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 Page 1


The Vedic Period
Page 2


The Vedic Period
Overview of the Vedic Period
1
Origins (1500 B.C.)
The Vedic era began as Harappan cities declined 
around 1500 B.C. Indo-Aryan speakers migrated to 
northwestern India from Indo-Iranian regions, 
settling in small groups through northern 
passages primarily to find pastures for their 
cattle.
2
Early Vedic (1500-1000 B.C.)
In this Rig Vedic Period, the Rig Veda was 
composed and early Aryan settlements were 
established in the Punjab and Indus regions. 
Society was mainly pastoral with emerging 
agricultural practices.
3
Later Vedic (1000-600 B.C.)
Aryans expanded eastward into the Gangetic 
plains, developing complex kingdoms and social 
structures. By the 6th century B.C., they had 
conquered North India, known as Aryavarta.
Page 3


The Vedic Period
Overview of the Vedic Period
1
Origins (1500 B.C.)
The Vedic era began as Harappan cities declined 
around 1500 B.C. Indo-Aryan speakers migrated to 
northwestern India from Indo-Iranian regions, 
settling in small groups through northern 
passages primarily to find pastures for their 
cattle.
2
Early Vedic (1500-1000 B.C.)
In this Rig Vedic Period, the Rig Veda was 
composed and early Aryan settlements were 
established in the Punjab and Indus regions. 
Society was mainly pastoral with emerging 
agricultural practices.
3
Later Vedic (1000-600 B.C.)
Aryans expanded eastward into the Gangetic 
plains, developing complex kingdoms and social 
structures. By the 6th century B.C., they had 
conquered North India, known as Aryavarta.
Origin of Aryans
Indo-Aryan Migration
Reached India around 1500 
B.C.
Migration Path
Moved across Asia and 
Europe
Geographic Theories
Arctic, Germany, Central 
Asia, Southern Russia
Linguistic Evidence
Used Sanskrit, an Indo-Aryan language
The origin of the Aryans remains debated among historians, with multiple theories suggesting different 
homelands. While Bal Gangadhar Tilak's astronomical studies pointed to an Arctic origin, most 
historians believe the Aryans likely originated in southern Russia before their extensive migrations 
through Asia and Europe.
Page 4


The Vedic Period
Overview of the Vedic Period
1
Origins (1500 B.C.)
The Vedic era began as Harappan cities declined 
around 1500 B.C. Indo-Aryan speakers migrated to 
northwestern India from Indo-Iranian regions, 
settling in small groups through northern 
passages primarily to find pastures for their 
cattle.
2
Early Vedic (1500-1000 B.C.)
In this Rig Vedic Period, the Rig Veda was 
composed and early Aryan settlements were 
established in the Punjab and Indus regions. 
Society was mainly pastoral with emerging 
agricultural practices.
3
Later Vedic (1000-600 B.C.)
Aryans expanded eastward into the Gangetic 
plains, developing complex kingdoms and social 
structures. By the 6th century B.C., they had 
conquered North India, known as Aryavarta.
Origin of Aryans
Indo-Aryan Migration
Reached India around 1500 
B.C.
Migration Path
Moved across Asia and 
Europe
Geographic Theories
Arctic, Germany, Central 
Asia, Southern Russia
Linguistic Evidence
Used Sanskrit, an Indo-Aryan language
The origin of the Aryans remains debated among historians, with multiple theories suggesting different 
homelands. While Bal Gangadhar Tilak's astronomical studies pointed to an Arctic origin, most 
historians believe the Aryans likely originated in southern Russia before their extensive migrations 
through Asia and Europe.
Vedic Period - Historical 
Reconstruction
1
Rigvedic Phase
The Rigveda represents the oldest surviving Vedic text, 
showing Indo-Iranian linguistic connections absent in 
later texts. Its composition likely completed around 1000 
B.C.E. after centuries of development.
2
Mantra Period
This phase saw the development of texts including the 
Atharvaveda, Rigveda Khilani, Samaveda Samhita, and 
Yajurveda mantras. While influenced by the Rigveda, 
these underwent linguistic evolution and 
reinterpretation.
3
Samhita Prose Period
This era marked the beginning of Vedic text organization, 
including Brahmanas, Aranyakas, early Upanishads, and 
Srauta Sutras, with notable linguistic simplification.
4
Sutra Period
Emerging around 500 B.C.E., this represents the newest 
form of Vedic Sanskrit, encompassing Srauta and Grhya 
Sutras, transitioning toward post-Vedic developments.
Page 5


The Vedic Period
Overview of the Vedic Period
1
Origins (1500 B.C.)
The Vedic era began as Harappan cities declined 
around 1500 B.C. Indo-Aryan speakers migrated to 
northwestern India from Indo-Iranian regions, 
settling in small groups through northern 
passages primarily to find pastures for their 
cattle.
2
Early Vedic (1500-1000 B.C.)
In this Rig Vedic Period, the Rig Veda was 
composed and early Aryan settlements were 
established in the Punjab and Indus regions. 
Society was mainly pastoral with emerging 
agricultural practices.
3
Later Vedic (1000-600 B.C.)
Aryans expanded eastward into the Gangetic 
plains, developing complex kingdoms and social 
structures. By the 6th century B.C., they had 
conquered North India, known as Aryavarta.
Origin of Aryans
Indo-Aryan Migration
Reached India around 1500 
B.C.
Migration Path
Moved across Asia and 
Europe
Geographic Theories
Arctic, Germany, Central 
Asia, Southern Russia
Linguistic Evidence
Used Sanskrit, an Indo-Aryan language
The origin of the Aryans remains debated among historians, with multiple theories suggesting different 
homelands. While Bal Gangadhar Tilak's astronomical studies pointed to an Arctic origin, most 
historians believe the Aryans likely originated in southern Russia before their extensive migrations 
through Asia and Europe.
Vedic Period - Historical 
Reconstruction
1
Rigvedic Phase
The Rigveda represents the oldest surviving Vedic text, 
showing Indo-Iranian linguistic connections absent in 
later texts. Its composition likely completed around 1000 
B.C.E. after centuries of development.
2
Mantra Period
This phase saw the development of texts including the 
Atharvaveda, Rigveda Khilani, Samaveda Samhita, and 
Yajurveda mantras. While influenced by the Rigveda, 
these underwent linguistic evolution and 
reinterpretation.
3
Samhita Prose Period
This era marked the beginning of Vedic text organization, 
including Brahmanas, Aranyakas, early Upanishads, and 
Srauta Sutras, with notable linguistic simplification.
4
Sutra Period
Emerging around 500 B.C.E., this represents the newest 
form of Vedic Sanskrit, encompassing Srauta and Grhya 
Sutras, transitioning toward post-Vedic developments.
Rigvedic Period (150031000 BCE)
1
Saptasindhu
Land of seven rivers in 
the Indus region
2
River Network
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, 
Beas, Sutlej, Indus, 
Saraswathi
3
Cultural Connections
Links to Andronovo 
culture, Mittani kingdoms, 
early Iranians
4
Technological Advancement
Introduction of horse-drawn chariots
During the Rig Vedic period (1500-1000 BCE), the Aryans primarily inhabited the Indus region known 
as Saptasindhu, or the land of seven rivers. This geographical context provided the foundation for early 
Vedic civilization, with the composition of Rigvedic hymns marking the cultural development of this 
period.