VEDIC CIVILIZATION ANCIENT INDIA (1500 BC-500 BC)
CONTENT
1.TIME LINE OF VEDIC PERIOD 2.EARLY VEDIC PERIOD (ARYAN INVASION) 3.MIGRATION OF ARYANS 4.VEDIC CIVILIZATION 5.VEDAS 6.EPICS 7.INDIAN VEDIC AGE 8.VEDIC ARCHITECTURE A.HOUSES B.PLANNING OF VILLAGES C.VASTU SHASTRA 9.EARLY AND LATE VEDIC CIVILAZATION 10.BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Vedic period, or Vedic age (c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE), is the period in the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age of the history of India when the Vedas were composed in the northern Indian subcontinent, between the end of the urban Indus Valley Civilisation and a second urbanization which began in the central Indo-Gangetic Plain c. 600 BCE. After decay of the Indus Civilization when the art of building again comes into view this no longer consists of well laid out cities of finished masonry, but takes a much more rudimentary form of village huts being constructed of reeds and leaves and hidden in the depths of forest. The culture of the people begins again.
Aryan Invasion •Around 1500 BCE, a group of nomadic warrior-herders crossed the narrow Khyber Pass in the Hindu Kush Mountains and invaded the Indus Valley culture. • These people, the Aryans, came from Eastern Europe between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, probably looking for pastures for their animals. • Flooding and earthquakes had weakened the Indus Valley culture and they were unable to withstand the newcomers. • Aryans first settled in Punjab ¨ Founded their first settlements on the banks of the rivers Indus [Sindu] & Saraswathi [which has since dried up]
Indus River Valley: A Conquered People Aryans; warrior nomads, migrated into the Indus valley around 2,000 B.C. • Introduced a caste system that ranked people in society • Aryans were able to conquer the Indus Valley due to natural disasters in form the of famines, devastating floods and over usage of topsoil • These events allowed the Aryans to sweep across the valley region
WHAT WERE ARYANS LIKE?
• They were nomads • They did not have farms • They did not know how to write • They did not know how to build brick houses or cities • They were great thinkers/inventors • They knew how to make iron • That means they mined for coal and iron
VEDIC CIVILIZATION Early Vedic Age: Ancient History • The Vedic civilization is named after the Vedas, which is the earliest specimen of the Indo-European language and the chief source of information on the history of this period . The Vedic Civilization flourished along the river Saraswati, in a region that now consists of the modern Indian states of Haryana and Punjab. Later, they moved into Indo-Gangetic plains. • By 6th century B.C., they occupied the whole of North India, which was referred to as Aryavarta. This period between 1500 B.C and 600 B.C is divided into the Early Vedic Period or Rig Vedic Period (1500 B.C -1000 B.C) and the Later Vedic Period (1000B.C – 600 B.C).
The Vedic texts are divided into two broad groups namely: a) Early Vedic Texts (1500-1000 BC) – Rig Veda b) Later Vedic Texts (1000-500 BC)- Other three Vedas and their Branches (Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads etc.) • Vedic literature was written in Sanskrit.
A collection, in multiple volumes, of hymns, rituals, and philosophies The vedas include stories that attempt to explain how the world was created, who the gods are, etc. Thought to be the earliest written texts Oldest one is the Rig Veda. Other Vedas were eventually composed later.
IMPORTANCE OF EPICS
: 1. It gives information about social, cultural and political life of the people of the Epic Age. 2. It gives information about various kingdoms, their armies and weapons used by them. 3. Epics are considered as finest literary works with high literary and philosophical values. 4. The great heroes of these Epics followed high moral principles and it made a great impact on successive generations. 5. Epics reveal the importance of family. 6. ‘Bhagwad Gita’ explains Karma and immortality of soul.
