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Aryans migrated to India through the Khyber and Bolan passes from central Asia.
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The places where they settled in India was called Arya Vardham
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Compiled the prayers of their ancestors as Vedas
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In History, this was called the Vedic Age
Classified into two
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Early Vedic Age
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Later Vedic Age.
Early Vedic Age
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When Rig Veda was compiled the Aryans lived in Sindu
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They settled in Sabta Sindhu (The Land of Seven Rivers) in Punjab
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Through the Rig Veda, the political and social conditions of the Aryans can be known.
The Social life of Aryans
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Family -village -ivies ->Jana -Janapatha
Political Life
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The basic unit of the society was family.
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Families joined and formed the village which was headed by the Grahmini.
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Villages formed Visa. (Vis)
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Vishwapathy was the head of the Visu.
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Next higher administrative unit was Jana
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Head of Jana was Rajan (King).
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Person who had valour and strength became the Rajan
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People lived in kingdom were Rajas
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The king was called Prajapathi.
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Kingship became hereditary
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Many chieftains formed the Mahajanapadas
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There were two Assemblies called Saba and Samiti
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Saba – Group of Elders
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Samiti – Representatives of People
Social Life
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Father was the head of the family.
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Women were on par with men
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In the field of education and religion
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There were women poets like Vishwawara, Abala, Kosa, and Lobamuthra
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Caste system was not in existence.
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Caste system was not in existence.
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Monogamy and Polygamy were in practice
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Widows’ remarriage was permitted.
Economic Life
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Cattle rearing and agriculture were the main occupations of the people during Rig Vedic Age
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Iron was used to make tools and instruments
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They destroyed the forests and made them into cultivable lands.
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Carpentry and weaving were also their occupations.
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They produced cotton and woollen clothes
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Goldsmiths made ornaments and potters made pots for household use
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Barter system was in practice.
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Rivers were used for transportation
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Their unit of currency Nishka, made of gold
Food
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They had wheat, barley, milk, curd, ghee, vegetables
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They drank intoxicating drinks like ‘Soma’ and ‘Sura’
Dresses and ornaments
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The Aryans used clothes made of cotton and wool
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Men wore dhoti and shawl.
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They also wore turbans
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Women wore upper garments and lower garments.
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Wore earrings, necklaces, bangles, anklets and wore bands on their foreheads
Religion
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The Aryans worshipped the forces of nature such as Sun, fire, air, sky and trees.
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They also worshipped Indira, Varna, Agni and Yaman.
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There was neither temple nor idol worship in the early Vedic age
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Religious sacrifices were practised
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They wrote religious principles and their explanations
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Yagas like Ashvamedha, Rajasuya and Vajapaya were conducted during poojas
Later Vedic Period: (BC 1000- BC 600)
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The period of Sama Veda, Atharvana Veda, Yajur Veda are called the Later Vedic Perio
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Aryans spread over the eastern side.
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Pre Vedic Aryans spread from Kabul to Upper Ganges
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During this period the kingdoms emerge
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During this period B r a h m a n a s , U p a n in s h a d s a n d Aranyakas were also written
Political Life
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Kingdoms like Kosala, Videham, Kuru, Magadha, Kasi, Avanthi and Panchala emerged
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Kingship became hereditary.
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Sacrifices such as Rajasuya and Ashvamedha were performed to establish his undisputed authority.
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Saba and Samithi declined
Economic Life
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Metal widely used was iron
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Handicrafts improved
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They grew paddy, sugarcane, barley and wheat.
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Cow dung was used as manure
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Cattle wealth developed.
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Caste system became rigid which was called Varna Dharma.
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Who performed sacrifices and religious ceremonies were called Brahmans
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Who performed sacrifices and religious ceremonies were called Brahmans
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The Vaishyas were the traders and farmers.
Status of women
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No improvement in the status of women
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They were subordinate to men.
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They did not inherit property
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Deprived of administrative power.
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Child marriage was prevalent
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Sati, according to which the widow would throw herself into the funeral pyre of her husband was in practice.
Education
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Brahmin students stayed in the Gurukul
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There were highly educated women like Gargi and Maitreyi.
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There were highly educated women like Gargi and Maitreyi.
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Royal children alone were taught Danur Veda (military strategy).
Religion
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The prevedic Gods lost their importance
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In this period, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra (Siva) gained importance.
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Rituals and animal sacrifices gained importance
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Rituals and animal sacrifices gained importance
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People had faith in soul, fate and moksha
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Against these meaningless rituals and costly sacrifices, Buddhism and Jainism originated.
