PPT: The Vedic Period | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Advent of Aryans & Rig 
Vedic Period
Page 2


Advent of Aryans & Rig 
Vedic Period
Original Home and Identity
1
The Aryans were Indo-
European nomads who 
migrated across Eurasia, 
united by shared language 
and cultural identity.
2
As speakers of Indo-
European languages, they 
originated from the steppes 
between Russia and Central 
Asia, later spreading across 
Europe, Iran, and India.
3
Their nomadic lifestyle 
centered on pastoralism, with 
agriculture as a secondary 
occupation. Horse 
domestication enabled their 
expansion into Western Asia 
by 2000 B.C.
Page 3


Advent of Aryans & Rig 
Vedic Period
Original Home and Identity
1
The Aryans were Indo-
European nomads who 
migrated across Eurasia, 
united by shared language 
and cultural identity.
2
As speakers of Indo-
European languages, they 
originated from the steppes 
between Russia and Central 
Asia, later spreading across 
Europe, Iran, and India.
3
Their nomadic lifestyle 
centered on pastoralism, with 
agriculture as a secondary 
occupation. Horse 
domestication enabled their 
expansion into Western Asia 
by 2000 B.C.
Rig Veda and Aryan Origins
The Rig Veda is our main source on 
the Aryans, who migrated from Central 
Asia to Iran and India. The term Arya 
appears throughout, identifying them 
as a distinct cultural group.
As the oldest Indo-European text, the 
Rig Veda comprises ten mandalas with 
prayers to deities like Agni, Indra, 
Mitra, and Varun.
The Rig Veda shares deity names and 
social terminology with the Iranian 
Avesta, confirming their common 
Indo-European roots.
Page 4


Advent of Aryans & Rig 
Vedic Period
Original Home and Identity
1
The Aryans were Indo-
European nomads who 
migrated across Eurasia, 
united by shared language 
and cultural identity.
2
As speakers of Indo-
European languages, they 
originated from the steppes 
between Russia and Central 
Asia, later spreading across 
Europe, Iran, and India.
3
Their nomadic lifestyle 
centered on pastoralism, with 
agriculture as a secondary 
occupation. Horse 
domestication enabled their 
expansion into Western Asia 
by 2000 B.C.
Rig Veda and Aryan Origins
The Rig Veda is our main source on 
the Aryans, who migrated from Central 
Asia to Iran and India. The term Arya 
appears throughout, identifying them 
as a distinct cultural group.
As the oldest Indo-European text, the 
Rig Veda comprises ten mandalas with 
prayers to deities like Agni, Indra, 
Mitra, and Varun.
The Rig Veda shares deity names and 
social terminology with the Iranian 
Avesta, confirming their common 
Indo-European roots.
Geographical Spread of Aryans
1
Kassite inscriptions (1600 B.C.) in Iraq and 
Mitanni inscriptions (14th century B.C.) mark 
Aryan migration into India.
2
Early Aryans inhabited Afghanistan, NWFP, 
Punjab, and western UP. The Rig Veda cites the 
Kubha, Indus and its five branches, with Indus 
(Sindhu) as their main river.
3
The sacred Saraswati, known as Naditama, 
completed the Land of the Seven Rivers, their 
first Indian homeland.
Page 5


Advent of Aryans & Rig 
Vedic Period
Original Home and Identity
1
The Aryans were Indo-
European nomads who 
migrated across Eurasia, 
united by shared language 
and cultural identity.
2
As speakers of Indo-
European languages, they 
originated from the steppes 
between Russia and Central 
Asia, later spreading across 
Europe, Iran, and India.
3
Their nomadic lifestyle 
centered on pastoralism, with 
agriculture as a secondary 
occupation. Horse 
domestication enabled their 
expansion into Western Asia 
by 2000 B.C.
Rig Veda and Aryan Origins
The Rig Veda is our main source on 
the Aryans, who migrated from Central 
Asia to Iran and India. The term Arya 
appears throughout, identifying them 
as a distinct cultural group.
As the oldest Indo-European text, the 
Rig Veda comprises ten mandalas with 
prayers to deities like Agni, Indra, 
Mitra, and Varun.
The Rig Veda shares deity names and 
social terminology with the Iranian 
Avesta, confirming their common 
Indo-European roots.
Geographical Spread of Aryans
1
Kassite inscriptions (1600 B.C.) in Iraq and 
Mitanni inscriptions (14th century B.C.) mark 
Aryan migration into India.
2
Early Aryans inhabited Afghanistan, NWFP, 
Punjab, and western UP. The Rig Veda cites the 
Kubha, Indus and its five branches, with Indus 
(Sindhu) as their main river.
3
The sacred Saraswati, known as Naditama, 
completed the Land of the Seven Rivers, their 
first Indian homeland.
Tribal Conflicts
Indra, known as Purandara, was celebrated in the Rig Veda as the 
breaker of forts, leading victories against Aryan enemies.
Aryan military superiority stemmed from their horse-drawn chariots 
and advanced weaponry, including coats of mail (Gaiman), which 
they introduced to West Asia and India.