Ancient History of India : OLD NCERT Short Notes or Revision : CHAPTER-12 : The Age of the Rig Veda (Arora IAS) OLD NCERT Notes

Arrival of the Indo-Aryans

Origin: Indo-Iranians (Indo-Aryans & Iranians) migrated from Central Asia.
- Andronovo culture (entire Central Asia, 2nd millennium BC).
- Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC, 1900-1500 BC): covered south Central Asia (Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan).
Early Settlements in India:
- Eastern Afghanistan, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh.
- Sarasvati River (Rig Veda): Identified with Helmand River (south Afghanistan).
- Land of the Seven Rivers.

Tribal Conflicts:
- Indo-Aryans fought with both:
  - Pre-Aryan inhabitants.
  - Each other (Panchajana – five tribes).

Agriculture:
- Known to pre-Aryans (possibly for fodder).
- Importance of cattle evident in Rig Veda (warfare – “gavishthi” – search for cows).
Bhagwanpura Site:
- Overlapping layers of Painted Grey Ware and “late Harappan” pottery found (dated 1600-1000 BC, coinciding with Rig Veda period).

Tribal Chiefdom:
- Leader: Rajan (king) – chosen by tribal assembly (samiti) for war leadership.
- Role: Protector of the tribe.
- Women participated in Sabha (assembly) and Vidatha (council) during Rig Vedic times.
Military Leader:Senani – head of the army.
Land and Pastoral Management:
- Vrajapati – officer overseeing large areas of land or pasture.
- Kulapas – heads of families who fought in battles.
- Grammi – head of a small fighting unit (grama) – evolved from leader of kin-based unit.

Primary Unit:Tribe (jana) – strong loyalty.
- Smaller units: vis (mentioned 170 times in Rig Veda).
Social Differentiation:Caused by conquest of indigenous people.

Main Deities:
- Indra (war god) – 250 hymns in Rig Veda.
- Agni (fire god) – 200 hymns.
- Varuna (water god).
- Soma (plant god, intoxicating drink named after him).
- Maruts (storm gods).
Other Important Figures:
- Sarasvati (river goddess).
- Aditi, Usha (dawn goddess).