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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.