THE VEDIC PERIOD

Question 1
Name the two categories of Early Vedic Literature. Why was the Early
Vedic Literature known as Shruti?
The two categories of the Early Vedic Literature were Shruti and Smriti.
The Early Vedic Literature was known as Shruti because it was
revealed to the sages by God and they passed on the knowledge orally
from generation to generation.

Question 2
Name the four Vedas

1. The Rig Veda

2. The Sama Veda
3. The Yajur Veda
4. The Atharva Veda

Question 3
State what the hymns in each Veda deal with.

1. The Rig Veda — The hymns of The Rig Veda were dedicated by
the sages to Gods. They are authentic source of knowledge of life
of people of the time.
2. The Sama Veda — The hymns of Sama Veda were meant to be
sung at the time of sacrifice by the priests.
3. The Yajur Veda — The hymns of Yajur Veda were recited during
the performance of Yajnas.
4. The Atharva Veda — The hymns of Atharva Veda deal with magic
and charm as well as gyan (knowledge), karma (action), upasana
(invocation) and medicines.
Question 4
What are the Upanishads? Name any two Upanishads.
The Upanishads are philosophical commentaries on the Vedas that
include the doctrines such as Karma, Moksha and Maya.
The two Upanishads are:

1. Chandogya Upanishad
2. Kena Upanishad

Question 5
What are the Dharmashastras?
The law-books called the Dharmasutras and the Smritis together with
their commentaries, are called Dharmashastras.

Question 6
Name the epics written during the later Vedic period.
The epics written during the later Vedic period were Ramayana and
Mahabharata.

Question 7
What is known as Bhagwad Gita?
When the war of Mahabharata begin, Arjuna was reluctant to fight.
Krishna ultimately gave him a discourse and prevailed upon him to do
his duty. This discourse at the battlefield is compiled in the form of
Bhagwad Gita. It forms a part of Mahabharata.

Question 8
Mention the importance of the Epics as a source of information about
the Aryans.
The Epics serve as the main source of information on the political
institutions and the social and cultural organisation of the Aryans. They
provide information about various Aryan kingdoms, their armies and the
weapons they used. The Kshatriyas were entrusted with the defence of
their kingdoms. They reveal the high ideals of family life of the Aryans.
The great heroes depicted in the Epics are the embodiment of high
moral principles and made a great impact on successive generations.

Question 9
Which battle is known as the Mahabharata? For how long was this
battle fought?
The battle which was fought between Pandavas and Kauravas is known
as Mahabharata.
The battle of Mahabharata was fought for 18 days.

Question 10
State the role of iron in the development of agriculture during the Vedic
Age.
The discovery of iron gave the Aryans new implements like axes to
clear forest and cultivate land. The use of iron plough-heads, sickles
and hoes, made it easy to cultivate a vast tract of land. Thus,
agriculture became their important occupation. The surplus production
of rice, wheat, barley, vegetables and fruits improved their standard of
living.

Question 11
Give two features of Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Pottery.
The two important features of Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Pottery are-

1. Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Pottery were very fine, smooth and
even-coloured pottery.
 2. They were made up of high quality clay with geometrical patterns
painted in black. Floral patterns and Sun symbols were also
found.

Question 12
Name the four Varnas that existed during the vedic age.
The four Varnas that existed during the vedic age were-

1. Brahmin
2. Kshatriya
3. Vaishya
4. Shudra

Question 13
How did trade become a pivot around which the life of the people
revolved?
During the Later Vedic phase, discovery of Iron led to development of
agriculture. Agricultural surplus led to trade, giving rise to markets
which further developed towns and cities. Thus trade become a pivot
around which the life of the people revolved.

Question 14
State the difference in the position of women between the Early Vedic
and Later Vedic Age.
During Early vedic period women were respected, the daughters were
given freedom to choose their husbands and widow remarriage was
prevalent but in Later Vedic period there was significant decline in the
status of women. Their participation in Yajnas was not considered
necessary. Their right to property and freedom to choose husband was
curtailed.

Question 15
Name the four ashramas into which the human life span was divided,
indicating the time span for each.
The four ashramas into which the human life span was divided were:

1. The Brahmacharya ashrama — It lasted upto the age of 25 years.

2. The Grihastha ashrama — It lasted from the age of 25 to 50
years.
3. The Vanaprastha ashrama — It lasted from the age of 50 to 75
years.
4. The sanyasa ashrama — It lasted from the age of 75 to 100
years.

Question 16
State briefly the change that occurred in the position of the Brahmins in
the Later Vedic Age.

In the Later Vedic Age, the position of the Brahmins became stronger
as the caste system became more rigid. They were said to have divine
powers. No rituals or religious celebration commenced without the
presence of Brahmins. They enjoyed many privileges.

