Vedic Age (c. 1500 BCE – 600 BCE)

The Vedic Age is a period in ancient Indian history that extends from approximately 1500 BCE to 600 BCE. It takes its name from the Vedas, a collection of sacred hymns and texts that are among the oldest religious texts in the world and form the basis of Hinduism.

During this period, the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indian subcontinent and settled in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, which is now modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The Vedic Age is marked by the composition and recitation of the Vedas and the development of early Hinduism. The Vedas are divided into four main texts: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharvaveda.

The Vedic Age is also characterized by the emergence of the caste system, which divided society into four main classes: the Brahmins (priests and scholars), the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), the Vaishyas (merchants and artisans), and the Shudras (laborers and servants). This system was based on occupation and birth, and it played an important role in shaping Indian society and culture for centuries.

The Vedic Age also saw the development of early Hinduism, including the worship of various deities, such as Agni, Indra, and Varuna. The practice of sacrifice and rituals also played a central role in Vedic religion. The Upanishads, a collection of philosophical and spiritual texts that expand on the teachings of the Vedas, were also composed during this period.

Overall, the Vedic Age was a crucial period in the development of Indian culture and religion, and it had a lasting impact on the social, religious, and philosophical traditions of India.