Introduction :

The Vedic period or Vedic Age of Indian History talks about the long period of history in ancient India with particular customs and devotion to religion. In this era, Vedas were formed which was the primary source for gathering knowledge in various fields till now. The Veda are the oldest holy books in Hinduism and were formed during (1500 -600 BCE). This era is remarkable in transforming from semi-nomadic to long-term agricultural settlement and creating new fundamental aspects in society, such as social, political, and religious aspects. Vedic civilization is also a term which is used in the various sources.

Through this article, we focus on the different sides of the Vedic age, which consist of the period, the beginning of the Vedic period, and the social systems of the Vedic age. The Vedic period is also known as the Vedic civilization or the Vedic culture.

What is Veda?

• The word Veda originates from Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, Veda means “knowledge”. The Veda is also known as the oldest holy scripture of Hinduism. Veda is a collection of poems and hymns.
• The period is a bunch of Hymns.
• The Vedas are scribbled in archaic Sanskrit which includes philosophical teachings.
• The Vedas contemplate as shruti, which is intact to” that which is heard”

Veda is divided into four Vedas:

• Rigveda: Rigveda is the oldest Veda which includes Hymns of various Gods.
•  Yajurveda: Yajurveda is the second Veda which contains instructions for rituals.
•   Samveda:  Samveda is the second last Veda which consists of chants and melodious songs.
• Atharvaveda: Atharvaveda is the last Veda which includes black magic spells.               

History of the Vedic Period

Origin

The history of the Vedic age is marked when the Indo-Aryan migrations began towards the Indian Subcontinent. When the Indus Valley Civilisation fell down Veda periods began to start. A group of people from Central Asia around the area of the north Caspian Sea known as the Indo-Aryan migrated into Northern India and began to become fit to live in India.

        Indo-European migration theory states that the Indo-Aryan people belonged to a large area and Indo-European families then began to migrate to the  Iranian plateaus and then Indian Subcontinent. 

       Some scholars have suggested that the entry time of the Indo-Aryan was around 1500 BCE in the Indian Subcontinent. However, some scholars estimated the time a few centuries earlier or later.

Their journey was spread over many centuries. They initially resided in Northwest India, now the area that comes under Pakistan (present-day), Afghanistan, and Northern India. This was the turning point in the history of the Indian Subcontinent. They brought the Sanskrit language which ultimately became the cultural language of the Vedic period.

The Information about Indo-Aryans migration into the Indian Subcontinent comes from the Rigveda – Samhita which is the oldest scripture of the Vedic period which was written 1400-1000 BCE. Their unique religious customs also came with them which has various similarities with Iranian and Indo-European cultures. These were similarities of Indra God.

Vedic Period ( 1500-600 BCE)

In the context of society and culture, The timeline of the Vedic Period is divided into two stages:

• The Early Vedic Period is also known as the Rigvedic period. It was the period when the Rigveda was written between 1500-1000 BCE
• Another period is known as the Later Vedic Period. This period includes another Three Veda: Yajurveda, samveda, and Atharvaveda which count between 1000-600 BCE.

Early Vedic period (1500-1000 BCE)

The religious beliefs of the early Indo-Aryan period can be captured in the Rigveda, the oldest literature document. which is believed to have been written in 1500-1200 BCE among the oldest written scriptures in History. This Veda primarily includes the Hymns and Prayers of God and Goddess

Indra “the Deity of Thunder and War”, Agni “the Deity of Fire”, and Varuna “the God of the cosmic order” are the God and Goddesses primarily mentioned in the Oldest and ancient texts during the Vedic period.

Rigveda also provides knowledge about the conflicts between Aryans and Various Kings.

• Structure of Rigveda:  

Rigveda is made up of 1028 hymns, well managed and arranged in Ten Books or Mandalas. These are scribbled in Sanskrit. These hymns are organized according to the themes, poems, and deities.

• The Ten Mandalas:

1. Mandalas 1-5: These are part of the Oldest sections of Rigveda it is believed that these sections were scribbled by the Indo-Aryan settlers on the Indian Subcontinents. These hymns mainly focus on the Deities Indra, Agni, and Varuna.
2. Mandals 6-7: These sections of the manuals include the aspects of social and Political. This section covers the concept of the Throne, spiritual peace, and devotions. Soma and Vayu are deities which are worshipped in these sections.
3. Mandals 8-9: Here the Books contemplate the Interaction with the God of a people and the Nature of the Cosmos. That’s why these mandalas or Books are more intellectual in Nature.
4. Mandalas 10: This section is more diverse and complex to understand because it includes topics that consist of more philosophical topics like the Nature of Life and Creation’s nature.

