The Vedic Age Chapter Notes | Footprints Class 6: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

The Indo-Aryans

• The Indus Valley Civilization came to an end around 1,500 BCE.
• After that, a new group of people called the Aryans arrived in North-west India.
• These Aryans originally lived in the Steppes, a region stretching from southern Russia to Central Asia.
• The Aryans migrated to North-west India, which is why they are also called Indo-Aryans.
• They spoke Indo-European languages, which later gave rise to Sanskrit.
• The Rig Veda, one of the Vedas, tells us that the early Vedic Aryans were familiar with north-western India and Punjab.

The Vedas

• The term 'Veda' means 'wisdom' or 'knowledge.'
• There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.
• The Rig Veda is the oldest and contains hymns praising various Vedic gods.
• The Sama Veda has hymns meant to be sung during religious ceremonies.
• The Yajur Veda contains rules for religious ceremonies and rituals.
• The Atharva Veda contains songs, spells, and charms to ward off evil spirits.

The Vedas and the Vedic Period

• The Rig Veda is the oldest of the Vedas, composed about 3,500 years ago (around 1500 BCE), marking the Early Vedic Period.
• It contains about 1,025 hymns called suktas, meaning 'well-said,' which praise various Vedic gods.
• UNESCO has included the Rig Veda in the Memory of the World Register for its significance to world heritage.
• The Sama Veda contains hymns sung by a special class of priests during religious ceremonies and sacrifices.
• The Yajur Veda outlines rules for performing religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and rituals.
• The Atharva Veda includes songs, spells, and magical charms to ward off evil spirits.
• The last three Vedas were composed during the Later Vedic Period (around 1000 BCE).
• Initially, the Vedas were oral compositions and were written down in manuscripts several hundred years later.
• The hymns of the Vedas praise various gods. In the Rig Veda, the most important gods are Indra, Agni, and Varuna, with some hymns dedicated to goddesses Usha and Aditi.
• In the later Vedas, Prajapati, Vishnu, and Rudra become significant gods.

Early Vedic Period

• The Rig Veda is the primary source for information about the Early Vedic period.

Political Life

• Society was divided into different tribes, each with its ruler called 'rajan.'
• Rajans were elected based on bravery and leadership abilities, not hereditary.
• They didn't collect taxes but relied on voluntary contributions (bali).
• Decision-making involved tribal assemblies like 'sabha' and 'samiti.'
• Priests, known as 'purohitas,' were crucial in ritual matters.
• Chariot-makers had high status in society.

Economic Life

• People practiced agriculture and cattle rearing.
• Key crops included wheat, barley, and cotton.
• Cows were highly valued and considered a form of wealth.
• Various skilled craftsmen, like potters, weavers, and carpenters, were present in society.

Social Life

• Early Vedic society was based on kinship, with loyalty to one's tribe or 'jana.'
• Three main occupational groups: warriors, priests, and common people.
• Family was the basis of society and patriarchal, with the father as the head.
• Monogamy (one spouse) was practiced.
• Society was divided into four castes: brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras.
• There were also 'dasas' or servants.

Religion

• In the Early Vedic Period, people worshipped gods through prayers and sacrifices, not in temples with idols.
• Gods included Indra, Agni, Varuna, Surya, Soma, and more.
• Later Vedic texts introduced Prajapati, Vishnu, and Rudra as important gods.
• They offered prayers and sacrifices to please the gods.

Recreation

• Vedic people enjoyed chariot racing, horse racing, hunting, dice games, dance, and music.
• They also consumed dairy products, soma (an intoxicating drink), and sura (a type of liquor) during festive occasions.

Later Vedic Period

Many changes took place from the Early to the Later Vedic Period. During this time, the Upanishads, Aranyakas, and the two epics—the Ramayana and the Mahabharata—were composed.

Political Life

• The position of the king became more powerful and hereditary.
• Voluntary contributions were forcibly collected.
• The king's influence was strengthened through rituals and public sacrifices.
• The Ashvamedha, Rajasuya, and Vajapeya were important royal sacrifices.

Economic Life

• Agriculture was the main occupation.
• Iron tools and implements began to be used.
• People used Painted Grey Ware for pottery.
• Various sites have been excavated, showing evidence of rice cultivation and advanced agricultural techniques.

Social Life

• Occupations became more fixed, and social groups became rigid.
• Only a brahmana's son could become a brahmana.
• Social differences became more pronounced.

Religious Life

• Changes in religious practices included the emergence of new gods like Prajapati, Vishnu, and Rudra.
• People asked for children, cattle, food, wealth, and health through worship and sacrifices.

Four Ashramas

• Life was divided into four stages: Brahmachatya (student life), Grihastha (householder life), Vanaprastha (hermit life), and Sanyasa (renunciation of worldly life).

Case Study: Megalithic Cultures in India (Deccan)

• Megaliths are large stone structures with religious or commemorative significance.
• Many megalithic cultures existed in different regions, including Deccan.
• These cultures used iron tools, practiced agriculture, hunting, fishing, and had craft traditions.
• Megaliths were used to mark burial sites.
• Social differences were visible in burials.

A Closer Look at Deccan Burials

• In Maharashtra, particularly around Nagpur, the Megalithic people practiced ceremonial burial rituals and constructed large circular arrangements of stones around burial sites.
• At the Jorwe site, individuals were buried inside houses beneath the floor. Children were interred in paired urns placed horizontally in pits, while adults were laid to rest in a supine position with their heads facing north.
• Inamgaon, a Chalcolithic site, also in Maharashtra, saw adults primarily buried within houses, positioned straight with their heads pointing north.