Early vedic civilization

Early vedic civilization

1. Aryans

   • Arrived from NE Iran and central Asia
     • Settled in India- known as Indo Aryans
   • 4 types of vedas
     • Yajur veda
     • Sama veda
     • Atharva veda
     • Rig veda

2. Political Organization

   • Sabha
     • council of elder, important people of the tribe
       • Advised the Rajan on important issues
   • Samiti
     • Kept check on the powers of the Rajan
       • General assembly
         • All members could participate
   • Jana= tribe
     • Ruled by Rajan = chief
       • Senani= Military Commander
         • Purohita= Chief Priest
           • Gramani- Village headman

3. 2 periods

   • Early vedic age
     • land of 7 rivers
       • Satpasindhu
         • called this region Brahmavarta
     • Migrated to gangetic valley
       • Called this area Aryavarta
   • Later vedic age

4. Social Life

   • Family
     • mainly lived in joint families
     • eldest male member= Grihapati
   • Position of women
     • Attended samiti meetings
     • Recieved education
   • Food
     • Aryans ate: barley, fruits, vegetables and meat
     • Sura: drunk on common festive occasions
       • Soma: drunk on religious ceremonies
   • Dress
     • sheep's wool was used for weaving cloth
     • both wore ornaments made of silver and gold
   • Recreation
     • chariot racing
     • hunting
     • gambling
     • singing
     • dancing
     • playing musical instruments
   • Social Divisions
     • Brahamas= priests
     • Kshatriyas= warriors
     • Vaishyas= farmers, crafstmen, traders
     • Shudras= slaves

5. Religious life

   • Worshipped forces of nature
     • Indra= rain god
     • Surya= Sun god
     • Varuna= sky god
     • Agni= fire god
   • did not worship any idols
   • Recited hymns and prayers in praise of different gods
   • performed yagnas

6. Economic life

   • domesticated cows
     • used to pull chariots
   • learnt to cultivate different crops
   • all implements were made of wood and copper till discovery of iron