What is the Later Vedic Period?

The Later Vedic Period started from 1000 BCE to 600 BCE. This period was followed by the Rig Vedic Age, and the social system was too strict. The Aryans began expanding their land territory during this period.

What is the difference between the early Vedic period and the later Vedic period?

The major Difference between the Early Vedic Period and the Later Vedic period is that the caste system was rigid during the later Vedic age, whereas during the early Vedic period, the caste system was flexible.

What are the features of the Later Vedic Period?

During the Later Vedic Period, the Varna system was rising, and the positions of women became subordinate to men. The authority of the family was given to the father, and women were considered as the lower rank.

What are the salient features of the economy during the Later Vedic Period?

During the Later Vedic Period, Agriculture was considered the chief occupation. Apart from this metal work, carpentry and pottery work were also being done. With agricultural development, trade progressed

Which religion was developed during Later Vedic Period?

During the Later Vedic Period, Brahmanism was developed as an ideology of the Kuru-Panchala realm. Another Indo-Aryan complex that rejected the later Brahmanical worldview and gave rise to Jainism, Buddhism, and the Mauryan Empire controlled the eastern Ganges plain.

What is the type of pottery associated with the Later Vedic Period?

The Later Vedic Period was acquainted with four types of pottery, Redware, black-and-red ware(BRW), black-slipped ware, and painted grey ware(PGW). Red-ware is the most popular, and it can be found all over western UP.

What decided the caste of a person in the Later Vedic Period?

Initially, Varnas were assigned based on their qualities and aptitude. However, During the early Vedic period, the caste system wasn’t rigid, and during the Later Vedic Period the birth of the people decided Varnas.

What was the importance of the Rajasuya yagna in the Later Vedic period?

In the later Vedic Period, the Rajasuya Vedic sacrifices were ceremonial royal preservation. It was a yajna, or sacrifice, carried out by the ancient Indian monarchs who thought they were strong enough to be emperors. Similar to the Ashwamedha, Rajasuya would take place upon the king’s generals’ successful return from a military expedition.

How was society divided in the Later Vedic Period?

In the Later Vedic Period, the society was divided into four varnas, namely Brahmanas, Vaisyas, Kshatriyas, and Sudras. During this period society was based on their castes or varnas. The caste System played an important feature in Vedic society.

Why is the Later Vedic Age called the epic age?

The Later Vedic Period is called an Epic Age because during this period, two epics, Mahabharata and Ramayan, were written. This epic period was between 1000 to 600 BC, and in these epics, the ancient Indian society is described in a clear manner.

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Later Vedic Period : Economy and Religion During Later Vedic Age | UPSC Notes

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The Later Vedic Period refers to the span from 1000 BC to 600 BC when the Aryans pushed further east, occupying Western Uttar Pradesh and Eastern Uttar Pradesh along with Bihar. During the Later Vedic Period, the Aryans gained full control over the rich plains nourished by the Ganges, Sadanira, and Yamuna rivers. During the Later Vedic Period, the social system was too strict.

The Later Vedic Period holds significant importance in the ancient history of India, and hence it is crucial for the UPSC Exam perspective. Here we have covered all the crucial information related to this period, such as Later Vedic Period Religion, Culture, society, economic life, and civilization that would help the aspirants in their preparation.

Table of content

1. Later Vedic Period- An Overview
2. Later Vedic Period and Civilisation
3. Later Vedic Period and Polity
4. Economy of Later Vedic Period
5. Later Vedic Period Social Life
6. Religion of Later Vedic Period
7. Administration in the Later Vedic Period
8. Later Vedic Period UPSC

Later Vedic Period- An Overview

Later Vedic Period is the period followed by the Rig Vedic Age, where the social system was strict. The Varna system gained rapid popularity in this period.

Later Vedic Period- Download PDF

The birth of a girl was seen as a terrible omen, and women were not allowed to study or attend school.
In addition, women were not even allowed to speak in public during the Later Vedic Period. The people were divided into various castes, such as Brahmans, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, Shudras, etc.
Another interesting fact about this later Vedic age is the kings didn’t have a standing army. For wars, the tribal units were activated.

