1. THE EARLY VEDIC PERIOD

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. Class / Varna System
Class conversion allowed

10. 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