VEDIC AGE - ASSIGNMENT
1. Where did the Aryans come from? What was their main language?
2. Name the four Vedas and write briefly about each of them?
3. Discuss the social divisions of the Vedic society.
4. What do the burials of Vedic Age tell us?
5.Whom did the early Vedic people primarily worship?
6. What was the main occupation of the people living in the Vedic era?
Answers
Answer:
1) Aryan, name originally given to a people who were said to speak an archaic Indo-European language and who were thought to have settled in prehistoric times in ancient Iran and the northern Indian subcontinent.
2) There are four "Vedic" Samhitas: the Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda and Atharva-Veda, most of which are available in several recensions (śākhā). In some contexts, the term Veda is used to refer only to these Samhitas, the collection of mantras.
3) The society was divided into four social groups— Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The later Vedic texts fixed social boundaries, roles, status and ritual purity for each of the groups.
4) Burial System in the Vedic Age:
Generally, the burial system in Vedic age was the grave burial system. The body was buried in the ground. The head was faced towards the north side. The legs were in a straight position.
5) Vedic deities were predominantly Indra, Agni (fire), Soma, Mitra – Varuna, Aryaman, Bhaga & Amsa. They used to worship nature deities such as Surya (Sun), Vayu (Wind) and Prithvi (Earth). Rivers specially Saraswati, were worshipped as the goddess.
6) The main occupation of the people was cattle rearing and their wealth was measured in number of cattle. They practiced agriculture by clearing the forests. Metals used were copper, iron and bronze. Few people worked as goldsmith, potters, spinners and carpenters.