Class – 6

Subject – History & Civics

Chapter – 2 of History (The Vedic Civilization)

The Aryans and The Vedic Age

The people who developed Vedic Culture were the Aryans. Arya is a Sanskrit word, which means ‘noble’, ‘lofty’. Nothing can be said with certainty about the original home of the Aryans. The most accepted theory is that they came from Iron or Central Asia around 1500 BC.

The Aryans who came to India are called ‘Indo-Aryans’. The term Indo-Aryans refers to those who spoke Indo-Aryans languages, which include Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Oriya, Sindhi, Sinhala and Assamese.

The Vedic Age may be divided into two periods – the Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC) and The Later Vedic Period (1000-600 BC), which is also known as the Epic Age. The Later Vedic Period begins with the settling down of Aryans in the Gangetic plains.

Early Aryans Settlements

The early Aryans lived in Sapt Sindhu region – the land of seven rivers. They named this region Brahmavarta , which means the land of Gods. It was during early period of the Aryans settlement that the Rig Veda was written. Later , the Aryans moved eastward and settled in different parts of the land. Gradually, they spread to the whole of Northern India.

They cleared the forests and founded new settlements. The use of iron-axe made their job easier. They named this region Aryavarta , the land of Aryans.

Aryans Literature:-

The Vedas

The information about the Aryans comes mainly from the Vedas. That is why this period of Indian history is called the Vedic Age. The word ‘Veda’ is derived from the root word ‘vid’, which means knowledge. The Vedas were also called ‘shruti’, meaning divine revelation.

The four Vedas are: (1) the Rig Veda, (2) the Sama Veda, (3) the Yajur Veda, (4) the Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda is the oldest and the most important of them. It is also known as the oldest book of the world. It contains the famous Gayatri Mantra.

Our Literature

The most famous works of the later Vedic period were the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, the Upanishads and the two epics – Ramayana written by sage Valmiki and Mahabharata, written by sage Ved Vyas. The epics period information about various Aryans kingdoms, their armies and the weapons they used during wars. Apart from literary sources, archaeological excavations carried out in the Ganga valley provide information about the Aryans.

Aryans Religion

• Religion of the Rig Vedic Aryans was very simple. They worshipped the forces of nature. Thus, they had many Gods and Goddesses.

• Surya was the Sun God. Indra was the Go of thunder, rain and water. Indra was one of the most popular Gods as he caused rains, giving them prosperity.

• The Aryans pleased their Gods by performing Yajans and sacrifices.

• Their offering to the Gods included ghee, milk, soma juice and grains.

• Later some new Gods also gained importance. They were the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh or Shiva.

• The most popular deities of the epics period were Rama and Krishna.

Political Organisation

• During the Rig Vedic period people lived in tribes called Janas. Tha most important tribes of that period were Puru, Karu, Bharata, Yadu etc. each jana had its own ruler or rajan.

• The king exercised vast powers, but was bounded by a disciplined code of conduct, i.e., Rajya Dharma. He was essentially a Prajapati, and not a despot.

• The Gramini (the village headman) also assisted him. The Gramini administered the village. He also kept a fighting band ready to help the king.

• We find reference of two important assemblies known as the Samiti and the Sabha.

• Women also attended the meeting of these two assemblies.

• In the later Vedic period, the small tribal kingdoms were replaced by large kingdoms and the number of officers also increased.

Social Life of the Aryans :-

The Family

• Griha was the dwelling place.

• People lived in joint families.

• The eldest male member was the head of the family or grahapti.

• Women were treated with great respect and were given good education. They took part in all the religious ceremonies. In fact, no religious ceremony could be performed unless women were present. • Child marriage and the purdah system did not exist among the Aryans.

The Village

The early Aryans were basically tribal people, living in villages. The village or the gram was headed by the gramini.

Social Classes

• In the early Vedic Age, there was varna vyavastha.

• Initially, Varna meant a distinction largely between the Aryans and the Non-Aryans, whom they called dasas (meaning – slaves) or dasyas (meaning – dacoits).

• Occupations were not hereditary and the caste system was not rigid. A person could choose whatever profession he liked.

• In the later Vedic period these professions became hereditary and the varna vyavastha developed into rigid caste system. Now one could not change the caste one was born in.

Occupation

• Agriculture – agriculture was he chief occupation of the villagers. Farmers irrigated their field with river water. They had knowledge of different seasons and their effect on agriculture. We also find a mention of the plough, which was made of wood, in Rig Veda. They also knew about fertilizers and manures.

• Other Occupation – apart from agriculture, the Aryans also engaged themselves in weaving, carpentry, pottery-making and making implements and ornaments. Their pottery was very simple and plain. One of the most striking features was that no profession was regarded below dignity.

• Domestication of Animals – the Aryans were pastoral people and domesticated animals such as cows, oxen, horses, goats and sheep. Cow was not only worshipped, but also considered very valuable. Cow was measure of wealth For the Aryans. The cow was called aghneya.

• Trade – the people were also engaged in trade. They used horses and bullocks for carrying goods from place to place. Coins and currency did not exist and barter was the mode of transaction. The value of the things was measured in terms of cows. Thus, cows were the standard value.

Four Stage of Life ( Ashramas )

In the later Vedic period, the life of the Aryans was divided into four stages, called ashramas, which they were supposed to carry out specific tasks. Each stage was for about 25 years.

The first stage was Brahmacharya, in which a brahmachari focused on learning as a student, living with his teacher or in gurukul. After completing the studies, a person entered Grihastha ashrama, that is, he got married and led a family life. After fulfilling his family responsibilities a person entered Vanaprastha. In this ashrama, he led a lonely life and devoted his time to religious meditation and charitable work. The fourth and the last stage was of Sanyas , i.e., a period of total retirement from the worldly pleasures. He led the life of a hermit or Sanyasi.

Activities :-

• Imagine you were born during the Vedic Age and had to spend your first stage of life, Brahmacharya, in a Gurukul. Write about the life there and the routine you followed. Compare the teaching methods of that period with that of the present one.

Question & Answers :-

Ques-1) Name the place from where the Aryans are believed to have come.

Ans- The Aryans are believed to have come from Iran Or Central Asia around 1500 BC.

Ques-2) How many hymns does the Rig Veda contain?

Ans- Rig Veda is divided in 10 mandals or volumes and contains 1028 hymns called Sukta.

Ques-3) Which Gods became more popular during the later Vedic Age?

Ans- In the Later Vedic Age, some new Gods also gained importance. They were the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh or Shiva.

Ques-4) What was the main occupation of the early Aryans?

Ans- Agriculture was the main occupation of the early Aryans.

Ques-5) Name the four Vedas.

Ans- The four Vedas are:

(1) the Rig Veda, (2) the Sama Veda, (3) the Yajur Veda, (4) the Atharva Veda.

Ques-6) Name the four stage of life of the Aryans and their duration.

Ans- The life of the Aryans in later Vedic period was divided into four stages (ashramas). Each stage was for about 25 years. They were: Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Snayas Ashramas.

Ques-7) Write a note on the political system of the Aryans.

Ans- (i) During the Rig Vedic period people lived in tribes called Janas. Tha most important tribes of that period were Puru, Karu, Bharata, Yadu etc. each jana had its own ruler or rajan.

(ii) The king exercised vast powers, but was bounded by a disciplined code of conduct, i.e., Rajya Dharma. He was essentially a Prajapati, and not a despot.

(iii) The Gramini (the village headman) also assisted him. The Gramini administered the village. He also kept a fighting band ready to help the king.

(iv )We find reference of two important assemblies known as the Samiti and the Sabha.