In the Later Vedic Period, the Aryans pushed further east. The Satapatha Brahmana describes Aryan spread to the eastern Gangetic plains. The Aryans fully subjugated the rich plains nourished by the Yamuna, Ganges, and Sadanira rivers during the Later Vedic Age. They migrated through the Vindhyas and settled in the Deccan, north of Godavari. This article will explain to you the Later Vedic Age (1000 BC – 600BC) which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Later Vedic Age (1000 BC – 600BC)

• In the Later Vedic Period, the Aryans went even further east. The Satapatha Brahmana alludes to the spread of Aryans to the eastern Gangetic plains.
• Several tribal groupings and kingdoms are referenced in later Vedic literature. The expansion of big kingdoms was a significant development during this time period.
• In the beginning, the Kuru and Panchala kingdoms prospered. Kuru's prominent rulers were Parikshat and Janamejaya.
• Pravahana Jaivali was a well-liked Panchalas ruler.
• He was a supporter of education. Following the collapse of the Kurus and Panchalas, other kingdoms such as Kosala, Kasi, and Videha rose to prominence. Kasi's most notable ruler was Ajatasatru.
• Janaka ruled Videha, which had its capital at Mithila. Yajnavalkya, a scholar, ornamented his court.
• The easternmost tribal kingdoms appear to be Magadha, Anga, and Vanga.
• Later Vedic scriptures also allude to India's three divisions: Aryavarta (northern India), Madhyadesa (middle India), and Dakshinapatha (east India) (southern India).
• During this time, two further collections were composed: the Yajur Veda Samhita and the Atharva Veda Samhita.
• The hymns in the Yajur Veda are accompanied with rites that represent the society's sociopolitical framework.
• The Atharva Veda contains charms and spells meant to stave against evil. They mirrored the non-Aryan ideas and customs.
• The Samhitas were followed by the Brahmanas, a collection of literature that discussed the social and religious components of rites.

Iron Culture

• Iron became popular about 1000 BC and was discovered within tombs in Pakistan and Baluchistan.
• From circa 800 BC, iron was utilised to produce weapons such as arrowheads and spearheads in Uttar Pradesh.
• Later Vedic literature employs the names 'Syama' or 'Krishna ayas' to refer to iron.
• Although agriculture was basic, it was widespread, and rice and wheat became more common in the later Vedic period.
• The introduction of metals resulted in the growth of several arts and crafts.
• Smelters, iron and copper smiths, and carpenters all emerged as occupations.
• In the later Vedic period, there were four varieties of pottery: black-and-red ware, black-slipped ware, painted grey ware, and red ware.

Later Vedic Age - Political Organisation

• During the later Vedic era, larger kingdoms arose.
• In the later Vedic period, many jana or tribes merged to form janapadas or rashtras.
• As a result, the royal power grew in tandem with the kingdom's expansion. To bolster his status, the king undertook several ceremonies and sacrifices.
• Rajasuya (consecration ceremony), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice), and Vajpeya (chariot race) are among them.
• The rulers were also given titles such as Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi (Lord of the Earth), Ekrat, and Samrat (sole ruler).
• In the later Vedic period, in addition to the existing purohita, senani, and gramani, a great number of additional officials were active in administration.
• The treasury officer, tax collector, and royal messenger are among them. The village assemblies were in charge of governance at the lowest levels.
• During the later Vedic period, the Samiti and Sabha's influence waned.

Later Vedic Age - Economic Condition

• Iron was widely used during this time period, allowing humans to remove forests and cultivate additional land.
• Agriculture was the primary employment. For farming, improved cultivating equipment was utilised.
• In addition to barley, rice and wheat were farmed. Another benefit was knowledge of manure.
• Industrial activity became more diverse, and specialisation increased. Metalwork, leatherwork, woodwork, and ceramics all advanced significantly.
• Foreign trade expanded in addition to domestic trade.
• The Later Vedic people were seafaring and traded with places like Babylon. A class of hereditary merchants (vaniya) emerged.
• Vaisyas was also a trader and merchant. They banded together to form ganas, or guilds.
• Aside from the Rig Vedic nishka, gold and silver coins such as satamana and krishnala were utilised as mediums of commerce.

Later Vedic Age - Social Life

• During the Later Vedic period, the four divisions of society (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras), or the Varna system, were completely established.
• The Brahmin and Kshatriya castes had benefits that the Vaisya and Shudra classes did not.
• A Brahmin had a greater standing than a Kshatriya, yet Kshatriyas often claimed superiority over Brahmins.
• During this time, many sub-castes based on employment emerged.
• During the Later Vedic period, the father's authority in the family grew. There was no progress in women's status.
• They were still regarded as inferior and subservient to males.
• Women's political rights to attend assemblies were likewise revoked. Child marriages were becoming more widespread.
• A daughter, according to the Aitareya Brahmana, is a cause of unhappiness. Women in the royal household, on the other hand, had significant advantages.

Later Vedic Age - Religion

• Early Vedic gods such as Indra and Agni lost their significance.
• During the Later Vedic era, Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector), and Rudra (the destroyer) rose to prominence.
• Sacrifices remained significant, and the rites associated with them grew more intricate.
• Prayers became less important as sacrifices became more important. Priesthood became a profession, and it became hereditary.
• The priestly elite created and elaborated on sacrificial formulas.
• As a result, at the conclusion of this time, there was a significant pushback against priestly rule as well as sacrifices and rites.
• These elaborate sacrifices were directly responsible for the emergence of Buddhism and Jainism.
• Furthermore, the writers of the Upanishads, the heart of Hindu philosophy, rejected needless rituals in favour of pure knowledge (jnana) for serenity and salvation.

Conclusion

The Aryans advanced eastward throughout the Later Vedic Period. According to the Satapatha Brahmana, Aryans moved to the eastern Gangetic plains. The Kuru and Panchala kingdoms flourished at first. Parikshat and Janamejaya were two important Kuru monarchs. The Aryans fully controlled the rich plains nourished by rivers such as the Yamuna, Ganges, and Sadanira during the Later Vedic Age (1000-600 B.C.).