Kuru,
Vaideha, Panchala, Kosala.
• Sabha & Samiti lost their importance,
• Kingship --- Hereditary, protecting territory was the main duty of the king.
• Cities were fortified,
• Regular army, battles for territory.
• Dvadasa Ratnin to assist the King :-Purohita, Senapati, gramini,
suta(charioteer), Bhagduga, Sangahitri, Stapati(gov/judge), purapala(protector
of city)
• As per Shatapata Brhamana, Suta & Gramini were Raja Karte (King makers)

tax:
• Taxes---- Bhaga, Bhagduga – tax collector, Sangahitri – Treasurer.

• 1/6th of the produce collected as tax, Crafts person ---- labour, Herders ---- Animal & Animal
produce, Hunters & gatherers ----- Forest produce

Important Janapadas:
• Magadha – Ruled by Barihadrata dynasty, Brihadrata & Jarasanda were the
prominent rulers.
• Kashi – Ruler ‘Ajatashatru’ himself was agreat philosopher & patronized many
philosophers.
ex: Balaki Gargey
Kuru – Hastinapur was the capital, According to Puranas, it was ruled by Parikshit,
the first king of Kaliyug.
 • Vaideha :
Mithila was the capital, ruled by Janaka (8 century B.C), the traditional father of
‘Sita’. He organized philosophical discussions called ‘Brahmodaya’, in which his court
philosopher Yajnavalkya defeated everyone. Yajnvalkya smriti was composed during
this period. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains the philosophical discussions b/w
Yajnavalkya and his two wives (Maitreyi & Katyayani).
Panchala:
Ruled by Pravahana Jaivali. He patronized Svetaketu Aruneya, a popular philosopher
of the age
Kosala:
Ikshavaku dynasty ruled over Kosala with Ayodhya as its capital.

Religion:-
Worshipping of the God became complicated.
Religious rituals & yajnas emerged.
3 Gods became supreme:- Prajapati(Brahma), Vishnu & Rudra
Pushan was the god of Shudras.
Rigvedic gods status was reduced & 8 of them were demoted to the status of
Ashtadikpalakas
Indra --- East, Varuna --- West, Kubera --- North, Yama --- South
Agni --- South East, Surya --- South West, Soma --- North East, Vayu ---- North
West
Marriages
1) Brahma Vivaha :- Arrange marriage & performed as per Shastra.
2) Daiva Vivaha :- Giving daughter in marriage to priest as a ritual fees (Only for
priest)
3) Arsa Vivaha :- Cow/Bull in the form of Dowry
4) Prajapatya Vivaha :- Marrying a girl without taking any dowry without
expecting any dowry or fees
5) Gandharva Vivaha :- Love marriage (Applies only to the Kshatriyas)
6) Asura Vivaha :- Purchasing a bride (Prescriped for Vaishyas)
7) Paishacha Vivaha :- Joining a bride when she is in sleep/unconscious (Only for
Kshatriyas)
8) Rakshasa Vivaha :- capturing a bride/abducting a bride