Early Vedic Age
I. Fill in the blanks.
1. The four Vedas are the Rigveda, Yajurveda,
Samveda and Atharvaveda.
2. The Vedic literature comprise the four Vedas as well as Brahmanas; Aranyakas; and Upanishads.
3. The Aryans originally settled in the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent.
4. Purohita and Senani helped the rajan perform his duties.
5. The swayamvara ceremony was used to choose husbands in the Early Vedic society.
6. Widows were allowed to remarry after the death of their husbands.
7. Indra was the most important Rigvedic god.
8. Sabha and Samiti helped check the power of the kings.
9. The Early Vedic society was also known as the Rigvedic society.
10. The four-fold division of the Early Vedic society was called the varna system.
11. The Samveda contains tunes for the prayers of the Rigveda.
12. The lowest class which served the upper classes was called Shudras.
13. Two intoxicating drinks enjoyed by the Early Vedic people were soma and sura.
14. The officials who performed the religious ceremonies was called Purohita.
15. The Samiti was a large assembly which included common people and women of a tribe.
II. Answer these questions.
1. Why is the period from about 1500 BCE to 500 BCE called the Vedic Period?
= The Indo-Aryans were semi-nomads, tribal and pastoralists. They settled as wandering pastoralists. The transformation from a pastoral to agricultural society was a gradual process extending from 1500 BCE till 500 BCE. Distinct developments could be seen in society, politics, economy and religion during these thousands years. And the period remained marked as the Vedic Period.
2. Write a note on the origins of the Indo-Aryans.
= The historians have identified Central Asia as the original home of the Aryans. They gradually migrated to northern India, where they introduced the Sanskrit language.
3. Name the region where the early Aryans settled in the subcontinent.
= Indo-Aryans arrived in north-west India around 1500 BCE. Initially, they settled down in the north-western parts of India.
4. Aryans worshipped nature. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
= I do agree that the Aryans worshipped nature. The Aryans worshipped the various forces of nature in the form of gods. Indra was the god of rain. Agni was the god of fire. Varun was the god of wind. They worshipped in the open air by chanting hymns and making offerings to the gods.
5. Why is the Early Vedic period also called the Rigvedic Period?
= The Early Vedic Period is also referred to as the Rigvedic Period, because the history of India during this period is based mainly on the information collected from the Rigveda.
6. What are the main sources of information for the Vedic Age?
= The four Vedas - Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda and the Atharvaveda are the main sources of information for the Vedic Age. The other Vedic literature like - Brahmans, Aranyakas and Upanishads; the Sutras, Puranas and the two epics - Mahabharat, written by Ved Vyasa, and Ramayan, written by Valmiki in Sanskrit - also provide information regarding the Vedic Period.
7. Write a short note on the four Vedas.
= Most of the hymns of the Rigveda were composed in the Early Vedic Period while the remaining three Vedas and their branches were composed in the Later Vedic Period. The Vedic knowledge however was transmitted orally from one generation to another. The Vedas were not written down until very late.
❐ The Rigveda is collection of prayers. It contains around 1,028 hymns offered to several gods such as Agni, Indra, Varun and Surya.
❐ The Yajurveda contains hymns and rituals which accompany the recitation of prayers to gods.
❐ The Samveda contains tunes for the prayers of the Rigveda.
❐ The Atharvaveda contains songs, spells and magical charms to cast away evil spirits. It also includes hymns dealing marriage and cremation.
8. What was the varna system?
= The Aryan society was divided into four castes based on occupation or profession. The four fold division was known as the varna system.
❐ Brahman (priestly class) - They performed religious rites and imparted education.
❐ Kshatriyas (warrior class) - They protected the people from foreign invasions.
❐ Vaishyas (merchants and farmers) - They were engaged in farming, trading and other economic activities.
❐ Shudras (lowest rank) - They were required to serve the upper classes.
9. What was the position of women in the Early Vedic society?
= Women enjoyed an important position in the society in the Early Vedic period.
❐ They were educated and were treated as equal to men. There were also women scholars who composed the Vedic hymns.
❐ They were permitted to participate in all religious ceremonies. In fact, no religious ceremony could be performed without the presence of the wife.
❐ Women were allowed to choose their husbands in a ceremony called swayamvara.
❐ They also participated in philosophical discussions just like men.
10. Name a few gods worshipped during the Early Vedic Period.
= Almost all important gods were male. Only a few were female deities.
❐ The most important god worshipped by them was Indra, the god of rain and thunder.
❐ Agni, the god of fire, occupied the second place.
❐ Varun was the upholder of the cosmic order.
❐ The other important gods were Surya (the Sun god), Vayu (the wind god), Soma (the god of plants), Usha (the goddess of dawn) and Yama (the god of death).
11. What were the main occupation of the people during the Early Vedic Period?
= These were the main occupation of the Early Vedic people.
