ANCIENT INDIA + ART AND CULTURE ANAND BATHIA Vedic Period (1500 to 600 B.C.E.) Two phases EVP(1500 to 1000 BCE) Later(1000 to 600 BCE) Earliest literature in the world – Vedas also called Shruti Difference between Shruti Vs Smriti Shruti = Vedas = like Code of Ethics and rituals Smriti = e.g. Manusmriti = Laws Puran(4th to 5th A.D) Stories + Some history Vedic period Myths about Aryans Invasion ? Race ? Dravidians thrown out ? No consensus on origin of Aryans Different Theories Theory What it says???? Supported by European Theory Europe is the home land Sir William Jones Central Asian Theory Central Asia is the homeland Max Muller • comparative study of the ‘Avesta’ and the ‘Vedas’ Artic Region Theory Homeland is the Northern Tilak Arctic region Tibet Theory Tibet is the original home Swami Dayanand Saraswati EVP Rig veda Family books Indra Agni, Varuna, Mitra Samhita – core text -10 mandals Brahmana – rules Satapatha Brahmana - agriculture Aranyaka – philosophy behind rituals Upanishad – Philosophy 108 Upanishads, of which 13 are the most prominent Mandukyopanishad “Satyamev jayate” Chhandogya Upanishad – Clearly refers to the first three ashrams 4 pillars – karma, soul, transmigration and moksha Which Books describe early vedic perid??? Upnishad Upanishad criticized the rituals and emphised on knowledge of atman and its relation with brahman Brahman = root birth, ultimate reality pervading universe Atman = imperishable essential self or ultimate reality within us Brihadaranyaka defines atman as knowing subject within us Provided stability for rising states Practice Vedic literature Deals with Philosophical knowledge and spiritual 1. Brahmanas learning 2. Aryankas Mysticism and symbolism 3. Upanishads Sacrifices and rituals Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution (b) Practice Question Consider the following statements regarding Upanishads 1. The Upanishadic age was characterized by a pluralism of world views. 2. All Upanishads are associated with one of the four Vedas 3. Upanishads as philosophical texts are known as Vedanta. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) All of the above ANS = D PYQ The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from? (a)Katha Upanishad (b)Chandogra Upanishad (c)Aitareya Upanishad (d)Mundaka Upanishad ANS = D) Vedas SAM VED Music Contains the famous Dhrupada raga YAJUR VED Procedure for the performance of sacrifices ATHARVA VED Medicine and chants Vedanga Nirukta Chhanda VEDANG Shiksha Jyotisha Vedanga Kalpa Vyakaran 1. Shiksha (Phonetics)- correct pronunciation of the Vedic hymns and mantras 2. Kalpa (Ritual Canon)- It contains the sacrificial practice and systematic sutras Shulva Sutra - geometry 3. Vyakaran (Grammar) Vyakaran includes the Aṣṭādhyāyī, of Panini 4. Nirukta (explanation) – etymology 5. Chhanda (Vedic meter) It measures and divides Vedic Mantras by number of padas in a verse 6. Jyotisha (Astrology) It describes rules for tracking the motions of the sun and the moo Practice_Que_4 Who among the following was the author of books 'Shrimadh Bhagavad Gita Rahasya' and 'The Arctic Home in the Vedas'? a) Aurobindo Ghosh b) Swami Dayanand Saraswati c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak d) Annie Besant ANS = C EVP and LVP By Anand Bathia Practice_5 Veda Description 1. Rig Veda i. Book on music 2. Sam Veda ii. Earliest written Veda 3.Yajur Veda iii. Book on rituals 4. Atharva Veda iv. Book on charms and magic spells Select the correct answer using the code givenbelow. a) 1-i, 2, ii, 3-iii, 4-iv b) 1-ii, 2-i, 3-iii, 4-iv c) 1-i, 2-iii, 3-iv, 4-ii d) 1-ii, 2-i, 3-iv, 4-iii ANS = B Vedic period Geography EVP – Pb Sindhu and Sarasvati Ayas LVP – doab Shyam From copper to iron: early iron age Political Tribes and war Tribal – Rajana but no authority Sabha and Samiti Bali in EVP Early Vedic Period Pastoralism, agri and other occupations Many animals but cattle mentioned more Words derived from cattle Chief = jansya Gopa Measure of time = Godhuli Wealthy = Gomat Measure of Area = gocharman Epithet of Indra = gopati(lord of cattle) Cattle rearing was imp than agri activity Trade minimal and in maximum in barter => cattle imp unit value Clan as whole enjoyed right over property Cows referred as “Aghnya” which means prohibition of indiscriminate killing Practice_6 With reference to Sabha and Samiti, two popular political organisations during Vedic Culture, consider the following statements: 1. The Sabha was a council of elders while Samiti was a general assembly of the entire people. 2. The Sabha and Samiti lost their importance during the later Vedic period. