Vedic Period
Quick Summary
The Vedic period in Indian history, spanning from the 2nd millennium to the 7th century BCE, is named after the Vedas, sacred texts composed in archaic Sanskrit. This era represents the earliest stratum of religious activity in India for which written materials exist and is a foundational period for Hinduism.123
The primary literary record from this time is the Rigveda, a collection of hymns addressed to various deities, many of whom personified natural phenomena. These hymns were recited during rituals, often centered around the soma ritual and sacrifice. The Vedic religion was polytheistic, with priests from the Brahman class officiating sacrifices to deities like Agni, Indra, and Varuna.132
The Vedic period also saw the development of a social structure based on four classes, or varnas: Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. As the period progressed, Vedic thought became more philosophical, leading to the development of concepts like brahman and atman, which became central to Hindu metaphysics.42
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