❐ Cattle rearing :- The Early Vedic period had pastoral economy. Cattle were their most-valued possession and chief form of wealth. We find frequent prayers in the Rigveda for cattle.
❐ Agriculture :- The early Aryans also practised agriculture. They cultivated land by wooden plough as mentioned in the Rigveda. They also possessed knowledge of seasons which promoted agriculture.
❐ Crafts :- The Indo-Aryans practised many crafts. The Rigveda mentions artisans such as carpenter, chariot-maker, weaver, leather worker and potter. Metal-work was also known to the people.
12. What were the functions of the sabha and samiti?
= Two assemblies called the Sabha and Samiti acted as checks on the king's power. Women could also participate in the assemblies.
❐ The sabha was a council of tribal elders which advised the king in his decisions.
❐ The samiti was a general assembly comprising the entire tribe including common people.
13. Who were Vaishyas?
= Vaishyas were the merchants and the farmers. They were engaged in farming, trading and other economic activities.
14. How did the Early Vedic people spend their leisure time? What kind of clothes did they wear?
= The Aryans were fond of chariot-racing and hunting. They also enjoyed music, dance and gambling.
The Aryan dress comprised two garments. The lower garment included an unstitched piece of cloth that people tied around their waist and the upper garment was a light cloth flung over the shoulder. Both men and women wore jewellery made of gold, silver and precious stones.
15. Who were purohit and senani?
= Purohit performed religious ceremonies and advised the rajan on all important matters.
Senani, or the commander-in-chief, led the army in times if war an assisted the rajan.
16. Do you agree that the rajan enjoyed absolute power during the Early Vedic Period? Give reasons for your answer.
= I think the rajan did not enjoy absolute power during the Early Vedic Period as two assemblies called the sabha and samiti acted as checks on the king's power.
III. Write short notes.
1. Vedas.
= The Vedas, the sacred texts of the Aryans, are our chief source of information regarding social, cultural and political events in the Vedic Age. The term Vedas originated from the word 'vid' meaning knowledge. Vedas are believed to be eternal.
Various sages, who are believed to be the authors of the Vedas, are said to have receive them directly from gods. Most of the hymns of the Rigveda were composed in the Early Vedic Period while the remaining three Vedas and their branches were composed in the Later Vedic period.
2. Kshatriyas.
= Kshatriyas were the warrior class. They protected the people from foreign invasions.
3. Varna system.
= The Aryan society was divided into four castes based on occupation or profession. The four fold division was known as the varna system.
❐ Brahman (priestly class) - They performed religious rites and imparted education.
❐ Kshatriyas (warrior class) - They protected the people from foreign invasions.
❐ Vaishyas (merchants and farmers) - They were engaged in farming, trading and other economic activities.
❐ Shudras (lowest rank) - They were required to serve the upper classes.
4. Occupation of the Early Vedic people.
= These were the main occupation of the Early Vedic people.
❐ Cattle rearing :- The Early Vedic period had pastoral economy. Cattle were their most-valued possession and chief form of wealth. We find frequent prayers in the Rigveda for cattle.
❐ Agriculture :- The early Aryans also practised agriculture. They cultivated land by wooden plough as mentioned in the Rigveda. They also possessed knowledge of seasons which promoted agriculture.
❐ Crafts :- The Indo-Aryans practised many crafts. The Rigveda mentions artisans such as carpenter, chariot-maker, weaver, leather worker and potter. Metal-work was also known to the people.
IV. Match the columns.
=
|
1. Samveda |
a. god of rain and thunder. [4] |
|
2. Senani |
b. contains tunes for the Rigvedic hymns. [1] |
|
3. Soma |
c. village headman. [5] |
|
4. Indra |
d. commander-in-chief. [2] |
|
5. gramani |
e. an intoxicating drink. [3] |
V. Choose the correct option.
1. The ceremony of ________ allowed women to choose their husbands.
a. yajna. [ ]
b. swayamvara. [✓]
c. samiti. [ ]
d. vispati. [ ]
2. The polity in the Early Vedic Period was essentially _______ in nature and it was based on kinship ties.
a. monarchical. [✓]
b. dictatorship. [ ]
b. dictatorship. [ ]
c. patriarchal. [ ]
d. tribal. [ ]
3. Many villages during the Early Vedic Period together formed a clan which was headed by a _____ .
a. senani. [ ]
b. vispati. [✓]
c. gramani. [ ]
d. purohit. [ ]
4. The Early Vedic Period had a pastoral economy and _______ was their most-valued possession.
a. cattle. [✓]
b. goat. [ ]
c. horses. [ ]
d. elephant. [ ]
5. The term 'Vedas' originated from the word _____ which means knowledge.
a. vida. [ ]
b. vid. [✓]
c. vis. [ ]
d. vaisya. [ ]