The Vedic Period is one of major milestones in the
history of India. It is estimated that the Vedic Period in India lasted
from 1500 - 600 B.C. This period brought about a multitude of changes in
the lifestyle of people. The Vedic age is broadly classified into two
categories: Early Vedic Age and Later Vedic age. There was development
in agricultural practices, worshipping patterns, philosophical outlooks,
etc. A number of dynasties and new religions came into being during this
period that left a huge impact on people. Read on the history of the
Vedic Age.
The migration of the Aryans to the Indian sub continent is what
triggered off the Vedic Age. As the name suggests, this period got its
name from the four major Vedas or the sacred scriptures that were
created during that time. The four sacred Vedas are Rig Veda, Sama Veda,
Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. These scriptures provide essential
knowledge of the lifestyle during the Vedic Age. The Vedas are the
foundation of the Hindu religion. Apart from the Vedas, we have two
great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata written during this age. These two
epics tell a lot about the culture, society, religious beliefs, etc. of
people during that time.
Vedic Religion
Religion and religious practices during the Vedic Age were quite
stringent. People had unquestioned faith in God and His powers. No one
dared to question or argue with the religious practices followed by the
priests. Sacrifice was at its peak during Vedic Age. The head of the
family sacrificed an animal to the Gods on a daily basis. The Brahmins
who were responsible for conducting all rituals and ceremonies
sacrificed numerous animals in order to appease the Gods. They believed
that the Gods would descend from the Heavens and grant them good health,
happiness and prosperity. With time, the Brahmins became an inseparable
part of religion since the rituals took such a complex form that only
the Brahmins could perform it correctly.
Vedic Culture
Early Vedic Age - Culture and Society
In the Early Vedic Age, people were basically semi-nomadic and moved
from one area to the other in search of fertile agrarian grounds. They
bred farm animals and lived on the products obtained from the animals
like milk, meat, hide, etc. With the size of their communities growing
day by day, they finally settled at one place as farmers. They farmed on
large tracts of land in the north of India that was very fertile and
irrigated naturally. The people worshipped the forces of nature like
Sun, Moon, Thunder, Rain, etc. The caste system was not quite rigid
though they differentiated between the white skinned Aryans and the dark
skinned slaves.
Later Vedic Age - Culture and Society
The society in the Later Vedic Age became more complex and hierarchical
in nature. The size of the settlements grew and people began to live in
self - sufficient areas that were protected by forts and warriors.
People began to explore the sub-continent more and started to move
towards the south. This period marked the beginning of hereditary
kingship. In this, the son of the chief gained his position and became
his successor. Thus, power was handed down from father to son and so on.
It was during this time that Hinduism was evolved and a plethora of Gods
and Goddess came into the picture. This was also the time when society
was divided into four major classes of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya and
Shudra.