Ramayana
• - Rama’s bride Sita is kidnapped by demon-king Ravana and story it all about Rama getting his bride back • Stories evolved over time and different morals come from them like role models and loyalty
Mahabharata
• - India’s greatest epic, 100,000 verses. Aryan tribes fighting for Ganges. 5 royal brothers, Pandavas, lose area to cousins but take back after huge battle. Discusses Indian religious beliefs, immortality of the soul, and importance of duty
India’s Vedic Age • Aryan rulers became raja • Extensive wooden palaces • Advisers for war and peace • Scribes wrote down sacred literature (rather than recording conquests) • Brahman Religion grows • Commonly called Hinduism • Reinforced class system
SOCIAL LIFE • Joint family system was prevalent in the Vedic period. • The grihapati was the head of the family, a man responsible for the family. • His family included his old parents, wife and children and also the families of the children, the younger brothers and their families. • This family system was patriarchal. • The restrictions on women went on increasing and their position in the family and society became secondary.
FOOD •The diet of the people mainly consisted of cereals like wheat, barley and Rice. •From this, they made different preparations. Words like yava, godhoom, vrihi, etc. can be found in the Vedic literature. •Yava means 'barley', godhoom - wheat, vrihi - rice. •The Vedic people relished milk, yoghurt, ghee, butter, honey. Black gram (udad), lentil (masoor), sesame and meat were also a part of their diet.
ARTS OF VEDIC CIVILIZATION •Singing, playing, musical instruments, dance, board games, chariot-race and hunting were the means of recreation. •Their main musical instruments were veena, shat-tantu, cymbals and the conch. •Percussion instruments like damru and mridanga were also used. Vedic musical instruments
TRADE • People in the Vedic period used cotton and woolen garments. • They also used valkals or clothes made from barks of trees. Similarly, animal skins were also used as clothing. Men and women used ornaments of gold, flower garlands, strings made of beads, etc. • A kind of pendant called nishka seems to have been popular. It was also used as a currency.
ECONOMIC LIFE
OCCUPATION
• Agriculture was the main occupation during the Vedic period.
• Use of iron increased during this period.
• Many oxen were yoked together to plough the fields. The plough had iron ploughshares.
• Many iron tools and weapons came to be used leading to an increase in agricul tural and other production.
• Farmers usually raised one or two crops. They include barley,wheat,cotton and mustard.
• Artisans like chariot makers,carpenters ,potters were the backbone of the econo mic and social life of India.
• As agricultural production increased, trade too developed. • Animals like horses, cows and dogs had special importance.
• It was at about this time that skilled arti sian belonging to each occupation came together to form their shrenis or guilds.
VEDIC ARCHITECTURE
• The architecture of the Vedic Period was neither monumental nor permanent nor concentrated in urban development. • The new Indo-Aryan population was largely distributed in small settlements located in the plains and forests. • The architecture of the Vedic period encompasses huts of round and square shape and also some tower-like structures • People lived in small villages with wooden palisade fences around them to keep their sheep in, and wild animals out. • Their houses were " one-room cottages built out of plastered sticks and mud with thatched roofs in a barrel vault. •Richer people had more than one house and they arranged their houses in a circle or square to make a courtyard in the center. Sometimes rich people made their houses out of mud-brick, and roofed them with wood shingles or clay tiles. •Gradually these villages grew into new cities. The government divided these new cities into four parts – one quarter had the government buildings, one had the houses and two were for businesses.
STAGES OF VEDIC HOUSES
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
STAGE 3
For protection against wild animals, a palisade fence of wood and bamboo surrounded the whole settlement. This fence was made of upright posts of bamboo with horizontal members threaded into holes in posts. At one point, the fence was extended forward to form a sort of gate. These forms - the barrel vaulted roof, the tiecord, and the palisade fence and railing, formed important motifs for future Indian Architecture.
VEDIC VILLAGE • Primary building material: Earth and Timber, the surrounding forests provided ample building material in he form of Bamboo and Mud. • The aryan hut in its most basic shape was Circular in plan with a thatched roof over A network of bamboo ribs. • Cluster of these huts formed a courtyard. • To protect themselves and their property From the ravage of wild animals, they have surrounded their collection of huts with a special kind of fence or palisade. • Huts were arranged in three and four around the square courtyard.
