Resource
SUBJECT: HISTORY & CIVICS
GRADE: 9
TOPIC: THE VEDIC PERIOD
Q 1: DISCUSS THE LITERARY SOURCES OF THE VEDIC PERIOD.
THE VEDAS [4]
• The Rig Veda: It is the oldest religious text in the world The Rig Vedic hymns are the
authentic sources of knowledge of the life of people of the time. It also contains the
famous 'Gayatri mantra'.
• The Sama Veda: The term, 'Sama' means 'Sweet Song' or the melody. In this Veda,
some hymns are borrowed from the Rig Veda.
• The Yajur Veda: It deals with hymns recited during the performance of Yajnas. The
hymns in this Veda throw light on the social and religious life of the Aryans.
• The Atharva Veda: The hymns contained in this Veda deal with magic and charm. Most
of the hymns are taken from the Rig Veda.
Q 2: WHY IS IT NEEDED TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE EPICS? [4]
The Importance of the Epics
• They give us valuable information about the political institutions, social structures, and
cultural organization during the Epic Age.
• Epics provide insights into various Aryan Kingdoms, including details about their
armies and the weapons they used.
• The Epics are known as some of the greatest literary works from ancient times.
• The Epics tells us about the family life of the Aryans.
• The great heroes portrayed in the Epics serve as role models.
• The Bhagwad Gita, tells us about the philosophy of Karma and the immortality of the
soul.
Q 3: DISCUSS THE SOCIAL ORGANISATION DURING THE EARLY VEDIC
PERIOD. [4]
Family:
• The family was the fundamental unit of the society.
• The head of the family was the oldest male member.
• Marriages were done after the boys and girls attain maturity.
• Monogamy was the preferable form of marriage.
Position of Kings
• The king was the head of a group of villages called “Jana.”
• The king governed with the help of several ministers.
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• The king did not maintain a regular army.
• In the later Vedic age Kings become hereditary and divine.
Assemblies:
• VIDHATHA: It was the assembly which performed all kinds of functions – economic,
military, religious and social.
Women actively participated in its proceedings.
• SAMITI: It was the assembly of the people.
It was called to session on special occasions.
• SABHA: It was the council of elders.
The Sabha performed advisory and judicial functions.
Q 4: COMPARE THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN EARLY AND LATER VEDIC
PERIOD.
EARLY VEDIC PERIOD:
• Women were respected
• Daughters were given the freedom to choose their husbands
• The System of Widow remarriage was prevalent.
• Marriageable age was 16-17 years for girls
LATER VEDIC PERIOD:
• The decline in the status of women
• Their participation in Yajnas was not considered necessary.
• They do not enjoy the right to property.
• The women were not allowed to select their partners.
Q 5: WHAT DO THE PICTURE DEPICT? DISCUSS.
• The picture above depicts the caste system in India.
• It features the four castes in the society. The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and
Shudras
1. Brahmins are the priests who performed religious rituals.
2. The Kshatriyas were warriors who fought wars.
3. The Vaishyas engaged in business and trade.
4. The Shudras served the upper castes.
Q 6: HOW IS THE LIFE SPAN OF AN ARYAN DIVIDED ?
OR
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DISCUSS THE FOUR ASHRAMS OF LIFE. [4]
The whole lifespan of an Aryan was divided into 4 stages:
The Brahmacharya- It lasted up to the age of 25 years, people were expected to acquire
knowledge in gurukul and observe strict discipline.
Grihastha Ashrama- In this a man was supposed to marry and raise the family. The period
lasts from the age of 25 to 50 years.
Vanaprastha Ashrama- it lasts from 50 to75 years of age. In this a Man retires from worldly
life and acquires spiritual and philosophical knowledge.
Sanyasa Ashrama- This lasts from the age of 75 to 100 years. It is the period of renunciation.
In this the Man leaves everything forever and goes into meditation to achieve moksha or
salvation
Q 7: COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE EARLY VEDIC AGE WITH THE LATER
VEDIC AGE BASED ON ECONOMY. [4]
EARLY VEDIC AGE LATER VEDIC AGE
ECONOMY • In the beginning the • Agriculture became the
main occupation was chief occupation while
domestication of domestication of
animals and agriculture animals also continued.
was secondary. • Land was the important
• Cattle was the source of wealth,
important source of • Traders guilds had
wealth. come up and trade had
• Shifting agriculture become very important.
was practiced. • Besides occupations of
• Many engaged in trade earlier period, many
and commerce. new occupations like
Dyeing, embroidery; physicians, musicians,
carpentry, weaving, and many other
pottery, crafts in gold professions emerged.
and iron were
important occupations.
Q 8: WHAT WAS THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION DURING THE VEDIC TIMES. [4]
• Education was given through Gurukuls which was the residence of the ‘Guru’.
• The students lived in the gurukul itself and were treated as their children by the Gurus.
• The students were required to do the household chores of the Guru.
• Most of the teachings were given orally.
• The main objective of education was to bring about physical, mental and spiritual
development of the students.
• The subjects taught were Vedas, Puranas, Grammar, Mathematics, Ethics, Logics nad
Military sciences.
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POINTS TO REMEMBER:
• IMPORTANT OFFICERS: Senani was the commander of the army
Purohita performed religious ceremonies
Gramini carried out the administration.
• On completion of the education the students were required to give Guru Dakshina to the
Gurus.
• The craftsmen of Vedic age include Leather workers, Wheelwrights, Blacksmiths, Potters and
Carpenters.
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