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The Aryans
The word Aryan literally means of high birth. Veda means mantra and slokas and also known as knowledge and conscience.
The Aryans and the Vedic Age
- Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC)
- Later Vedic Period (1000-600 BC)
- They migrated from Central Asia in several groups between 2000-1500 BC and settle in Afghanistan, modern Pakistan, Punjab and Western U.P.
- This region is popularly known as land of seven rivers or “Sapta Sindva” (The Indus and its five tributaries Vitasta, ASkini, Vipas, Parushni, Sutudri and Saraswati).
- The mention of the Pre-Aryan forts could have been of Harappan settlements.
- The Aryans, a group of warriors, emerged in northern India around 1500 BCE. The majority of Aryans were nomadic cattle herders, engaging in occasional slash-and-burn agriculture.
- A group of Aryans would carefully and skillfully use cutting tools to remove the trees from a specific area of land, with the intention of transforming it into a field. Months later, after the vegetation had dried, they proceeded to ignite it. The ashes that remained after the fire had occurred served as a source of nourishment for the soil during several consecutive periods of growth. The Aryans, an ancient civilization, would engage in a practice of relocating to a different region once the fertility of the soil in their current area had been depleted.
- The Aryans, unlike the Indus River Valley culture that came before them in the region, did not establish permanent settlements due to their nomadic lifestyle. They did not stay in one place for an extended period of time.
- The Aryans, as we have learned, were indeed highly skilled warriors. Their proficiency in warfare was a significant aspect of their society and played a crucial role in their historical development. It is important to recognize and appreciate the military prowess of the Aryans, as it greatly influenced their interactions with Their experience as cattle herders enabled them to become skilled horsemen. Just like the Assyrians of Mesopotamia, the Aryans also constructed chariots equipped with spoke wheels. These spoke wheels provided several advantages, such as increased speed and improved maneuverability, making them superior to chariots that had solid wheels.
- The military skills possessed by the Aryans enabled them to conquer and dominate the indigenous Dravidian population, resulting in the widespread dissemination of their language & culture throughout the majority of the subcontinent. Around 1000 BCE, it is believed that the Aryans made the significant discovery of iron ore in the Ganges River Valley.
- The heavy monsoon rains have resulted in the development of dense vegetation in the valley. When the Aryans removed the trees and brush from the area, they were able to reveal the presence of highly fertile land. This fertile land provided them with the opportunity to engage in permanent farming along the banks of the Ganges river. Within a span of 500 years, the various villages that were established by the Aryans had experienced significant growth and evolved into small states.
- The Aryans, an ancient group of people, communicated using Sanskrit, a language that bears resemblance to several European languages. However, it is important to note that Sanskrit differs from the Dravidian languages that were spoken in India prior to the Aryan invasion. The linguistic similarities between Sanskrit and European languages indicate that the Aryans potentially migrated from present-day Afghanistan, traversing the towering Hindu Kush mountains.
- The initial group of Aryans who settled on the subcontinent did not possess the ability to read or write. However, they did possess a significant and valuable oral tradition. Throughout the course of many centuries, Aryan songs and epic poems were transmitted from one generation to another through the oral tradition.
- Around 500 BCE, the Aryans initiated the creation of a collection of texts known as the Vedas, which were derived from their ancestral narratives.
- The terms "Veda" is derived from the Sanskrit language and it carries the meaning of "knowledge". The Rig Veda, which is a compilation of over 1000 poems, has managed to endure throughout history and is still present in our world today.
Rigvedic or Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC)
Early Vedic Period had knowledge of rivers Yamuna, Saraswati, and Ganga. Ocean was mentioned as Samudra and Snow Mountain as Himvat and desert land as Dhawa.
River Mentioned in Rig Veda
Rigveda Names | Modern Names |
Sindhu | Indus |
Vitasta | Jhelum |
Askini | Chenab |
Parushni | Ravi |
Vipas | Beas |
Shutudri | Sutlej |
Gomati | Gumal |
Kubha | Kabul |
Nandi Tara | Saraswati |
Gumal | Gomati |
Economy
- Aryans followed a mixed economy consisting of both agriculture and pastoralism.