Later Vedic Period and Civilisation

As we have mentioned above, during the Later Vedic Period, the Aryans moved toward the east. The Aryans expanded to the eastern Gangetic plains, which is known as Satapatha Brahmana.

During the Later Vedic Period, one of the most important developments was the growth of large kingdoms.
Pachalas had a famous king named Pravahana Jaivali, and he was a patron of learning.
Kosala, Kasi and Videha came into prominence when Kurus and Panchalas fell.
The Later Vedic Period civilization includes the 3 divisions of India, Aryavarta, Dakshinapatha and Madhyadesa.

Later Vedic Period and Polity

During the later Vedic age, many big kingdoms arose, and tribes merged to form Rashtra.

The small kingdoms merged to form Mahajanapadas. With this, the scale of wars also increased rapidly.
With the expansion of kingdoms, the royal power grew in tandem. To encourage their status, the king undertook sacrifices and ceremonies. Some of the ceremonies were Rajasuya, Asvamedha, and Vajpeya.
During the Later Vedic Period, the king was equated with the Gods, and the term ‘Divine Kingship’ was introduced.
The Vaishyas were forced to pay taxes to the king. The Vaishyas’ children become Vaishyas, and the Shudra’s children become Vaishyas automatically.
The Varna System was divided into two classes- the ruling class and the class responsible for paying taxes and manual labour.

Economy of Later Vedic Period

During Later Vedic Period, agriculture was the major occupation. Apart from that, metalwork, pottery, and carpentry were also there.

Iron was used widely during this Later Vedic age
Knowledge of manure during this period added significant benefits in agriculture during this period.
With the growth of agricultural production, trade also progressed in the Later Vedic Period.
industrial work became widened, and with it, metalwork, woodwork, and leatherwork also advanced.
Coins like Nishka and Karshapana were used in India as a result of increased trade. However, their use was limited to small transactions. Apart from these, gold and silver coins were also used.

Later Vedic Period Social Life

During the Later Vedic Period, Brahmins, Vaisyas, Kshatriyas, and Sudras which are known as four divisions of society, were completely established.

Brahmins and Kshatriyas got many benefits, but the Vaisya and Shudra classes didn’t.
During this period, Brahmins were superior to Kshatriya. However, Kshatriyas often claimed superiority over the Brahmins,
During the Later Vedic Period, caste-based employment emerged. There were no opportunities for the women.
The women’s right to attend assemblies was revoked, and child marriages grew rapidly.
In the family, the authority was given to the father, and women were considered as the lower rank.

Religion of Later Vedic Period

During the Later Vedic Period, early gods such as Indra and Agni lost their significance. In this period, Vishnu, Rudra, and Prajapati rose to prominence.

Prihood became a profession, and sacrifices were the cornerstone of this period. The public sacrifices involved the king, and the private sacrifices were performed at home.
These sacrifices were responsible for the emergence of Jainsin and Buddism as well.
The Brahmin claimed a monopoly of priestly expertise and knowledge. They were offered gold, crows, horses, etc.
However, at the end of the Later Vedic Period, a strong reaction emerged against the domination of priests, cults, and rituals.

Administration in the Later Vedic Period

During the Later Vedic Period, the structure of Samiti and Sabha was changed, and their importance was reduced. Rich and nobles used to dominate, and there was no place for women there.

Ministry: Here, some new ministers were appointed with the early ministers. The ministry included Mahishi, Sangrahit, Purohit, Bhagdut, Suta, and Gramin.
Military System: During the Later Vedic Period, battles were frequently happening. That’s why the king was forced to systemize his military system. Due to this, a solid military structure emerged.
Divine Kingship: Kings were compared to the Gods, and there was less role of ministry. King was not obligated to obey the ministry’s advice.

Later Vedic Period UPSC

The Later Vedic Period is a part of the UPSC Syllabus, and the UPSC aspirants must know about the communities, polity, economy, and administration during this period. In the previous year, several questions have been asked about this topic, and following the Later Vedic Period UPSC notes would help the candidates during their preparation. Along with the notes, it is advised to follow the right UPSC Books and study material.

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