Comparison Between the Rigvedic and Later Vedic Periods
The Vedic period is one of the most important periods in the history of ancient India. As such, various important questions (such as general knowledge) were asked in the previous year’s UPSC prelims and other important government job examinations.
The entire Vedic age is divided into two periods – the Rigvedic Period lasted from 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE and the Later Vedic Period lasted from 1000 BCE to 600 BCE1.
Here in this article, we will first see the key differences and then learn the similarities between these two periods. So first things first, let us understand the key differences between the Rigvedic and Later Vedic periods –
Major differences – Rigvedic and Later Vedic periods
| Aspect | Rigvedic period | Later Vedic period |
|---|---|---|
| Political system | » Tribal based society. » The tribal chief ruled the society. » The word ‘state’ was not used in this period. | » King’s power rose. » The number of provinces increased. » Formation of Mahajanapadas began. » The word ‘state’ was first used in this period. |
| Political Organizations | » Organizations such as Sabha, Samiti, Gana, Vidhata, etc., existed » These organizations advised the king. | » Vidhata disappeared. » Power of the Sabha and Samiti decreased. |
| Status of women | » Women could participate in religious ceremonies in society. » Women could also join in Sabha, Samiti, etc. » Could receive education. » Could take part in composing the Vedas. | » The power of women was reduced in society. » Women’s participation in the Sabha, Samiti was prohibited. » Women’s participation in religious ceremonies was restricted. |
| Gods | » The Gods, such as Indra (250 verses), Agni (200 verses), Varuna were promenent. » Sacrifice practice was not promenent. | » Importance of Gods such as Indra, Agni, etc. was reduced. » Gods such as Prajapati Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, etc were became important. » The importance of sacrifice increased. |
| Varnashrama | » The caste system was not hereditary. » There were no restrictions on the caste system. » The society was divided into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras according to their occupation. » The words in the Rigvedic text saying “I am a poet, my father is a physician, my mother grinds grain” indicate that the caste system was not rigid during this period. | » In later Vedic periods, the power of the king increased. » The power of the priests also rose. » The caste system became hereditary. » The story of the birth of Brahmins from Brahma’s mouth, Kshatriyas from his arms, Vaishyas from his thighs and Shudras from his feet is mentioned in the 10th Mandala of the Rig Veda2. » Restrictions were imposed on the mixing of different castes in society. » Shudras began to be considered untouchable. |
| Gotra | » The Gotra system did not emerge. | » The Gotra system emerged. |
| Location | » Aryans settled in the Sapta Sindhu region. | » Aryans gradually moved eastwards to the Ganges valley. |
| Economy | » Based on the Pastoral (centered on the grazing of sheep or cattle). | » Based on agricultural farming. |
| Literature | » The prominent literature was the Rigveda. » Focused on hymns praising the gods. | » Other literary works developed, such as the Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, and Brahmanas. |
| Technology | » Iron was not used. » The use of basic copper tools was in circulation. | » Iron tools and weapons were introduced along with copper. |
[Note: Earlier, Gotra used to mean a herd or a place where the cows were kept. Later, the word ‘Gotra’ came to mean a lineage originating from a common ancestor.]
Although there were some key differences between these two periods, many similarities were observed.
Similarities – Rigvedic and Later Vedic periods
| Aspect | Similarities |
|---|---|
| Vedic Literature | » Both are part of the Vedic age. » Rigveda was followed during both periods. |
| Language | » The language, Sanskrit, was used for composing hymns during both periods. |
| Religious practices | » Worship of gods. » Yajnas (sacrifices). |
| Patriarchal Society | » Both periods had a patriarchal society. » The older male was the head of a family. |
| Cattle | » Cattle were considered sacred as well as wealth in both periods. |
| Priests | » Brahmins (priests) were the most influential in society. |
| Agriculture | » Agriculture was the common occupation in both periods. |
| Daughter | » The birth of a daughter was not given priority in society. |