VEDIC VILLAGE The planning of the village was organic in the way that it was planned according to the a User groups/varnas function in the Society. Society was divided into the four varnas. • The brahmans who were the center of all knowledge. • The kshatriyas – who were the controllers of political power. • The vaishyas- who were tradesmen and farmers. • The shudras – who were the artisans and the craftsmen. Towards the middle of first millennium C, the social system expanded such town arose at certain imp centers and were reproduced at larger scale and more substantial form. o Strongly fortified o Surrounded by ramparts and wooden palisades o Buildings almost always of wood
PALISADE • Palisade encircling the village entrance were of a particular kind. • In course of time these peculiar railing became emblem of protection, used not only to enclose the village, but o Paling around fields o Eventually anything sacred in nature. • In another form it still survives as Gopurams (cow-gate) and Buddhist archways like Toranas.
KASHI – ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING CITY (FROM 1200 – 1000 BCE) NAME AND ORIGIN
BANARAS KI GALIYAN
• One of the oldest cities of the world and the oldest city of India. • Have several names: Varanasi, Banares, Kashi. • A place between Varuna and Assi. • Holy place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. • Significance of the Ganga River.
• Old City - so very narrow roads. • In the old part of the city, such as near the Vishwanath Temple, it is difficult to see sunlight. • Modern impacts in other parts but complicated traffic . • All means of transportation including animals commute on the roads.
CITy Of TEmpLEs
VARIOUS STAGES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANCIENT VEDIC VILLAGES
Making the outlines of the Vastu-Purushmandala and Division in to plots (vastu- purushmandala ) Evolution.
Division in to hypothetical rings of Brahma, Daivika, Manushya & Paisacha.
Division into plots.
Division in wards by means of branches roads, erection of outer wall, gates and the moat.
Layout of the principal streets.
Erection of various edifices according to site-planning and folk planning principles.
ANCIENT TOWN CLASSIFICATION •
According to Shape and Purpose Ancient towns are divided into eight types.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Dandaka Nandyavarta Sarvatobhadra Swastika Prastara Padmaka Karmukha Chaturmukha
TEMPLE OF SHIVA – NORTH-EAST
DANDAKA • It is usually a rectangular or square. • Its streets are straight and cross each other at right angles. • No. of streets vary from one to five running parallel to each other. • Streets at extrems have single row of houses and streets at center are lined with double row of houses. • Town offices and panchyats are located in the eastern portion of the town. • This type of town is considered auspicious for Brahmins. It may contain 12,24,50,108,or 300 Brahmin families.
TEMPLE OF VISHNU - WEST MAIN GATES FOUR CARDINAL POINTS
NANDYAVARTA • It may be square or Oblong. • It is divided in 4 main vitthis. • The town has four large streets along the sides. This type of layout is like a mystic figure Nandyavarta. • There can be three. Five or seven sets of such streets, with a row of houses on each side. • The lanes which are traverse between the main roads should have no houses. • Vithis is a streets which is lined with houses. • Marga is a streets which is devoid of any houses. • Small roads are at interval of six or seven rajjus ( 1 Rajju = 10 dandas = 60 feet). • Usually streets are 3,4 or 5 dandas wide.
SARVATOBHADRA • It is oblong or square and divided into interlineal chambers. • In center temple dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is located. • No. of car streets varies form one to five with a boulevard going around the village. • Pavillions, Rest houses, colleges halls at several corners. • Town is secured by a wall and a ditch with four large gates on the sides and many gates at corners. • Hamlets for vaisyas and shudras should be allotted towards the south. • Drapers and weavers have their quarters in between west and the south west. • Blacksmits are to be quartered between varuna and vayu and further opposite to them are fishermen and the butchers. • Physicians are to assigned between Vayu and Soma. • By the side of eastern wall temple of chamunda is erected. • Huts of chandalas and outcastes in the further outer proximity. • Tanks and reservoirs should be constructed either in south or in the intermediate quaters.
