(https://byjus.

com/)

Classes COMPETITIVE EXAMS BUY A COURSE (https://shop.byjus.com/) +919243500460

(tel:919243500460)

IAS Preparation (/free-ias-prep/) UPSC Syllabus 2019 (/ias/upsc-syllabus/) UPSC Current Affairs (/current-affairs/)

UPSC Exam Details (/free-ias-prep/upsc-exam-details/) UPSC Books (/free-ias-prep/upsc-books/) UPSC Free Resources (/free-ias-prep/upsc-pdf-downloads/)

 BYJU'S IAS Coaching (/ias-coaching/) State Public Service Commission (/free-ias-prep/public-service-commission/)

 UPSC Question Paper (/free-ias-prep/upsc-question-paper/) UPSC Strategy Articles (/free-ias-prep/upsc-exam-strategy/)

UPSC Success Stories (/free-ias-prep/ias-success-stories/) IAS 2019 Mock Test (/free-ias-prep/cse-prelims-mock-test-2019/)

IAS Preparation (/free-ias-prep/) >  History syllabus for upsc prelims (/free-ias-prep/history/) >  Vedic Civilization
Type your search
Ancient History UPSC Exam (/free-ias-prep/vedic-civilization-ancient-history-upsc-exam/)

NCERT Notes: Vedic Civilization [Ancient Indian History

Notes For UPSC]
UPSC Prelims Test Series 2020
The Vedic Age was between 1500 BC and 600 BC. This is the next major civilization that occurred in ancient
India after the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization by 1400 BC. The Vedas were composed in this period and
this gives this age the name. The Vedas are also the chief source of information about this era. The Vedic Age
started with the coming of the Aryans or Indo-Aryans.

Indo-Aryan Migration

The Aryans were a semi-nomadic pastoral people.

The original homeland of the Aryans is a matter of debate with different experts suggesting different
regions from where they originated.
(https://shop.byjus.com/products/byju-s-ias-
Some say they came from the area around the Caspian Sea in Central Asia (Max Muller), while others
prelims-test-series-2020)
think they originated from the Russian Steppes. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was of the opinion that the
Aryans came from the Arctic region.
The Vedic Age started with the Aryan occupation of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
Meaning of the word Arya: Noble.
They spoke Sanskrit, an Indo-European language. Daily Updates – 01/02/2020
They led a rural, semi-nomadic life as compared to the Indus Valley people who were urbanised. Comprehensive News Analysis - 01 February, 2020
(https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-exam-
It is believed that they entered India through the Khyber Pass.
comprehensive-news-analysis-feb01-2020/)
The Hindu Video Analysis - 01 Febreuary 2020
(https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/hindu-video-
Two phases of the Vedic Period analysis-01feb-2020/)
PIB - 31 January, 2020 (https://byjus.com/free-ias-
Early Vedic Period or Rig Vedic Period (1500 BC – 1000 BC) prep/upsc-pib-summary-analysis-jan31-2020/)
Topic of the Day – Inter Creditor Agreement (ICA)
Initially, the Aryans lived in the land known as “Sapta Sindhu” (Land of the Seven Rivers). These seven rivers
(https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/inter-creditor-
were: Sindhu (Indus), Vipash (Beas), Vitasta (Jhelum), Parushni (Ravi), Asikni (Chenab), Shutudri (Satluj)
agreement-ica/)
and Saraswati.
This Day in History – 01 February 1835 - The East
Political structure: India Company acquired Darjeeling
(https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/this-day-in-history-
Monarchical form of government with a king known as Rajan.
feb01/)
Patriarchal families. Jana was the largest social unit in Rig Vedic times.
Gist of Yojana - November 2019 Issue
Social grouping: kula (family) – grama – visu – jana. (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-exam-
Tribal assemblies were called Sabhas and Samitis. Examples of tribal kingdoms: Bharatas, Matsyas, preparation-gist-yojana-nov-2019/)
Yadus and Purus. Gist of Kurukshetra - November 2019 Issue
(https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/gist-of-
Social structure:
kurukshetra-november-2019/)
Women enjoyed a respectable position. They were allowed to take part in Sabhas and Samitis. There Download - UPSC Monthly Magazine - November
were women poets too (Apala, Lopamudra, Viswavara and Ghosa). 2019 (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-
Cattle especially cows became very important. monthly-magazine/)
UPSC Mains Result 2019 (https://byjus.com/free-
Monogamy was practised but polygamy was observed among royalty and noble families.
ias-prep/upsc-mains-result/)
There was no child marriage.
Social distinctions existed but were not rigid and hereditary.