Question 17
State two important changes that took place in the society in the
process of its transition from the Early Vedic Period to the Later Vedic
Period.
The two important changes that took place in the society in the process
of its transition from the Early Vedic Period to the Later Vedic Period
were-

1. Women enjoyed equal rights in Early Vedic Period but their status
in the society gradually declined during the Later Vedic Period.
2. Caste system which was based on occupation earlier became
hereditary and rigid with course of time
 Structured Questions

Question 1
With reference to the sources of information about the Vedic Age, write
short notes on the following:
(a) The Vedas
(a) The Vedas — The Vedas are storehouse of knowledge about Vedic
Age. They give us information about the life of the people of Vedic Age.
We get information about the social, economical, political, and religious
aspects of their life. There are four Vedas — The Rig Veda, The Sama
Veda, The Yajur Veda, The Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda gives an
account of Early Vedic Period while the rest of Vedas give an account
of Later Vedic Period.
(b) The Epics
(b) The Epics — The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are the
important epics. They serve as main source of information on the
political institution and the social and cultural organisation of the Vedic
Age. The Epics provide information on Aryan kingdoms, their armies
and and the weapons and reveal the high ideals of family life of Aryans.
They are considered as the finest literary works of the ancient period
and are acclaimed for their literary and philosophical value. The great
heroes depicted in the Epics are the embodiment of high moral
principles and made a great impact on successive generations.
(c) Role of Iron Implements
Role of Iron Implements — In India, the Iron Age began in 1000 B.C.
Iron was cheap, available in plenty, it was harder than copper and
bronze and its deposits were found over large areas. It was used in the
following areas:
1. Agriculture
2. Occupation
3. Defence

Question 2
With reference to the Society during the Vedic Age, answer the
following questions:
(a) Explain briefly the class divisions that existed in the society.
(a) During the Early Vedic Period, the society was divided into different
classes based on their profession. These professions became
hereditary over the course of time. These occupational classes
gradually took the form of caste. In the Later Vedic Period, the four
classes or Varnas in which society was divided were Brahmin,
Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
(b) State the position of women in the Vedic period.
(b) During the Early Vedic Period the women were respected. They had
right to choose their husband and to participate in rituals. Widow
remarriage was prevalent. There are no examples of child marriage.
The marriageable age in the Rig Veda seems to have been 16 to 17.
• During Later Vedic Period, there was a significant decline in the
status of women. Their participation in Yajna was not considered
necessary. Their freedom to choose husband and right to
property was curtailed.
(c) Explain the four stages in the life of an Aryan.
(c) The four stages in the life of an Aryan, also known as the four
Ashramas were:

1. The Brahmacharya Ashrama — It lasted up to the age of 25 years

during which the pupil was expected to acquire knowledge in
gurukul and observe strict discipline.
2. The Grihastha Ashrama — It lasted from the age of 25 to 50 years
during which man was supposed to marry and raise and maintain
his family.
 3. The Vanaprastha Ashrama — It lasted from the age of 50 to 75
years. During this period the man was expected to retire from
worldly life and acquire spiritual knowledge.
4. The Sanyasa Ashrama — It lasted from the age of 75 to 100
years which was the period of renunciation. Man had to leave
everything forever and go into meditation in order to attain
moksha or salvation.

Question 3
With reference to economic organisation of the people in the Vedic
Period, answer the following questions:
(a) State the methods used by the Aryans in agriculture.
For the Early Vedic Period, there are very few references of
agricultural activities in the Rig Veda. There are references to fire being
used for burning the forest cover and the practice of shifting cultivation.
In the Later Vedic Period, importance of agriculture grew due to the
availability of vast tracts of fertile alluvial lands of the Ganga-Yamuna
doab and the middle Ganga valley.
(b) Why was the domestication of animals important to the?

• The domestication of animals was important to the Aryans because

during the Early Vedic Period cattle was main source of income. For
Aryans cattle was synonymous with wealth. Cow had religious value,
animals like sheep were domesticated for wool. Leather workers
have also been mentioned in Vedic Text.
(c) How was trade managed during this period?
During the Later Vedic Period agricultural surplus led to trade
giving rise to markets from which developed towns and cities.
Although coins were introduced, barter system was still dominant
in trade with other countries.

Question 4
With reference to the picture given, answer the following question:

(a) Identify this ancient education system. Persons belonging to

which ashrama of life attended this.
• The given picture shows Gurukul system of education in which the
students used to live with their teacher called guru.
• Persons belonging to Brahmacharya ashrama of life attended the
Gurukul.

b) Describe briefly the life in this ancient education institution.

• The residence of Guru called gurukul, was the most sacred
institution. The Gurukuls were located on the outskirts of the city and
even in forests. The students lived there. The guru treated his
students like his own children. The student was required to do
household chores for his teacher. They woke up early in the
morning, took bath and chanted Vedic mantras. Most of the teaching
was done orally.
• The subjects of study included the Vedas, Puranas, Grammar,
Mathematics, Ethics, Logic and Military Science.

(c) What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of

studying in this educational setup?
• Advantages of gurukul system of education — It brought a sense of
equality among the students as children of king and children of
 common man all studied in the same setup with the same rules. It
helped in the physical, mental and spiritual development of the
students.
• Disadvantages of gurukul system of education — Education was oral.
Students were required to be away from their homes and live a hard
life without any personal choice. There was no fixed curriculum and
methods of assessment for the students.