SWASTIKA Based on mystic figure swastika. • There are two streets passing through center. • Traversing streets are planted in clock wise direction. • Ramparts defend the village and a ditch is to enclose these rampart. • There are eight gates . • Kings palace should be erected in the four cardinal direction, in the cell of aryama or others. • Temple at the center. • The bhuddhist temple should be established on the plot of vayu and Jains temple in south-west in the cell of nitri. • Temple of durga and ganesh in four directions. • The outer most road is lined with single row of houses while other streets have double row of houses.
PRASTARA • This town is either square or oblong. • Space is divided into 4, 9, or 16 wards by a network of streets. • These streets vary from 6,7, 8, 9, or 11 dandas. • In wards roads are planted in chess board system. But they are not divide in equal no of plots. • Division was according to degree of rank or wealth of the person. • The village is enclosed walls and ditches with four principal gates on south and subsidiary ones in the corners.text
PADMAKA • Its Length and Breadth are made equal while the enclosing walls are circular or it can be quadrangular, hexagonal, or octagonal. • The divide edifice or council house should be at the center. • Round about this plot should be planted streets no. four to eight and they are line with houses. • There should be gates in four cardinal directions.
KARMUKHA
• Its shape is semi circular or semi elliptical, like a bow. • This type of plan is used at sea shore. • Towns like Pattana, Kheta, or Khavarta are planned in this manner. • Pattana has preponderance of viasyas. • Kheta is generally inhabited by Traders and Laborers. • It has two car streets and one principal streets. • If bow faces west then one car streets runs from south to east and other from north to east and principal street runs from west to east and other runs from north to south. • No. of traverse streets can be from one to five • Houses range on both side of them. • It may have desirable no. of gates and circumvallation is optional.
CHATURMUKHA
• It is square or oblong in shape lying east- west. • There are four car streets on four sides. • Two large streets crossing at right angles in the center dividing the whole site into four blocks or wards. • Four principal gates are raised placed on the terminus of two highways and no. of supplementary gates at corner. • Each ward is planted with four smaller roads crossed by same no. of them. • The south eastern ward is alloted for Brahmins. • South- western for ruling class. • North- Eastern and North- western to traders. • Sudras or artisians and labour class are relegated to the extreme borders.
CHANGES THAT OCCUR WITH TIME • The Aryans created a new Indian society. • Like other nomadic people, the Aryans excelled at war. • By 1000 B.C. they had extended their control throughout India. • In India these nomadic warriors gave up the pastoral life for regular farming. The Aryans brought with them their own language, called Sanskrit and religious and cultural beliefs. • The Indus Valley people eventually became intermixed with the Aryan people and the two cultures together make up what is now much of the culture of modern India. • Hinduism, the major religion of India, was a mixture of Aryan and Indus Valley beliefs. • The caste system, which keeps people in strict social classes, was brought to India by the Aryans. Two Cultures Combine
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
EARLY VEDIC SOCIETY
LATER VEDIC SOCIETY
• Joint family system was seen.
• Joint family system wasn’t seen.
• Women enjoyed equal status.
• Status of women reduced.
• Rigid caste system wasn’t seen.
• Rigid caste system was seen.
• Gurukul system of education was followed.
• Gurukul system of education was further continued and enlarged.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS EARLY VEDIC ECONOMY
LATER VEDIC ECONOMY
• Domestication of animals was primary occupation and agriculture was secondary occupation.
• Agriculture was primary occupation and domestication of animals was secondary occupation.
• Cattle was important source of wealth.
• Land was important source of wealth.
• Many were engaged in trade and commerce.
• Traders guilds had formed and with use of coins & better transport facility led to growth in trade and commerce.
• Occupations included weaving, carpentry, pottery, crafts in gold andsilver etc.
• Besides other occupations, some new occupations included physicians,musicians etc.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS FAMILY EARLY VEDIC AGE • Family was the basic unit of society. • Joint family was seen. • Rig Vedic society was Patriarchal. • Grihyapati was the head of the family.
LATER VEDIC AGE • No joint family system was seen.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS POSITION OF WOMEN EARLY VEDIC AGE
LATER VEDIC AGE
• Women were treated equal with men.
• Status of Women reduced.