Economic structure:

They were a pastoral and cattle-rearing people. Weekly Updates

They practised agriculture. Economy This Week (6th Jan, 2020 to 12th Jan,
Products made out of copper, iron and bronze were in use. 2020) (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/economy-
They had horse chariots. this-week-6-jan-to-12-jan-2020/)
EPW January Week 2, 2020 (https://byjus.com/free-
Rivers were used for transport.
ias-prep/gist-of-epw-jan-week2-2020/)
Cotton and woollen fabrics were spun and used. Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz Feb 01 – Feb 07
Initially trade was conducted through the barter system but later on coins called ‘nishka’ were in use. (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-exam-weekly-
gk-current-affairs-quiz-feb01-feb07-2020/)
Religion:

They worshipped natural forces like earth, fire, wind, rain, thunder, etc. by personifying them into
 View more... (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/gk-
current-affairs-quiz)
deities.
Indra (thunder) was the most important deity. Other deities were Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Varuna
(rain) and Vayu (wind).
Female deities were Ushas and Aditi.
There were no temples and no idol worship. Archives
Later Vedic Period or Painted Grey Ware Phase (1000 BC – 600 BC)
February 2020
During this time, the Aryans moved eastwards and occupied western and eastern UP (Kosala) and Bihar.
M T W T F S S
Political structure:

Kingdoms like Mahajanapadas were formed by amalgamating smaller kingdoms.   1 2

(https://byjus.com/2020/02/01/)
King’s power increased and various sacrifices were performed by him to enhance his position.
Sacrifices were Rajasuya (consecration ceremony), Vajapeya (chariot race) and Ashwamedha (horse 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
sacrifice).
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
The Sabhas and Samitis diminished in importance.

Social structure: 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

The Varna system of social distinction became more distinct. This became less based on
24 25 26 27 28 29  
occupation and more hereditary.
The four divisions of society in decreasing social ranking were: Brahmanas (priests), Kshatriyas « Jan    
(rulers), Vaishyas (agriculturists, traders and artisans), and Shudras (servers of the upper three (https://byjus.com/2020/01/)
classes).
Women were not permitted to attend public assemblies like Sabhas and Samitis. Their position in
society diminished.
Child marriages became common.
Sub-castes based on occupation also emerged. Gotras were institutionalised.
IAS 2020 Mains + Prelims Tablet
Economic structure: Course
Agriculture was the chief occupation.
Industrial work like metalwork, pottery and carpentry work also was there.
There was foreign trade with far off regions like Babylon and Sumeria.

Religion:

Prajapati (creator) and Vishnu (preserver) became important gods.

Indra and Agni lost their significance.
Importance of prayers diminished and rituals and sacrifices became more elaborate.
The priestly class became very powerful and they dictated the rules of the rites and rituals. Because
(https://shop.byjus.com/products/ias-2020-pre-
of this orthodoxy, Buddhism and Jainism emerged towards the end of this period.
mains-tablet-course)

Vedic Literature

The word ‘Veda’ originated from the root ‘vid’ which means spiritual knowledge/subject of Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019
knowledge/means of acquiring knowledge. (Explained)
The four Vedas are: Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva.
Rig Veda was composed during the Early Vedic Age. The other three were written in the Later Vedic
Age.
Rig Veda – this is the oldest religious text in the world. It contains 1028 hymns and is classified into
10 mandalas.
Yajur Veda – this deals with the ways to perform rituals.
Sama Veda – deals with music. Indian music is said to be originated from Sama Veda.
Atharva Veda – contains spells and magical formula.
Other Vedic texts were the Brahmanas (explains the meaning of sacrifices); Upanishads (also called
(https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/citizenship-
Vedantas, 108 in number, source of Indian philosophy); and Aranyakas (books of instructions).
amendment-bill-2019/)
The great Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana were also composed during this period.

