Sample Material of Our IAS Mains History Study Kit
Subject: History (Optional)
Topic: The Vedic Culture
The cities of the Harappan Culture had declined by 1500 B.C. Consequently, their economic and administrative system had slowly declined. Around this period, the speakers of Indo-Aryan language, Sanskrit, entered the north-west India from the Indo-Iranian region.
Rivers Mentioned in Rig Veda
Initially they would have come in small numbers through the passes in the northwestern mountains. Their initial settlements were in the valleys of the north-west and the plains of the Punjab. Later, they moved into Indo-Gangetic plains. As they were mainly a cattlekeeping people, they were mainly in search of pastures. By 6th century B.C., they occupied the whole of North India, which was referred to as Aryavarta. This period between 1500 B.C and 600 B.C may be divided into the Early Vedic Period or Rig Vedic Period (1500 B.C -1000 B.C) and the Later Vedic Period (1000B.C -600 B.C).
Original Home of the Aryans
The original home of the Aryans is a debatable question and there are several views. Different scholars have identified different regions as the original home of the Aryans. They include the Arctic region, Germany, Central Asia and southern Russia. Bala Gangadhara Tilak argues that the Aryans came from the Arctic region on astronomical calculations. However, the theory of southern Russia appears to be more probable and widely accepted by historians. From there, the Aryans moved to different parts of Asia and Europe. They entered India in about 1500 B.C. and came to be known as Indo-Aryans. They spoke the Indo-Aryan language, Sanskrit.
Vedic Literature
The word ‘Veda’ is derived from the root ‘vid’, which means to know. In other
words, the term ‘Veda’ signifies ‘superior knowledge’. The Vedic literature
consists of the four Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. The Rig Veda is the
earliest of the four Vedas and it consists of 1028 hymns. The hymns were sung in
praise of various gods. The Yajur Veda consists of various details of rules to
be observed at the time of sacrifice. The Sama Veda is set to tune for the
purpose of chanting during sacrifice. It is called the book of chants and the
origins of Indian music are traced in it. The Atharva Veda contains details of
rituals.
Besides the Vedas, there are other sacred works like the Brahmanas, the
Upanishads, the Aranyakas and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Brahmanas
are the treatises relating to prayer and sacrificial ceremony. The Upanishads
are philosophical texts dealing with topic like the soul, the absolute, the
origin of the world and the mysteries of nature. The Aranyakas are called forest
books and they deal with mysticism, rites, rituals and sacrifices. The author of
Ramayana was Valmiki and that of Mahabharata was Vedavyas.
Rig Veda
• It is divided into 10 Books or Mandalas. Books II to VII are considered the
oldest. Book I, VIII and X seem to be later additions.
• A collection of 1028 hymns of a number of priestly families.
• Written between 1700-1500 B.C. when Aryans were still in Punjab.
• Books II to VII are earliest and are also called as family books. They are
attributed to Gritsamada, Visvamitra, Vasudeva. Am. Bhardwaj, Vashishtha. Kanva
and Angiras.
• The IX Mandala is dedicated exclusively to Soma
• The X Mandala contains the famous Purushsukta hymn that explains the origin of
four Varnas.
Yajur Veda
• A ritualistic Veda.
• It is divided into Shukla Yajurveda and Krishna Yajurveda.
• Atharvaveda mentions beliefs and practices of non-Aryans.
• In Atharvaveda, Sabha and Samiti are described as uterine sisters – the two
daughters of Prajapati.
• Written in prose, it deals with procedure for performance of sacrifices and
contains rituals as well as hymns.
Sama Veda
• Sam Veda derives its roots from Saman. which means a melody.
• A collection of melodies.
• A collection of 1603 hymns. Except 99, all others were derived from Rig Veda.
Atharva Veda
• A collection of 711 hymns, it is divided into 20 Kandas.
• It is the latest Veda.
• Atharva Veda is a book of magical formula.
• It contains charms and spells to ward-off evil and disease.
• Its content throws light on the practices of non-Aryans.
Chief Priests
The chief priests who were engaged in performing the sacrifices were –
a. Hotri - the Invoker, he recited hymns from Rigveda.
b. Adhvaryu - the executor, he rected hymns from Yajurvada.
c. Udgatri - the singer, he recited hymns from Samveda.
d. Brahman - Atharvveda