Uttarvedic period – (1000-600 BC), the period that came in ancient India after the Rigveda was the Uttarvedic era. The information of this period comes from archaeological and literary sources.
Important facts related to Rigveda-
- In Indian history, the period in which Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda and Brahmanic texts, Aranyak, and Upanishads were composed, has been called the Uttarvedic period.
- Madhya Desh was the main center of this culture.
- There is mention of a mountain named Trikkud in the post-lingual texts.
- Kaushitaki Upanishad mentions a mountain of the south.
- In the Sathpath Brahmin, the mention of Rewa and Sadanira rivers of the Uttarvedic period.
- In Atharva Veda, people of Magadha have been called vratya.
- In Sathpath Brahmin there is detailed information about the rituals related to the plowing of plow.
- The emergence of the currency system was not possible in this period. Hence, sacrifices, fees, portions etc. were given to the king as objects.
- In Atharvaveda, at one place the description of the King’s election by Wish is given.
- The details of 12 types of Ratniyon are found in Shatpath Brahmin.
- In the Kathopanishad, Nachiketa was preached by Acharya Yama to Brahmanism.
- The dialogue between Aruniudalak and Swetaketu is found in Chandogya Upanishad.
- Shwetashwar Upanishad is dedicated to Rudra devta, in which his next name is Shiva.
- The Vrahdaranyakya Upanishad is the largest of the other Upanishads; its principal spokesman is Maharishi Yagyavalakya.
- Yajna is a boat which can not be trusted – Mundkopanishad.
- The first rendering of the Nishkam Karma principle took place in the Isopanishad.
- Maharishi Yagyavalakya defeated many Brahminical scholars in a debate in the court of Vedeh’s king Janak. He has two wives Metreyi and Katyayi.
- Kadopanishad mentions the story of Yama and Nachiketa and getting three boons between them.
- According to the Taitriya Brahmin, wearing of Yagyopaveet was yarn by Brahman, Sun by Kshatriya, and wool by Vaishyas.
- Panchal state was famous for its philosophical kings and Darwinism Brahmins.
- There were different units of measurement Nishk(gold coin), shatman (silver coin), Pad, Krishnal, etc.
- Idol worship was started in the Uttarvedic period.
- Red Mradbhand were the most prevalent in the Uttarvedic period, but the painted Ghooser Mradbhand was typical of this era.
- Mimansa Darshan insists on the classical rendition of Vedic rituals, according to the Vedas, the work done by the Vedas is Dharma.
- The ashram system was fully completely established in four ashrams in the Uttarvedic period.
- In the Atreya Brahmin, the first description of the duties of four castes is found.
- The Gautra system started in the Uttarvedic period.
- First of all and the biggest Iron Beam is found in Atranjikheda.
- Shveteshwar Upanishad is dedicated to Rudradevata, in which his name is Shiva.
- In Chhondogya Upanishad, History-Purana is said to be the fifth Vedas.
- Prayer has been made for the growth of cattle in Atharva Veda.
- The process of agriculture is mentioned in the fourth division of the Rigveda..
- According to a statement of Sathpatha Brahmin, the king is that who has the approval of the people.
- The Earth Sukta is a Vedic national anthem of Atharva Veda. In which there is a demonstration of his strong power towards the Arya land.
- A detailed study of the yajnas of Ashwamegh, Vajpayee, Rajasuya, etc. shows that the Ashwamegh Yagya was the most important yajna in the state’s yajna.
- The Vrahdranyak Upanishad mentions the Yagyavalkya-Gargi dialogue.
- The first mention of the three ashrams is found in the Chhandogya Upanishad and of four Ashrams in Jabalopanishad.
- Ghosha was the unmarried girl.
- Lopamudra was the wife of Agastya Rishi and the author of Vedic Richas.
- Uttarvedic literature mentions Brahmins and Kshatriyas and friends, Varun, and there is also a description of the clashes between Brahmins and Kshatriyas.
- We get a glimpse of the Rigvedic education system in the Mundak Sukt of Rigveda.
- Brahmin was one of the 16 types of priests who used to organize the yajnas.
- The Shatpath Brahmin first shows the principle of reincarnation.
- The first use of the word Vaishya is found in the Vajasaneyi Samhita.
- The chief and new center of the Arya culture was Kurukshetra in this period.
- Kaushal in East (Awadh), Kashi and Vedeh (North Bihar) became the new centers of Aaryas in this period.
- In the Uttarvedic period, the yajna was the basic foundation of the then culture.
- In this era, the god named Prajapati (the creator of the universe) had the highest position.
- Rudra the god of animals became an important god during this period.
- Vishnu was worshiped as a guardian. Pushan was the god of Shoodro.
- In this period, Arya was dependent on the agriculture-based economy and animal husbandry was also there.
- The industries also developed in this period. In this period, lead, tin, silver, copper, and iron were in vogue.
- In this period, trade was mainly based on the system of regulations. The main currency was called Shataman.
- The society of Uttarvedic period was divided into four classes – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shoodro.
- Upanayan Samskaras was only for Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya’s but Shoodra had no right for Upanayan Samskaras.
- Caste change became difficult during this period.
- The basis of the class(caste) was birth, not work.
- The rise of powerful monarchies is also characteristic of this period.
- The Atreya Brahmin mentions empire, Bhojya, Swarajya, Parameshthya, State, Maharaj, Lordship, and Universal states.
- The ruler of the states used to do Ashwamegh, Rajsuya, Vajpayee, and Agnishtom yajnas, after the establishment of the empire.
- Several new departments were created in the state to facilitate administrative arrangements.
- In the Uttarvedic period, the supreme authority of the justice system was the king.
- In this period, the judge was called the Sthapati.
- An officer named Gramyavadin used to take the decision in the cases and crimes committed at the village level.
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