Vedic Civilization Notes:- Download PDF Here

Related Links:

Prehistoric age in India Indus Valley Civilisation Kingdoms of the Deccan

(https://byjus.com/free-ias- (https://byjus.com/free-ias- (https://byjus.com/free-ias-
prep/prehistoric-india- prep/indus-valley-civilization-for- prep/kingdoms-of-the-deccan/)
important-points/) upsc-exam/)

UPSC 2020 Calendar UPSC Question papers Ancient Indian History Notes
(https://byjus.com/free-ias- (https://byjus.com/free-ias- (https://byjus.com/free-ias-
prep/upsc-calendar-2020/) prep/upsc-question-paper/) prep/ncert-ancient-history-
notes/)

UPSC 2020 UPSC Current Affairs IAS Eligibility

(https://byjus.com/free-ias- (https://byjus.com/current- (https://byjus.com/free-ias-
prep/upsc-2020/) affairs/) prep/ias-eligibility/)

1 Comment

sarvagna reddy SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 AT 8:47 AM (HTTPS://BYJUS.COM/FREE-IAS-PREP/VEDIC-CIVILIZATION-ANCIENT-

HISTORY-UPSC-EXAM/#COMMENT-24823)

best explanation.

REPLY (HTTPS://BYJUS.COM/FREE-IAS-PREP/VEDIC-CIVILIZATION-ANCIENT-HISTORY-UPSC-EXAM/?
REPLYTOCOM=24823#RESPOND)

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Please don't use any HTML or external links in the comment box.

Name *

Email *

POST COMMENT

EXAM
COURSES EXAMS C O M PA N Y Fr e e Te x t b o o k S o l u t i o n s State Boards
P R E PA R AT I O N
(/textbook-solutions/)
CBSE (/cbse/) CAT Exam Free CAT Prep (/free- About Us (/about-us/) Maharashtra (/msbshse/)
(/cat/exam-info/) cat-prep/) NCERT Solutions (/ncert-solutions/)
ICSE (/icse/) Contact Us (/contact-us/) Gujarat (/gseb/)
IAS Exam (/ias- Free IAS Prep (/free- NCERT Exemplar (/ncert-exemplar/)
CAT (/cat/) exam/) ias-prep/) Student Feedback Tamil Nadu (/tn-board/)
(/reviews/) NCERT Solutions for Class 6 (/ncert-
IAS (/ias/) UPSC Syllabus Maths (/maths/) solutions-class-6/) Karnataka (/kseeb/)
(/ias/upsc-syllabus/) Investors (/our-investors/)
JEE (/jee/) Physics (/physics/) NCERT Solutions for Class 7 (/ncert- Kerala (/kbpe/)
UPSC 2020 (/free- Careers (/careers-at-byjus/) solutions-class-7/)
NEET (/neet/) ias-prep/upsc-2020/) Chemistry Andhra Pradesh (/ap-
(/chemistry/) BYJU'S in Media (/press/) NCERT Solutions for Class 8 (/ncert- board/)
Commerce Government Exams solutions-class-8/)
(/commerce/) (/govt-exams/) Biology (/biology/) Students Stories - The Telangana (/telangana-
Learning Tree (/the-learning- NCERT Solutions for Class 9 (/ncert- board/)
Bank Exam JEE Main (/jee/jee- tree/) solutions-class-9/)
(/bank-exam/) main/) Uttar Pradesh (/upmsp/)
Life at BYJU'S (/life-at- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 (/ncert-
NCERT (/ncert/) byjus/) solutions-class-10/) Bihar (/bihar-board/)
RESOURCES
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 (/ncert- Rajasthan (/rajasthan-
Blog FOLLOW US solutions-class-11/) board/)
(https://blog.byjus.com/)
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 (/ncert- Madhya Pradesh (/mp-
solutions-class-12/) board/)
Videos (/videos/)
(https://www.facebook.com/byjuslearningapp/)
RD Sharma Solutions (/rd-sharma-
CBSE Sample Papers
solutions/)
(/cbse/cbse-sample-
papers/)
(https://twitter.com/byjus) RS Aggarwal Solutions (/rs-aggarwal-
maths-solutions/)
CBSE Question
Papers (/cbse-study-
ICSE Selina Solutions (/icse/selina-
material/cbse-
(https://in.linkedin.com/company/byjus)
solutions/)
previous-year-
question-paper/)

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer (https://byjus.com/disclaimer/)  | 

Privacy Policy (https://byjus.com/privacy-policy/)  | 

Terms of Services (https://byjus.com/terms-of-services/)  | 

Sitemap (https://byjus.com/sitemap.xml)

Chat now