• They took part in all social and religious functions and gatherings. They could offer sacrifices with husbands.
• They took part in all social and religious functions and gatherings.
• They were given education. • They had freedom to choose their husbands. • Monogamy was usually practiced, however polygamy was also seen. • Widows were allowed to re-marry. • Child marriage, Sati, Purdah didn't exist. • Women scholars existed who composed hymns and knew all sacred scriptures.
• Few women received education of high order. • Widows weren't allowed to re-marry. • Polygamy was more common especially in higher sections of the society. • The discourses of women are preserved in Upanishads.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS FOUR FOLD VARNA (CASTE) SYSTEM EARLY VEDIC AGE
LATER VEDIC AGE
• Early Vedic society was divided into four varnas (orders):
• Later society was also divided into the four varnas similar to early Vedic age.
a) Brahmins : who explained vedic texts and performed religious ceremonies
• Culture of sacrifice increased so Brahmins enjoyed powers and privileges that of Kshatriyas.
b) Kshatriyas : warriors, nobles &ruling class c) Vaisyas : common people engaged in trade, agriculture and industry
• These privileges and powers weren't enjoyed by Vaisyas &Shudras.
d) Shudras : servants and laborers, they didn't own any property/land.
• New varnas likes chariot makers, tanners, carpenters, smiths, fishermen came into existence.
• Society had mobility : Food cooked by Shudras wasn't banned. There were no restrictions on inter-marriages or change of occupation.
• Life of Shudras was miserable during later vedic period. They were called as 'untouchables’.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS FOUR ASHRAMAS OR STAGES OF LIFE EARLY VEDIC AGE • No such concept.
LATER VEDIC AGE • Man's life was divided into four stages of 25 years each. • 1st stage (1-25 years)- Brahmacharya Ashram: devoted to education for development of body &mind • 2nd stage (25-50 years)- Grihyastha Ashram: when he gets married and leads a family life • 3rd stage (50-75 years)-Vanaprastha Ashram: spent inmeditation & prayers • 4th stage (75-10o years)-Sanyasa Ashram: renounces worldly pleasures &lives in forest as Sanyasi.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AGRICULTURE EARLY VEDIC AGE • They stayed in villages. • They prayed for good rain, good harvest, good health and large herds of cattle. • Agriculture was primary occupation. • Barlev/Yava was the only grain known. • Domestication of animals was secondary occupation. • Cattle formed important dana (gift)made to priests. • Gomat: was the term used for wealthy person who owned many cattle (cows and bulls.) • Other animals domesticated included dog, sheep, ox, goat and horse.
LATER VEDIC AGE • In addition to Barley/Yava new crop Vrihi/Rice was popular. • Other crops like wheat, millet/bajra and sugarcane were also produced by them during Later Vedic period. • Domestication of animals was also seen in Later Vedic period.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS CRAFT EARLY VEDIC AGE • They were engaged in weaving clothes. • Metal workers made weapons, implements and ornaments. • AYAS (metal) mentioned in Rig Veda was Copper or Bronze.
LATER VEDIC AGE
• Iron was used in large quantities during later Vedic period. • Crafts such as leather-working, making of jewelry and chariot-making developed during this period.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TRADE AND INDUSTRY EARLY VEDIC AGE • They traded clothes & leather goods. • Barter system was practiced. • Cow was the standard unit of value. • They used horses and bullocks to carry goods. • They also transported goods through inland rivers.
LATER VEDIC AGE • Many changes were seen in trade and commerce. • Nishka & Satmana (coins) were used as units of value. • Ships were used & inland maritime trade flourished. • Guilds were formed which controlled prices and ensures quality of goods.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1) https://www.wikipedia.org/ 2) https://www.google.co.in/ 3) https://www.slideshare.net/ 4)https://www.youtube.com/ 5) https://knowindia.gov.in/
Submitted To: Prof. Barsa Mohanty Prof. Neha Goyal Tater
Submitted By: Rohan Gupta(04) Shashwat Soni(13) Surbhi Dosi(25) Vishal Maheshwari(38) Vishal Modi(39)