THE EARLY VEDIC PERIOD

VEDIC LITERATURE Veda = knowledge - are a ‘treasure house of knowledge’ and collective wisdom of Aryans Chief historical source of early Aryans – their religious literature – ‘the Vedas’ Four Vedas – Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda – composed verbally for 100 years – orally handed down generations – after several centuries – recorded in books. Rig Vedic period

VEDIC LITERATURE Other religious books – The Brahamanas (explain Vedic texts, rituals), the Upanishads (mysteries of creation, essence of life), the Puranas (simplify the Vedas), epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata Collectively – Vedic literature – information about social, religious, economic and political life

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION Many tribes (janas) – leaded by rajans Each jana = many villages (gramas) Each grama = many families – leader of each grama was gramani (village headman)

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION Rajan – ablest and strongest – elected by people – kept enemies away – spiritual leader – ruled according to the wishes of the tribe – assisted by many officials like purohita (performed religious ceremonies, advisor) and senani (commander – in – chief – leaded forces during war) rajan – no absolute power – people had a say sabha – small assembly – important members of tribe – advised and guided the King samiti – large assembly – opinion on important matters given by any member Women – took part

SOCIAL LIFE each village = many joint families Head of the family – grihapati (eldest living male member) – decision final women – important in society monogamy – only one wife women given education women scholars (Gargi, Maitreyi) composed Rig Vedic hymns wife important in religious ceremonies women chose husbands – swayamwara no child marriage widows allowed to remarry

SOCIAL LIFE simple, nutritious food wheat, barley, maize, vegetables, fruits, milk, milk products fond of honey and intoxicating drinks – soma and sura meat eaten occasionally dressed in two garments – unstitched piece of cloth (like a dhoti – lower garment) tied around the waist + light shawl (upper garment) + turban – like headgear + ornaments of gold, silver, precious stones

Recreation Religion Outdoor activities – chariot racing, hunting Enjoyed music and dance Indoor activities – dice, gambling Religion ONE SUPREME POWER = GOD Forces of nature – yagnas No temples, idols Indra (rain) Soma (plants) Agni (fire) Prithvi (Earth) Surya (sun) Usha (dawn) Varuna (water) Yama (death) Vayu (wind)

Class / Varna System Class conversion allowed

Economic Life pastoral life cow – mark of wealth agriculture – farmers had knowledge of seasons artisans, craftspeople, chariot makers, weavers, leather – workers, potters, metal workers self sufficient tribe