Question

a number of new sects emerged in the later vedic period ​

Answer 1

Answer:

The historical Vedic religion (also known as Vedism or (anachronistically) ancient Hinduism[a]), and subsequent Brahmanism, constituted the religious ideas and practices among some of the Indo-Aryan peoples of northwest India and the western Ganges plain of ancient India during the Vedic period (1500–500 BC).[3][4][5][6] These ideas and practices are found in the Vedic texts.

The spread of the Vedic culture in the late Vedic period. Aryavarta was limited to northwest India and the western Ganges plain, while Greater Magadha in the east was occupied by non-Vedic Indo-Aryans.[1][2] The location of shakhas is labeled in maroon.

The Vedic religion developed during the early Vedic period (1500–1100 BCE), but has roots in the Eurasian steppe Sintashta culture (2200–1800 BCE) and the subsequent Central Asian Andronovo culture (2000–900 BCE), and possibly also the Indus Valley Civilisation (2600–1900 BCE).[7] It was a composite of the religion of the Central Asian Indo-Aryans, itself "a syncretic mixture of old Central Asian and new Indo-European elements",[8] which borrowed "distinctive religious beliefs and practices"[9] from the Bactria–Margiana culture;[9] and the remnants of the Harappan culture of the Indus Valley.[10]

During the late Vedic period (1100–500 BCE) Brahmanism, also called Brahminism, developed out of the Vedic religion, as an ideology of the Kuru-Pancala realm which expanded into a wider area after the demise of the Kuru-Pancala realm. Brahmanism was one of the major influences that shaped contemporary Hinduism, when it was synthesized with the non-Vedic Indo-Aryan religious heritage of the eastern Ganges plain (which also gave rise to Buddhism and Jainism), and with local religious traditions.[11][2][1][12][a]

Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include, among others: the Soma rituals; Fire rituals involving oblations (havir); and the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice)[13][14] The rites of grave burials as well as cremation are seen since the Rigvedic period.[15] Deities emphasized in the Vedic religion include Indra, Agni and Varuna. Important ethical concepts are satya and ṛta.

Answer 2

Later Vedic Culture and Civilization(1000-500 BCE)

The Aryans further moved towards the east in the later Vedic period. The Satapatha Brahmana refers to the expansions of Aryans to the eastern Gangetic plains. One important development during this period is the growth of large kingdoms. Kuru and Panchala kingdoms flouirished in the beginning. Parikshit and janamejaya were the famous rulers of the Kuru kingdom. Pravahana Jaivali was a popular king of Panchalas. He was a patron of learning. After the fall of Kurus and Panchalas, other kingdoms like kosals,kasi and videha came in to prominence.

The Later Vedic texts also refers to the three divisions of India

• Aryavarta(Northern India)
• Madhyadesa(central India)
• Dakshinapatha (southern India)

Later Vedic society was divide into four varnas called as Brahmanas, Rajanyas , Vaisyas and Sudras. The growing cult of sacrifices added  to the Brahmanas power. They conducted rituals and sacrifices foe their clients and for themselves. In the family the patrimonial system was developed and the women were generally given a lower rank .The institute of Gotra were appeared in the Later Vedic period .No marriage could take place between the persons having same gotra or the same ancestors . In the Later Vedic period certain craft groups like Rathakaras enjoyed a special status and had the right to wear the sacred thread.