All about vedic period for every government exams

 Vedic Period
Rig Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC)

• TheAryans were semi-nomadic pastoral people and originally behaved to have lived somewhere in the Stepps, stretching from Southern Russia to Central Asia.
•  The whole region in which the Aryan were first settled in India was called the land of 7 rivers or Sapta Sundaes.

Political organisation

•  The Dasrajan War Battle of 10 Kings against Sudas ( Bharat King of Tritsus) on the bank of river Parushni. Sudas emerged Victorious. It was mainly tribal system of government in which the  military elements was strong.
•  Tribe was known as Rana and its King as Rajan.
•  Traces of election of the king by the Assembly, called Samiti.
•  Villages were headed by Gramini.
•  In day to day administration, the king was arrested by the Purohit (most important), a Senani and Vrata, Gana, Grams and Sardha (tribal groups performing various military functions).

 Society
People were loyal to the tribe, call Jana (mentioned 275 time in the RigVeda) as Kingdom/territory was not yet established. Women enjoyed freedom and respect.
 Religion

•  Worshipped Nature, Indra (also called Purandara-breaker of forts) what's the most important divinity.
•  Some was considered to be the God of plants.
•  People worshipped the divinities mainly for Prakash (children) l, Pashu (casttle), food, health and wealth. No temple or idol worship was noted.

 Economy

•  No regular revenue system, Kingdom maintained by voluntary tribute called Bali and booty won  in battles.
•  Aryans' main occupations was mainly pastoral. Agriculture was a secondary occupation.
•  Call was a standard unit of exchange. Gold coin- Nishka, krishnal and Satmana.
• TheStaple crop was Yava (barley).

 Later Vedic period (1000-500 BC) 

• In this period, Aryan expended from Punjab over the whole of Western Uttar Pradesh covered by the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.

 Political organisation

•  King (Samrat) became more powerful and tribal authority tended to became territorial.
•   King's position strengthened by rituals like Ashwamedha and Vajapeya Yajnas.

 Society

•  Society clearly divided into four varnas- Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shifts. Position of women deteriorated. The Institution of Gotra ( descent from common ancestors) appeared for the first time.

 Economy

•  Beginning of town and settled life.
•  Agriculture was the main livelihood
•  Wheat and rice (called vrihi in later Vedic texts) became the staple crop.
•  Occupation like those of ironsmith, coppersmith, jewel worker and weaving, were reserved for women.

 Religion

•  Prajapati became the supreme God, followed by Rudra (animal God) and Lord Vishnu (preserver and protector of people).
•  Idolatry begin in this period.
•  Pushana, who looked after the cattles was 'God of Shudras'.
•  Sacrifices, rather than player comma became more important.

 Vedic Literature
 The Vedas

•  Rigveda The oldest Indo-European language text in a collection of hymns. Contains 1028 hymns and 10 mandalas. The 10th Mandala contains four varnas or the Puruss hymn, whereas 3rd Mandala contains Gayatri mantra, dedicated to Sun god.
•  Samaveda collection of melodies, contains Dhrupad raha.
• Yajuveda Contains hymns and rituals/ sacrifices.
•  Artharvaveda Charms and spells to ward-off evils and disease.

 The Brahmanas

•  Container ritualistic formulae and explains the social and religious meaning of rituals. Each way da has several Brahmanas attached to it.
•  Rigveda Kaushitaki and Aitareya
•  Yajuveda Taittiriya and Satapatha
•  Altharvaveda Gopatha 

 The Aranyakas
 The word Aryans mean the forest. This takes Riya called Aranyakas, because they were writing Milli by the hermits and students living in the jungle.
 The Upanishads
 Philosophical texts emphasising value of right believe and knowledge; criticising rituals/sacrifices; and 108 in number. Brihadaranyaka is the oldest Upanishad.
 Smritis
 Explains rules and regulations in vedic life. These are Manusmriti (the first law book); Naradasmriti, Yajnavalkya- smritis and Parasharasmriti.
Venagas
 These are Limbs of Vedas and are 6 in number.

 Shiksha ( Pronunciation)       

• Kalpa ( Rituals) 
•   Nikrukrta ( Explanation)        
• Chhanda ( Metrics) 
•  Jyotish ( Astrology) 

Epics
Mahabharata by Vyasa, also called Jaya Samita and Satasahasri Samita has 100000 verses and ur older than Ramayana, written by Valmiki and has 29000 verses.