- They possessed better knowledge in agriculture and ploughshare is mentioned in the Rig Veda. It was made up of wood and drawn by the ox.
- Cow was the standard unit of exchange. Gold coins like Nishka, Krishna and Satmana were also in use. Godhuli was used as a measure of time and Gauyuti as measure of distance.
Polity
- The election of the king was by the tribal assembly called Samiti.
- The Samiti was the National Assembly of people, while the Sabha was council of elders.
- There was no regular Army. However, there were groups of Infantry and Charioteers.
- Weapons were made up of stone, bones, woods and metal were used.
Society
- Kinship was the basis of society Structure. People gave primary loyalty to the tribe, which was called Jana.
- Another term that stands for tribe in Rig Veda is Vis.
- Vis was divided into grama. When grama clashed with one another, it caused the sangrama or war.
- Varna was the term used for the color of people, which were classified into four Varnas.
- Brahmins (teacher and priests), Kshatriyas (ruler and administrators), Vaishyas (merchants and bankers), Sudras (artisans and labourers).
Rigvedic Gods
- Rigvedic believe in nature worship and not in erecting temple or idol worship. They performed Yajnas in open areas.
- Soma to be considered as God of plants and an intoxicating drink is named after him.
Types of Deities
Gods | Associated Field |
Indra/Purandar | Breaker of Fort |
Agni | Fire God |
Varuna | Water God |
Surya | God with seven horses |
Mitra | Solar God |
Vishnu | One, who covered Earth in three steps, Upakarma |
Rudra | God of Animals |
Sindhu | River Goddess |
Yama | God of Death |
Marut | Personified storm |
The Dasarajan War
In ancient times, India was under the rule of the Bharata clan. During this period, they encountered resistance from ten different kings, consisting of five Aryans and five non-Aryans.
The battle fought among them is commonly referred to as the Battle of Ten Kings or the Dasarajan War.
The battle, which took place on the river Parushni or Ravi, was won by the Sudas.
Later, the Bharatas collaborated with the Purus to establish a new clan known as the Kurus.
During the later Vedic times, it is noteworthy that the kurus and the panchalas held significant influence in the political landscape of the upper gangetic plains. These two groups collaborated to establish their respective rules in this region.
Later Vedic Period (1000-600 BC)
(Painted Greyware Phase)
Later Vedic text refers to river Narmada, Sadanira etc. Vindhya Mountain and territorial division of India into Aryavarta (Northern India), Madhyadesh (Central India), Dakshinapatha (Southern India), Aryans expanded from Punjab over the whole Western UP covered by Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
Polity
- Formation of large kingdoms for all practical purposes kingship became hereditary.
- Assembly lost its importance and royal power increased at their cost.
- Vidhata totally disappeared.
- Women were no longer permitted to attend assemblies.
- The terms Rashtra indicting territory first appeared in this period.
- Taitariya Brahmana refers to the theory to the theory of divine origin of kingship.
- Satapatha Brahmana refers to twelfth Ratninas or Civil functionaries of the time.
Twelve Ratninas
Purohita | The Priest |
Mahishi | Chief Queen |
Yuvaraja | Crown Prince |
Suta | The royal heraid |
Bhagadugha | Tax Collector |
Akshavapa | Accountant |
Palagala | Friend of King |
Govikarta | Head of forest department |
Senani | The General |
Gramani | Head of the village |
Kshatri | Gateman |
Sangrahitri | Treasure |
Society
The fourfold division of society became clearer.
Brahmin
The growing cult of sacrifice enormously added to the power of Brahmins.
Kshatriyas
They were the agriculturalist, cattle readers, traders, artisans and metal workers.
Shudra
- Lowest in the social hierarchy and born to serve the upper three varna
- The ashram system was formed to attain four purusharthas.
- Position of women declined.
- In this period pratiloma vivah was not permitted.
