Ancient "Vedic" India

The Vedic Period

Vedic India refers to the period of Indian history that extends from the coming of the Aryans to India around 1500 BCE to the end of the Vedic period (around 500 BCE). The term "Vedic" is derived from the Vedas, which are a collection of ancient texts that are considered the oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism.

During the Vedic period, the Aryans established small tribal societies in the north-west of India, following a pastoral way of life. The Vedas served as a source of knowledge on various aspects of life in ancient India including religion, philosophy, science and technology.

Society during this period was based on a caste system, with different occupations being assigned to different social groups. The Brahmins, who were the highest caste, were responsible for the religious and intellectual pursuits while the Kshatriyas were warriors, and the Vaishyas and Shudras engaged in agricultural and other forms of manual labor.

The Vedic period was marked by the emergence of various religious and philosophical schools of thought including the Upanishads, which laid the foundation for the development of Hinduism. Art, literature and music also flourished during this period, as evidenced by the epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

 Overall, the Vedic period played an important role in shaping India's cultural and religious identity, and continues to have a profound impact on the country's politics, society, and culture.