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Rig Vedic Vs Later Vedic Period - Confirmed Comparison

The document compares the Rig Vedic and Later Vedic periods across various aspects such as source texts, geography, political structure, economy, society, and religion. It highlights the transition from a pastoral to an agrarian economy, the rigidification of the varna system, and the decline in women's status in the Later Vedic period. Additionally, it notes the emergence of philosophical thought and the formalization of education during this later period.

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40 views3 pages

Rig Vedic Vs Later Vedic Period - Confirmed Comparison

The document compares the Rig Vedic and Later Vedic periods across various aspects such as source texts, geography, political structure, economy, society, and religion. It highlights the transition from a pastoral to an agrarian economy, the rigidification of the varna system, and the decline in women's status in the Later Vedic period. Additionally, it notes the emergence of philosophical thought and the formalization of education during this later period.

Uploaded by

princeanand580
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Rig Vedic vs Later Vedic Period – Confirmed

Comparison
1. Source Texts
Rig Vedic Period:
Only Rig Veda was composed.
Hymns in early Vedic Sanskrit, praising natural deities.
Later Vedic Period:
Other Vedas: Yajur, Sama, Atharva Veda.
Also includes Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads.
Content includes rituals, chants, and emerging philosophical thought.

2. Geography
Rig Vedic:
Region: Sapta Sindhu (land of seven rivers – Punjab, NW India).
Later Vedic:
Expansion eastwards to Ganga-Yamuna Doab, Eastern UP, Bihar.
Rise of new kingdoms: Kuru, Panchala, Videha.

3. Political Structure
Rig Vedic:
Chief (Rajan) was tribal leader.
Assisted by Sabha (elders) and Samiti (general assembly).
Later Vedic:
Hereditary monarchy.
Rajan became more powerful and performed large sacrifices (e.g., Ashvamedha).

4. Sabha and Samiti


Rig Vedic:
Active political institutions.
Participation of people in decision-making.
Later Vedic:
Sabha became elitist.
Samiti declined, real power with king.

5. Administrative Officials
Present in both periods:
Purohita (priest), Senani (army chief), Gramani (village head).
Later Vedic:
Roles became more defined.
Gramani collected taxes, Purohita gained dominance due to ritual importance.

6. Economy
Rig Vedic:
Pastoral economy.
Cattle = wealth.
Limited agriculture, barter system used.
Later Vedic:
Shift to agrarian economy.
Use of iron tools for ploughing.
Barter still used; no confirmed coinage.

7. Society & Varna System


Rig Vedic:
Varna system fluid, based on karma and qualities.
Women respected, could attend assemblies.
Later Vedic:
Birth-based varna system became rigid.
Discrimination increased, Shudras excluded from rituals.

8. Position of Women
Rig Vedic:
Women had equal status in elite groups.
Could compose hymns (e.g., Lopamudra, Ghosha), attend rituals.
Later Vedic:
Decline in women’s status.
Denied education, rituals, and political participation.

9. Religion
Rig Vedic:
Worship of natural forces: Indra, Agni, Varuna.
Belief in Rita (cosmic order).
Simple yajnas (rituals).
Later Vedic:
Elaborate rituals, sacrifices (Rajasuya, Ashvamedha).
Rise of Brahmanical dominance.
Upanishads introduce Atman, Brahman, Karma, Moksha.

10. Temples & Idols


Both Periods:
No temples or idol worship.
Worship through sacrificial fire (yajna) in open spaces.
11. Education
Rig Vedic:
Oral tradition.
Women could receive education.
Later Vedic:
Gurukul system formalized.
Only upper varnas educated; women excluded.

12. Language & Literature


Rig Vedic:
Hymns in poetic Sanskrit.
Later Vedic:
Prose in Brahmanas.
Musical chants in Sama Veda.
Philosophical content in Upanishads.

13. Philosophy
Rig Vedic:
No abstract philosophy, mostly practical rituals.
Later Vedic:
Birth of spiritual thought – Karma, Atman, Brahman, Moksha.

14. Art & Material Culture


Rig Vedic:
Simple lifestyle, limited tools.
Later Vedic:
Use of iron implements, development in agriculture.
Still limited archaeological evidence of fine arts.

15. Coinage
Rig Vedic:
No coins, use of Nishka and Satamana (ornamental or weight units).
Later Vedic:
Still no confirmed coins.
Punch-marked coins appear after 600 BCE (Mahajanapadas).

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