Question

Hey !!

Write about Later Vedic Age ?

Answer 1

During the Later Vedic Age (1000-600 B.C.) the Aryans thoroughly subdued the fertile plains watered by Rivers like: Yamuna, Ganges and Sadanira.

Chronology

The period of 1500 B.C and 600 B.C was divided into Early Vedic Age (Vedic Period) and Later Vedic Age.

• Vedic Period: 1500 B.C- 1000 B.C; It was in this period, Aryans were supposed to have invaded India.

• Later Vedic Period: 1000 B.C- 600 B.C

Characteristics

I. Later Vedic Compositions

• This period is based on the Vedic texts compiled after the Veda.

• The collection of Vedic hymns or mantras is called the Samhita.

• Since the hymns were sung, the Veda was set to tune and was then named the Sama Veda Samhita.

• Two more collections were composed during this period: the Yajur Veda Samhita and the Atharva Veda Samhita.

• The hymns in the Yajur Veda are accompanied by rituals that reflect the socio-political structure of the society.

• The Atharva Veda contains charms and spells that were supposed to ward off evil. They reflected the beliefs and practices of the non-Aryans.

• The Samhitas were followed by a series of texts called Brahmanas which explained the social and religious aspects of rituals.

II. The Painted Grey Ware

• Excavation in the upper Gangetic basin has led to the discovery of earthen bowls and dishes made of painted grey pottery.

• These wares are part of the same area and the same period (circa 1000-600 BC) as the post-Vedic compilations.

• Thus, these sites are called Painted Grey Ware (PGW) sites.

• These sites can be found in western Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

III. Iron Phase Culture

• Iron gained prominence from around 1000 BC and was also found inside burials in Pakistan and Baluchistan.

• Iron was used to make weapons such as arrow-heads and spear- heads in Uttar Pradesh from around 800 BC.

• The terms ‘Syama’ or ‘Krishna ayas’ are used to refer to iron in the later Vedic texts.

• Although agriculture was primitive, it was widespread and the prevalence of rice and wheat grew in the later Vedic age.

• Introduction of metals led to the rise of diverse arts and crafts. Occupations like those of smelters, iron and copper smiths and carpenters came into existence.

• There were four types of pottery in the later Vedic age: black-and-red ware, black-slipped ware, painted grey ware, and red ware.

Answer 2

Political Organisation during Later Vedic Period:

The kingdom in the later Vedic period became much larger than in the early Vedic period. Ashvamedha (horse sacrifices) were performed and the ideal of setting up empires gained popularity with the kings. It may be noted that no real conquest was really made and tribes like Kuru, Panchalas, Kosalas and Videhas were never amalgamated into a single tribe.

1. Kingship:

Monarchy continued to be the prevailing system of government in the later Vedic period. The post of the king became hereditary. In the case of Srinjayas we hear that the monarchy lasted for 10 generations. In the later Vedic texts a number of theories regarding the origin of State and kingship have been offered.

For example, in the Aitareya Brahmana we are told that there was a war between the gods and demons. In this war the gods suff­ered several reverses.

Ultimately they analyse the situation and reached the conclusion that their defeat was due to a lack of common king. Therefore, they decided to make Soma their king and ulti­mately scored a victory over the demons. This story clearly shows that the kingship was evolved out of political necessity and the king was elected.

Similarly in Satapatha Brahmana we get a reference, which points out that before the State was created people were living in the State of nature. During the state of nature might was right and the life was insecure. With a view to get rid of these uncertain conditions people elected a king who promised them security of life and property in return for a tribute.

These references in the later Vedic literature clearly indicate that the scientific spirits of enquiry into the political and social institutions had come into existence.

During the later Vedic period kingship came to be attached with element of divinity. In Atharva Veda king Parikshat has been described as god amongst men. Similarly in the Aitareya Brahmana the victories of the king had been attributed to the favour of Lord indra.

The Samiritis and Puranas have also definitely claimed divi­nity for the king. For example. Manu clearly declares that the king is great divinity in human form. His body is formed by the Creator by taking particles from the bodies of divine guardians of the eight quarter.

Again the Bhagavata Purana says that a number of divinities reside in the person of king. It states that various sacrifices performed by the king like Ashvamedha and Vajapeya ena­bled the king to obtain parity with the gods. It may be noted that though the king was given the element of divinity his powers did not become absolute. He was required to respect the laws of the land and could not behave in an autocratic manner.

There were certain other limitations also on the authority of the king. The king could also be elected and there are references in Atharva Veda of his expulsion, re-election and restorations to the throne. The king had to take an oath of loyalty to the constitution and law at the time of his coronation. There is also the mention of king taking approval or Anumati of the earth.

The Sabha and the Samiti also acted as a check on the king. These two bodies have been described as the twin daughters of God Prajapati, and therefore, were no less divine creations than the kingship.

hope it helps you .