The Vedic Period is one of major milestones in the history of India. It is estimated that the Vedic Period in India lasted from 1500 - 600 B.C. This period brought about a multitude of changes in the lifestyle of people. The Vedic age is broadly classified into two categories: Early Vedic Age and Later Vedic age. There was development in agricultural practices, worshipping patterns, philosophical outlooks, etc. A number of dynasties and new religions came into being during this period that left a huge impact on people. Read on the history of the Vedic Age.
 The migration of the Aryans to the Indian sub continent is what triggered off the Vedic Age. As the name suggests, this period got its name from the four major Vedas or the sacred scriptures that were created during that time. The four sacred Vedas are Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. These scriptures provide essential knowledge of the lifestyle during the Vedic Age. The Vedas are the foundation of the Hindu religion. Apart from the Vedas, we have two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata written during this age. These two epics tell a lot about the culture, society, religious beliefs, etc. of people during that time.
Vedic Religion
Religion and religious practices during the Vedic Age were quite stringent. People had unquestioned faith in God and His powers. No one dared to question or argue with the religious practices followed by the priests. Sacrifice was at its peak during Vedic Age. The head of the family sacrificed an animal to the Gods on a daily basis. The Brahmins who were responsible for conducting all rituals and ceremonies sacrificed numerous animals in order to appease the Gods. They believed that the Gods would descend from the Heavens and grant them good health, happiness and prosperity. With time, the Brahmins became an inseparable part of religion since the rituals took such a complex form that only the Brahmins could perform it correctly.
Religion in Early Vedic Period
Religion in early Vedic period revolved around crude forms of worshipping which basically includes nature worship. This means that people in the early Vedic period worshipped different forms of nature as god like sun, earth, moon, wind, rain, and other natural phenomena. Since there were no scientific explanations for natural phenomena like rain, thunder, wind, etc. people feared them and thus worshipped them. Chanting of prayers and hymns were a common practice to invoke the Gods and it was normal to sacrifice animals in the name of religion.
Religion in Later Vedic Period
The later Vedic age saw the increase in powers of the priests and they formed the highest class in the society. Religious practices were refined and worship of Gods in the form of idols gained importance. Animal sacrifice also increased during this period. With rituals and hymns taking center stage, the evolution of Hindu religion took place. Nature worship gave rise to new beliefs and new Gods. The duty of imparting the religious know how to people was the duty of the priests.
Vedic Culture
Early Vedic Age - Culture and Society
In the Early Vedic Age, people were basically semi-nomadic and moved from one area to the other in search of fertile agrarian grounds. They bred farm animals and lived on the products obtained from the animals like milk, meat, hide, etc. With the size of their communities growing day by day, they finally settled at one place as farmers. They farmed on large tracts of land in the north of India that was very fertile and irrigated naturally. The people worshipped the forces of nature like Sun, Moon, Thunder, Rain, etc. The caste system was not quite rigid though they differentiated between the white skinned Aryans and the dark skinned slaves.
Later Vedic Age - Culture and Society
The society in the Later Vedic Age became more complex and hierarchical in nature. The size of the settlements grew and people began to live in self - sufficient areas that were protected by forts and warriors. People began to explore the sub-continent more and started to move towards the south. This period marked the beginning of hereditary kingship. In this, the son of the chief gained his position and became his successor. Thus, power was handed down from father to son and so on. It was during this time that Hinduism was evolved and a plethora of Gods and Goddess came into the picture. This was also the time when society was divided into four major classes of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya and Shudra.
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