This Veda is more intellectual than others because it includes various topics that are related to philosophy like the Nature of the Universe, the mystery of death and life, and Rebirth.

Later Vedic period (1000-600 BCE):

During this time the Idea of Religion in Veda was more described and the Society and Political structure became more complex. This period was transformative towards the Society structure. This period was constructed following the early Vedic period or Rigveda with a mixture of The Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. New texts also emerged like Brahmanas and the Upanishad. Which also captured philosophical ideas. During this period the Caste system became more rigid. Semi-nomadic people who used to be temporary members of any place started to become settled tribes which included trade, and agriculture, and started building fixed settlements.

Society developed into more difficult to understand. Janpadas also emerged at the end of the Vedic period. The Indo-Aryan also enlarged their control over the south and east, now this region is known as the region of Ganga- yamuna Doab.

Composition of Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda:

The complexity of the Society became the reason for the Emergence of New religious texts. These texts were defined as the Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.

The Atharvaveda( composed around 800 BCE): Atharvaveda is a compilation of hymns, spells, and Black magic formulas for health and wellness. It is more connected with daily life tasks, preventing illness, and coping with natural disasters    

The Yajurveda ( written around 1000 BCE):  This text mainly focuses on the offering and devotion. It provides the information for worshiping any God and performing various religious Ceremonies. This text is most of the time used by priests to guide people for spiritual performance.

The Samveda ( around 900 BCE):  IT is one of the Veda among the other four. It is a musical version of the Rigveda’s hymns and highlights the chanting and singing of hymns when the ritual of sacrifice is being performed, It is a compilation of 1549 Vedic Sanskrit Verses.

Political Structure of The Vedic Period: 

The Political structure of the Vedic Period was based on tribal and clan Organization. It was not centralized. the earlier type of Government modified as the society became more intricate. Here Authority was divided between various groups Raja, Priest (Brahmans),  Warrior (Kshatriya), and common People.

In the early Vedic period, The political organization system of the Vedic Period was easy to Understand where The Raja (King) governed over the tribal (Janas). The tribal assemblies (Sabha and Samiti) which include elders and warriors frequently keep an eye on the King’s practice by making Judgements, and decisions on various crucial issues like Warfare, war, and Peace treaties. Later as Society and advancement came the priests were the most influential people in Governance.

Social Structure of the Vedic Period:

The Vedic Society was based on the Varna system which was divided into four parts and became the foundation of the Vedic Age:

• Brahmins: who were known for Performing rituals and retaining knowledge here mostly Priests and Scholars were present.
• Kshatriyas: they were responsible for protecting the land and people, Warriors and rulers were present here.
• Vaishyas: They were responsible for the Trade and financial Outputs. Merchants and Farmer were found to be in this category
• Shudras: Workers and service providers, serve the needs of the other above-mentioned three varnas.

The beginning of the Caste system or Varna system was not that rigid but later with time, it became more rigid in Indian History. In the beginning, it was based on Occupation but the focus of the caste system was shifted to Birth.

Gotra was also the main concern in the society of the Vedic period. People believed that those who belonged to the same Gotra were derived from the same ancestors. Same Gotra people can’t marriage to each other. This system was not present in the early Vedic period.

Religion Structure of Vedic Period:

Vedic Period people worship was based on the Gods which were related to natural elements. Primary Gods were : 

• Indra: the King of God which is related to thunder, rain, and war.
• Agni: The God of fire which is vital to the sacrifice activities.
• Varuna: The God of protecting the universal laws.

The Religion of the Vedic period was most ritualistic, which mostly focused on the Sacrifices to make sure they controlled natural disasters like rainfall and victory in battle. These rituals were mostly done by the Priest (Brahman).

 conclusion:

The intellectual and cultural foundation that still shapes Indian society today was greatly influenced by the Vedic era. The Vedas and other Vedic books’ continued significance in influencing Indian philosophical traditions, the caste system, and religious activities is proof of its legacy. It remains an important turning point in the lengthy history of the Indian subcontinent, even though it was also characterized by slow transformations, such as the Upanishads’ transition from ritualistic behaviors to the study of philosophy.