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Rig Vedic Period : Most Important Points

Most important points about Rig Vedic Period

Rig Vedic Period - Timeline

The period from 1500 BC to 600 BC is considered as Vedic Period which is divided into two parts :
- Early Vedic Period or Rig Vedic Period (1500 B.C -1000 B.C)
- Later Vedic Period (1000B.C – 600 B.C).

Rig Vedic Period - Political Organization

Kula - Grama - Vis - Jana
Kulapa - Gramini - Vishayapati - Rajana
Two important bodies :
- Sabha - Council of elders and advised the king on administration
- Samiti - A general assembly, included common people

Rig Vedic Period - Society

Rig Vedic society was patriarchal
Monogamy was prevalent whereas polygamy was also practiced among the royal and noble families.
Women were provided with equal opportunities as men for their spiritual and intellectual development.
The practices of child marriage and sati were absent.
Soma and Sura(intoxicating) were the two popular liquors.
Chariot racing, horse racing, dicing, music and dance were the favourite pastimes.
The social divisions were not rigid during the Rig Vedic period as it was based on occupation

Rig Vedic Period - Religion

Rig Vedic Aryans personified the natural forces like earth, fire, wind, rain and thunder as gods and worshipped them.
Important Rig Vedic gods:
- Indra – Most important God and was also known as Purandara (the destroyer of forts) and God of rain.
- Agni (Fire) – Second in importance. He was regarded as the intermediary between the Gods and the worshipper.
- Varuna (Rain) – He was supposed to be the upholder of the natural order.
- Vayu – Wind
- Maruts – Storm
- There were also few female gods like Aditi and Ushas.
No temples and no idol worship

Rig Vedic Period - Economic Condition

Rig Vedic Aryans were primarily pastoral people
Wealth was estimated in terms of cattle as cattle was synonymous with wealth.
The economy was based upon agriculture.
Workers in metal made a variety of articles with copper (was known as ‘Ayas’), bronze and iron ( was known as Krishna Ayas).
Spinning and pottery were another important occupation.
Gold was known as ‘Hiranya’.
Trade was an important economic activity which was conducted through the barter system.
Gold coins known as ‘Nishka’ were also used as a medium of exchange.