Early Vedic civilization
The advanced Harappan civilization, which flourished between 2500-1500 BCE,Around this time, the Aryans began to arrive in Indian several waves. They came into conflict TH with the indigenous inhabitánts called the dasyus and took over their lands. As their population increased,the Aryans were forced to move out from their original home search of new shelters and new pastures. Those who migrated to India came to be known as the
Indo-Aryans. from originally (have) the Aryans entered India in stages and took several centuries to bring India ung their control. They first settled in the sapta Sindhu region, i.e. the region of seven rivers.They named it Brahmavarta which mean land of the gods. The period between 1500 BCE.1000 BCE during which they lived here is known as the Early Vedic period.
The history of India during this period is based mainly on the Rig Veda.Hence this also known as the Rig Vedic period.
The Aryans gradually moved ahead and settled in the Gangetic Valley. This period of their settlement between 1000 BCE and 500 HCE, during which they lived in the Gangetic Plains, is known as the Later Vedic period.
VEDIC LITERATURE
Our chief source of information about the early Arvans is their religious literature known as the Vedas. The word Veda' means knowledge. The Vedas are a treasure house of the knowledge and collective wisdom of the Aryans.
There are four Vedas-
Rig Veda,
Atharva Veda,
Sama Veda and
Yajur Veda.
Each of these Vedas was first composed verbally over a period of hundreds of years and was orally handed down from generation to generation. This continued for several centuries before they were finally recorded in books.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Vedic Aryans also brought a new language to India. This language was Sanskrit. Many Indian and foreign languages have been derived from Sanskrit and therefore, it is called the mother of languages.
The Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and the epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) are the other important religious books of the Aryans.
villages called gramas. A grama was composed of a number of families. Each village was headed by a gramani.
The political structure of the Early Vedic society-cach jana, governed by a rajan, was comprised of numerous gramas and each grama, governed by a gramani was composed of numerous families.
Each tribe had its own chieftain or rajan. The ablest and the strongest man. He protected them from enemies and looked after their welfare. He was also acknowledged as their spiritual leader. The king ruled according to the wishes of the tribe. He was assisted by a number of officials.
The rajan did not have absolute power, Two councils called the sabha and the samiti exercised control over the king.
SOCIAL LIFE
Family Life
The Aryans lived in villages. Each village was composed of a number of joint families. The head of the family was the grihapati, the eldest living male member. His decision was final and binding on all the other members
Position of Women
Women enjoyed an important position in society. Monogamy was the usual practice They were given opportunities for education . Women could choose their husbands in a ceremony called swayamvara There was no child marriage and widows were allowed to remarry
Food
The Aryans ate simple and nutritious food Wheat, barley, maize, fruits and vegetables formed their staple diet. They consumed milk and milk products. They were fond of honey and intoxicating drinks like soma and sura Meat was eaten occasionally
Recreation
The Aryans were fond of outdoor activities They enjoyed chariot racing and hunting. They also liked music and dance Indoor activities like dice and board games were popular too.
Dress
The dress of the Aryans consisted of two garments. The lower garment was an unstitched piece of cloth (like a dhoti) . The upper garment consisted of a light shawl. Both men and women wore ornaments made of gold, silver and precious stones.
Religion
The Aryans believed in one supreme power,the creator of the universe. They worshipped the different forces of nature as gods and goddesses. Indra the god of rain and thunder was the most important god Agni, the god of fire was next in importance It was believed that Agni carried messages to heaven in the form of smoke. Surya the sun god: Varuna, the god of water: Vayu, the god of wind: Soma, the god of plants. Prithvi. the goddess of the earth: Usha, the goddess of Lawn and Yama, the god of death, were some the other gods worshipped by the Aryans.
All these gods and goddesses were supposed to be different forms of the one Supreme Being. The people recited prayers in praise of these gods for of health, for the birth of sons and for cattle.
Class System
The Aryans grouped themselves according to their skills in performing certain jobs. This eventually led to the development of four dasses or vamas in the Aryan society
. Brahmanas were the educated priests and scholars who performed religious rites and imparted education
• Kshatriyas were the warriors who protected the tribe from outside attacks.
• Vaishyas were the farmers, traders and craftspeople who performed the vital task of providing food and goods for all
• Shudras were the labourers who served the other three groups and did menial jobs.
No comments:
Post a Comment