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWER :C Early Vedic Period Varna in EVP Varna appeared many places and usually referred as light colour Word Brahman and Khatriya but varna is not attached to it Vaishya and Shudra are completely absent Four fold division in Purush-Sukta Women and Men “go back to vedas” ???? Polygamy as well as polyandry Unmarried woman Religion Sacrifices less and in the house of Yajmana Simple, domestic affairs and performed by house holders No temples and image worship Polytheism = indra, agni, surya Usha(goddess of dawn) Rita = order of universe or moral order Practice_7 With reference to socio-economic life during Rig Vedic period, consider the following statements: 1. The society was clearly divided into four varnas - Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. 2. Agriculture was the dominant economic activity. 3. The unit of currency was nishka, which was made of gold. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 ANSWER :C PYQ_8 The 'dharma' and 'rita' depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilisation of India. In this context, consider the following statements. 1. 'Dharma' was a conception of obligations and of the discharge or one's duties to oneself and to others, 2. 'Rita' was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? A) Only 1 B) Only 2 C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 ANS = C Later Vedic Period(1000BCE to 600BCE) Economic life Agriculture – Shatapatha Brahamana Wooden plough King Janaka Krishna and Balrama Crops – rice(Vrihi) and wheat(godhuma) Diverse art and crafts – glass hoards and bangle hoards Jewel workers upper doab – PGW sites Vrihi many branches of learning = chandhogya upnishad Godhuma LATER VEDIC PERIOD Gods, rituals and philosophy Prajapati, Rudra, Vishnu Prayers less more sacrifices – domestic character to public Agnihotra sacrifice to Rajsuya, Vajapea Ritual specialist became imp => Brahamana monopoly Sacrifices involved animals – guest called ‘goghna’ PYQ 2012 The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of (a) Bhakti (b) Image worship and yajnas (c) Worship of nature and yajnas (d) Worship of nature and Bhakti ANS - C EVP Vs LVP LVP State + Monarchy Political map changing = diff systems => Rajyas, Ganas/Sanghas Kurus became first state in India Wars for land not only for cattle e.g. Mahabharat Ashvamedh Pottery EVP = Ochre Colour Pottery Badly fired No colour LVP = Painted Grey ware Ochre Colour Painted Grey Pottery Ware LVP Land as gift = Dakshina e.g. Shatapatha Brahamana Varna divided society Innate capacities by birth Defined role, status, and social boundaries Organic linkage Flexible and fluid Women Grihapati had stricter control Polygamy more prevalent Excluded from study of vedas Practice_10 Arrange the following pottery culture in chronological sequence: 1. Painted Grey Ware (PGW) 2. Black and Red Ware (BRW) 3. Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) Select the correct answer using the code given below. a) 1-2-3 b) 2-3-1 c) 2-1-3 d) 3-2-1 Ans= c) Jainism and Buddhism Jainism and Buddhism Varna by birth 2 higher Varna – Privileges Graded punishment Shudras – serving for other Varna's Reaction of Kshatriyas Agriculture economy Fertile region Rise of cities Coins = punch marked first time Trade flourished Supported by vaishyas Difficult Language Common people wanted go back to simple life Buddhism Born at Lumbini (Rummindei) Mother Maya and king Sudhodhana Shakya kingdom Mahaprjapati Gautami Arada Kalam – 1st scholar Buddha met Enlightenment (Nirvana) – Gaya (Uruvela) 1st sermon – Sarnath Bimbisar and Ajatshatru contemporary Mahaparinirvana – Kushinagar Symbols associated with each place Practice Question He is said to have met Gautama Buddha. According to the Mahavamsa, he constructed several chaityas and viharas. He was also instrumental in convening the First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha soon after the death of the Buddha. Identify the ruler. a) Kalasoka b) Ashoka c) Ajatasatru d) Chandragupta Maurya PYQ 2014 and 2015 Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1,2, 3 and 4 only ANS = c) Buddha Mudras Abhay Mudra: Fearlessness Open palm of right hand Dharmachakra : Continuous energy of the cosmic order Vitaraka Mundra : Teaching and discussion Dhyan Mudra: Meditation, concentration Karana Mudra: Hand gestures called warding off the evil. It expels demons and remove obstacles such as sickness or negative thoughts Mudra’s Bhumisparsha: Calling the Earth to witness the Truth i.e. Enlightnement Vajra Mudra: Mostly used in Japan and Korea Stress on the importance of knowledge in spiritual world PYQ_13 Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’.