Early Vedic Period/Rig Vedic Period (1500-1000 Bc): Origins, Society, and Geopolitics

Introduction

The Early Vedic Period, also known as the Rig Vedic Period, spanned from approximately 1500 to 1000 BCE in ancient India. It marked the emergence of early Vedic civilization, characterized by the composition of the Rigveda and the formation of Indo-Aryan society.

Prominent Features of Early Vedic Period

• The primary source of information about this age is the Rig Veda.

Geographical Expansion 

• Aryans were mainly confined to the Indus region, referred to as Saptasindhu or the land of seven rivers in the Rigveda. 
  • Seven Rivers are Jhelum (Vatista), Beas (Vipasa), Chenab (Askini), Ravi (Purushni), Sutlej (Sutudri), Saraswati (Ghaggar or Hakra), and Indus (Sindhu).
• Their region covered present-day parts of Afghanistan, Punjab, and Haryana.
• Sindhu (Indus) is the most mentioned river, and Saraswati is the most revered (holy) river.
• Saraswati Valley was called Brhmavarta, the Himalayas were called Himavant, and the Hindu Kush was called Munjavant.

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Political Structure

• Bharatas, Matsyas, Yadus and Purus were tribal kingdoms of that time. 
• Tribal Chief or Rajan was the protector of his tribe, safeguarding the cattle, leading wars, and performing religious duties on behalf of the tribe.
  • The Tribal Chief was also called Gopati or Gopa (protector of cows), and the queen was called Mahisi.
  • The king’s position appeared hereditary, but some traces of election by the tribal assembly (samiti) were present to exercise check.
• Tribal assemblies like the Sabha, Samiti, Vidatha, and Gana had deliberative, military, and religious roles. Women could attend the sabha and vidatha.

Governance: 

• Formal judicial system was absent with no specific officer for administering justice. 
• Spies were used to check theft (especially of cows) and burglary.
• Official titles didn’t directly signify territorial administration, but some roles were territorially anchored. Some official titles were:
  1. Purohita – Motivated tribal chiefs and praised their deeds in return for rewards in cows and slaves.
  2. Senani – Skilled in weaponry; Senani was the chief of army.
  3. Vrajapati – In charge of pasture grounds/officer who controlled the territory; further, they led the “Kulapas” (heads of families) or the”Gramanis” (leaders of fighting units) into battle.
     • Over time, the roles of the Gramani and the Vrajapati became synonymous.

Military Structure and Conflicts

• The king did not maintain a standing army and relied on tribal units assembled during the war. 
  • Military functions were performed by tribal groups called Vrat, Gana, Grama, and Sardha.
• Aryans were engaged in conflicts with pre-Aryans and had internal tribal disputes. 
  • The Aryans split into five tribes or “Panchajana.”
  • The Bharatas and Tritsu were dominant Aryan clans backed by priest Vasishtha. 
• The Bharatas, led by Sudas, defeated a coalition of ten rulers (a mix of Aryan and non-Aryan leaders) in the Battle of Ten Kings (Dashrajana) on the banks of the Parushni (Ravi) river. 
  • Bharatas and Puru joined to form Kurus. 
  • Both Pandava and Kauravas belonged to the Kuru clan. 
  • Later the Kurus allied with Panchalas and established their control over the Upper Ganga Valley.
• The Dasa and Dasyu conquered by Aryans were treated as slaves and sudras.
  • Dasas (mentioned in ancient Iranian texts) seem to have been a branch of early Aryans, while Dasyus were possibly original inhabitants of the country.  Aryan chief Trasadayu overpowered them.
  • The Aryan chiefs were soft towards Dasas but hostile towards Dasyus.
  • The Dasyus possibly worshiped the phallus and did not keep cattle.

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Conclusion

• The Early Vedic Period laid the groundwork for the development of Indian civilization, with its hymns, rituals, and social structures influencing subsequent eras. 
  • It provided a glimpse into the cultural and religious practices of the early Indo-Aryan peoples, shaping the course of Indian history for centuries to come.

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