History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civilization

Language, Religion, Technology, Economy, Society and Politics

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civlization

Around 1,500 BC, speakers of Indo- European languages gradually infiltrated the Indian subcontinent. These people referred to themselves as Arya(Aryan). As historians do not have much archaeological evidence for this era, they rely on the sacred book of hymns composed by these people. These scared books are known as Vedas: hence this lecture will refer to the Vedic Civilization.

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civilization: Language and Religion

1. The Linguistic Identity of Aryan People.

2. The Evolution of Sanskrit Language.

3. The Vedas and Upanishad.

4. Ancient Religious System.

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civilization: Technology and Economy

1. Use of Iron Tools. 2. Clearing of Forests

in Indo- Gangetic Plain.

3.Beginning of Sedentary agrarian Civilization.

4. Rise of Urban Centers.

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History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Society: Social Stratification.

1. Geographic Expansion of Aryan Civilization from Indus Valley to Gangetic Plain.

2. Primary Ethnic Units:Tribes or Jana.

3. Cattle Wealth and the formation of Ruling Lineages.

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civilization: Social Stratification

1. Evolution of Caste Stratification:-

A) Brahman-white B)Kshatriya-yellow C)Vaishya-red D) Praja-Shudras and

Dasas-black

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civilization: Formation of State

1. Ethnic Unit –Jana/ Clans/ Tribe.

2. Regional Territory of Clan-Janapada.

3. Chief of ruling kshatriya Lineage-Raja/King.

4. New Name for Ruling Lineage Rastra (State).

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic CivilizationFormation of State

1. Rise of Early Kingdoms (Mahajanapadas).

2. Horse Sacrifice and the Conquest of the Region.

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Age of Epic: Ramayana and Mahabharata

Story of Ramayana Story of Mahabharata Kalyuga and the need

for Kingship The idea of

Vanashramdharma Triumph of Monarchy Model Kingship and

Duties of the king

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civilization : Social Status of Women

1. Equal Access to Learning.

2. Right to Public Speaking.

3. Women Seers and Composers of Hymns.

4. Right to Marry in accordance with Personal Choice.

                                                     

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic Civilization : Social Status of Women

5.Right to Inherit Property.

6. Marriage as the main form of Institution.

7. Patriarchal Family Structure and the Control of Husbands over wives.

                                           

History of South Asia: Ancient India

Prof. Subho Basu

Vedic CivilizationSocial Status of Women

8. Women Barred from Religious Ritual.

9. The Emphasis on the Reproductive Function of Women.

10.Decline of Social Status with the rise of Organized State and Caste System.