class 6 vedic period
class 6, Social studies
1. After Bronze age, came the Iron age
2. The three system for classifying prehistoric societies are Stone age, Bronze age, Iron age
3. Religious texts written by Aryans ( group of people) are Vedas. Vedas are sacred
4. Vedas are recited orally by teachers and memorised by the students, and these are transferred from one generation to another orally. This is called as Shruti
5. Sapta Sindhu is a region where Aryans settled in a region around river Indus and its tributaries
6. Later Aryans migrated to Indo Gangetic plain, Deccan Plateau. Their arrival marked the beginning of Iron age
7. Aryans brought horse and horse drawn chariot to the Indian Subcontinent
8. Vedas are rich source of history written by Sagas/ Priests
9. Vedas tell us the important practices and rituals to be followed and the list of rules people needed to follow in a society
10. There are four Vedas. Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajurveda, Atharva Veda
11. Rig Veda is the oldest of Veda, written around 3500 years ago
12. Rig Veda contains 1028 hymns called as Suktas
13. Hymns were in praise of Agni ( God of Fire), Indra ( God of Warrior) Soma ( God of Plants)
14. Sama Veda contains hymns recited by priests during important ceremonies and sacrifices
15. Yajur Veda contain set of rules to be followed during religious ceremonies and sacrifices
16. Atharva Veda contains songs, charms, magic spell to keep evil away
17. Vedas are written in Sanskrit language
18. Vedic people used four types of pottery
a) Black and Red ware
b) Black Slipped ware
c) Painted grey ware
d) Red ware
19. The most popular type of pottery used was redware
20. Aryans introduced the painted grey ware pottery. This type of pottery used for rituals/ For eating by upper class people
21. Information about the Life and culture of people living in early Vedic period are from Rig Veda
22. Jana — Early Vedic period lived in tribes called as Jana
23. Rajans are the people who governed the Jana
24. Rajans are selected based on physical strength and bravery
25. Entire village people attend assembly called Samiti
26. Assembly attended by very few people / special ones are known as Sabha
27. Purohits are the priests
28. Priest children studied in Gurukulas under guru, they learnt skills like Vedic recitation, Archery, Horse riding, Chariot racing etc.
29. Dasas are people who spoke different languages, belong to different group and they do not perform sacrifice
30. Later Dasas were called as Slaves/ Servants. These people are the one who are captured in war
31. What is the Occupation of Aryans?
· Aryans lived a semi Nomadic life
· By 12th Century BCE, the Vedic society were changed from Semi nomadic life to settled agriculture
· Cattle rearing is the most important occupation and it determined the social status of a family
32. What are the four group of people in Later Vedic period?
According to birth, people were divided into four groups
1. Brahmins — Highest in Hierarchy. They are teachers, advisors and
Priest
2. Kshatriyas — Rulers and warriors
3. Vaishyas — Cattle herders, Potters, weavers, craftsmen
4. Shudras — These people need to serve the above three group
33. Add a few points to the later Vedic period?
· People status in the society was determined by how much land they own
· Seeds of Barley, Wheat, Rice, pulses were discovered by archaeologist
· Iron usage was in later Vedic period
· Iron smith, Potters, Craftsmen, Weaver, Carpenter, Jewellers, Chariot makers, tanners played an important role
34. What were the findings by archaeologist after the excavation of burial site?
· Burials were excavated in many sites of Deccan, South India, North East, Kashmir
· Dead people were buried with their heads facing the North direction along with their belongings
35. What is a Porthole?
· The dead people were brought through a round/ Rectangular entrance known as Porthole
· Stone Boulders ( large rocks) were placed near burials for easier identification.
36. What are Megaliths?
· Megaliths are referred to as large stones used to construct monument
· Megaliths are found in Deccan Plateau
· Megaliths are huge stone boulders that are circular in shape
· These are earmarked as burial site
· Many Megaliths are found with agricultural tools , black, red pottery, ornament
· Some of the well known Megalith sites are Brahmagiri, Inamgaon
37. What are the contributions of the Vedic period?
· Vedic period is important period in the Indian History
· During this period, India presented its rich culture heritage through Vedic literature
· Through Vedas our ancestors pay respect to several gods through hymns such as
1. Indra ( God of Rain)
2. Agni ( God of Fire)
3. Soma ( God of plants)
4. Surya ( Sun god)
· During later vedic period, people worshipped God such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
· Rituals became elaborate and complex, priest community became very important
· Mother of the most of Indian languages, Sanskrit originated during this Vedic period only