- Economy
- Agriculture became the chief economic activity. Manure was wheat, rice, barley, beans and sesame.
- Tin, silver and iron was now known to the people.
Religion
- Rituals became important in the cult of sacrifice.
- Prajapati became the supreme God. Vishnu was conceived as the preserver and protector of people.
- Pushan responsible for will being of cattle became the God of Shudras.
- The Vedic Literature.
- The word Veda comes from the word Vid means to know or knowledge.
- Vedic texts are divided between Sruti and Smriti.
- Veda are divided into Samhitas.
Rig Veda
- One of the oldest religious text in the world.
- Collection of hymns composed around 1700 BC contains 1028 hymns and is divided into mandalas.
- II to VII are the earliest mandalas of which is described at a particular family of Rishi Gritsamad, Visvamitra Vamadeva, Atri, Bhardwaja, Vashistha.
- VIII mandala is ascribed to Kanvas and Angiras.
- IX mandala is the compilation of Soma hymns.
- Xth mandala contains the famous Purushasukta hymn which explains that the four varnas were vorn from the mouth, arms, thighs, & feet of the creator Brahma.
- The IIIrd mandala contains the Gayatri Mantra which was compiled in the praise of Sun God Savitri.
- Saraswati is the deity river in the Rig Veda.
Sama Veda
- Sama Veda derives its roots from saman which means melodies.
- It is a collection of melodies.
- The hymns of the Sama Veda were recited by Udhatri at the soma sacrifice.
- It contains Dhrupad Raga.
Yajur Veda
Deals with the procedures for the performance of sacrifices.
The beliefs and rituals of non-Aryans are written in it.
Two text of Yajur Veda
- Shukla – White
- Krishan – Black
- Atharva Veda
It is a book of magical formulae.
It contains charms and spells towards off evil and disease.
The Upanishads
- The term Upanishads is the knowledge acquired by sitting close to the teacher
- Also called Vedarita because they denote the last phase of Vedic period.
- They are spirituals and philosophical in nature and they reveal the aim of Vedas
- They define the doctrine of Karma, Atman, and Brahma origin of universe.
- There are 108 Upanishadas and the period of 800 BC to 500 BC is known as period of Upanishadas.
- 11 are predominant and they are called mokhya Upanishads.
Brahmanas
- These are the prose commentaries on various Vedic Hymans
- They explain the Vedas in an orthodox way
- They explain the hidden meaning behind the hymns. They are ritualistic by nature
The Aranyakas
- The sages dwelling in the forests explained the Vedic scriptures to their pupils in the form of Aranyakas
- These have magical power and they form the concluding part of Brahmanas
- It provides details of the rishis, living in Jungle
Vedangas
They are the limbs of the Vedas
These are treated of Science and Arts
- Shiksha
- Kalpa
- Vyakarana
- Nirukta
- Chhanda
- Jyotisha
- Upavedas
There are four Veda
- Dhanurveda – deals with art of warfare
- Gandharvaveda – deals with art and music
- Shastreshastra – deals with military technology
- Ayur Veda – deals with medicine
Philosophy
Six system of Hindu philosohies
- Nyaya – Gautama
- Sankhya – Kapila
- Purva Mimansa – Jaimini
- Vaisesika – Kannada
- Yoga – Patanjali
- Uttar Mimansa – Vyasa
Puranas
- These include mythology, cosmogony various legends, flok belief, law codes and miscellaneous topics
- It refers to the change in the mode of worship and visual appeal of deities as against worship of ideas
Sutra
- Sutra literature is divided into three classes
- Srauta Sutra – dealing with large public sacrifies
- Griha Sutra – dealing with rituals connected with birth, naming, marriage.
- Dharma Sutra – explain social and local customs
Epic
Mahabharata
- Witten by Ved Vyas is older than the “Ramayana”
- The Mahabharata consisted of 880 verses then it was raised to 24000 verses.
- The final compilation brought the number of verses to 100000.
- Ramayana Witten by Valmiki originally consisted of 6000 verses which was raised to 12000 and finally 24000 verses.
