Later Vedic Culture

Introduction

The Later Vedic Culture began in 1000 B.C and continued till 600 BC. The major focus of the Aryans during this period was to see their kingdom expand. They also took over the non-Aryans, who were forced to settle in their society. The most significant aspect of this era was the emergence of the caste system.

Image 1 − Late Vedic Period India 1100bc to 500bc Avantiputra7, Late Vedic Culture (1100-500 BCE), CC BY-SA 3.0

About Later Vedic Culture

The Aryans set their foot in the Sapta Sendhvatah region engulfing the land of seven rivers, namely, Sindhu, Saraswati, Vitasta, Ascini, Parushani, Shatudri, and Vipasa.

The Aryans during the later part of the Vedic age started expanding their kingdom to the eastern parts of India, up to the Gangetic plains. The exploits of the Aryans during this era were neatly documented in the book Satapatha Brahmana.

This period also witnessed the coming of larger kingdoms like, Kuru and Panchala into power. The kingdom of Kuru was ruled by Parikshit and Janamejaya; whereas Panchalas was ruled by the famous king Pravahana Jaivali.

The fall of the kingdoms of Kuru and Panchala saw the rise of other kingdoms like Kosala, Kasi and Videha. The later Vedic texts also pointed out that India was divided into three parts during this period. They were, namely, Aryavarta (Northern India), Madhyadesa (Central India), and Dakshinapatha (Southern India).

Later Vedic Culture: Politics

The Later Vedic Culture saw the establishment of many larger kingdoms, like the Kuru and the Panchala. A lot of Jana or tribes were mixed with each other resulting in the formation of Janapadas or Rashtras. The king was always chosen with a Kshatriya origin.

Before the later Vedic culture, the kings were mostly chosen by election but this era saw the introduction of hereditary kingship. Rituals were performed to make the king famous and relevant to the common people.

It was believed that performing rituals like Rajasuya or consecration ceremony and Asvamedha or horse sacrifice, would bless the king with supreme power. During this period popular assemblies did not possess their significance anymore and the Royal powers gained importance instead.

Assemblies like sabhas and samitis still was prominent but their features changed. The role of women was also changing as they were not permitted to sit in the sabhas anymore. Kings of the Later Vedic Periods still did not possess a regular and ordered army, as during times of war tribal units were put into action.

Later Vedic Culture: Economy

Agriculture was the main means to bring food to the table for common people of this time. The processes through which farming was done were advanced for its time. Wooden ploughshare was used for ploughing and several rituals were done for it. Kings did not have a kingly nature at this time, as they could also work like normal men.

The main crop that the later Vedic people produced was barley, but rice and wheat were also farmed. The later Vedic culture was rich in terms of art and crafts. They were excellent smiths, and thus copper, tin, lead, silver, bronze and gold objects were common to them, as they could weld them themselves.

Stone breakers, jewellers, astrologers and physicians were the common occupational; groups of this culture. Weaving was also considered a profession but it was meant for women only.

Later Vedic Culture: Social structure

This is the era which saw the introduction of the 4 varnas. They were the Brahmanas, Rajanyas or Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. The advent of rituals and sacrifices made the Brahmanas more and more prominent.

The three Varnas Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas were considered of higher status than the Sudras. The higher Varnas thus were the only ones with access to the ritual of Upanayana or investiture. The Sudras were always looked down upon and were deprived of a lot of jobs and thus were considerably poor.

Image 2 − The four Varnas in the Later Vedic era

Families of this era usually followed a patriarchal order and women were looked down upon. References to child marriage and Sati were found in a lot of Vedic texts. The four Ashrams also was becoming prominent during this era, they were the Brahmachari (student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (partial retirement), and Sanyasa (complete retirement from the world). The last stage though was yet to be introduced.

Later Vedic Culture: Religion

The God Prajapathi or the creator was popularly followed during this culture. Minor Gods like Rudra or the god of animals, and Vishnu or the Protector of people were also worshipped at a large scale during this time. The emergence of deities according to different social orders or castes was also a common phenomenon.

Sudras started to worship Pushan, the God of cattle. Idol worship was also becoming common at this age. Cults involving sacrifices were the centre of any religion at this time, though towards the end of this age, activities like these were strongly protested against.

Conclusion

The later Vedic culture not only saw the domination of the Aryans but also certain changes in the social structure, economy and politics of this age. Politics also saw a major change with the selection of the kings becoming according to inheritance rather than election. General assemblies were depleting and a royal order was coming in its place. Rituals and sacrifices for the benefit of the king were becoming prominent as well, under the regulation of the Brahmanas.

FAQs

Q1.What were the 4 Varnas of the later Vedic Culture and what were their significance?

Ans.The four varnas were the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. Brahmanas were at the top of society and supported the Kshatriyas, who were mainly kings or princes. The Vaisyas overlooked trade and business and the Sudras were basically at the bottom of society, considered almost untouchables.

Q2.What different names were given to the king of the later Vedic culture?

Ans.The king had different names throughout different regions. He was often called Virat in the eastern parts, whereas, the people in the Western parts called him Svarat. People of the southern regions, on the other hand, referred to him as Bhoja.

Q3.Who was given the responsibility to collect tax during the later Vedic period?

Ans.The collection of taxes came into existence during this era. It was mainly done by the Sangrihitri and was an important aspect of the fluid economy of this age.