GS Notes

Ancient India Notes 03

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Later Vedic Age (c. 1100-600 BCE)

The Later Vedic period, also known as the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) phase based on its characteristic pottery, marks a significant transition in the socio-political and economic fabric of ancient India. This era witnessed the geographical expansion of Aryan culture from the Sapta Sindhu region into the fertile Gangetic plains.

  • Geographical Expansion and Settlement:

    • The Aryans moved eastwards and southwards, colonizing the entire Ganga-Yamuna doab. This expansion was facilitated by the extensive use of iron tools, which enabled the clearing of dense forests. As historian R.S. Sharma argues in India’s Ancient Past (2005), the shift from a semi-nomadic, pastoral life to a settled agricultural economy was the defining feature of this period.
    • The Kuru tribe, formed by the amalgamation of the Bharatas and Purus, established their dominance in the upper part of the doab, with their capital at Hastinapur (near modern Meerut).
    • Archaeological excavations at sites like Hastinapur, Atranjikhera, and Kausambi have unearthed PGW pottery and iron implements, corroborating the literary evidence from texts like the Brahmanas and Upanishads.
    • This period saw the faint beginnings of urbanism, not as fully developed cities but as proto-urban centres. Hastinapur and Kausambi are referred to as Nagara in later texts, indicating their growing importance as political and administrative hubs.

  • Economy:

    • Agriculture: Agriculture became the mainstay of the economy. The Shatapatha Brahmana, a detailed commentary on the Yajurveda, provides elaborate descriptions of ploughing rituals, indicating the centrality of agriculture. It mentions large ploughs drawn by six, eight, or even twelve oxen. The principal crops included rice (vrihi), wheat (godhuma), and barley (yava).
    • Iron Technology: The knowledge and use of iron (Shyam Ayas or Krishna Ayas, literally ‘black metal’) became widespread. This distinguishes it from the Rig Vedic period’s Lohit Ayas (which likely referred to copper/bronze). Iron was used for making weapons (arrowheads, spearheads) and agricultural tools (ploughshares, sickles), which significantly boosted agricultural productivity. Archaeological evidence from Atranjikhera (Uttar Pradesh) shows iron smelting furnaces dating back to this period.
    • Crafts and Occupations: The period witnessed a diversification of crafts. Texts mention smiths, carpenters, weavers, potters, and leather-workers. Guilds (shrenis) began to emerge, although they became more prominent in the subsequent Mahajanapada period.

  • Polity:

    • From Tribal to Territorial: The concept of polity shifted from Jana (tribe) to Janapada (territory). The king’s authority was no longer just over a tribe but over a specific territory. According to A.L. Basham’s seminal work, The Wonder That Was India (1954), this territorial identity was a crucial step towards the formation of states.
    • The King (Rajan): The power of the Rajan increased immensely. Kingship became hereditary. The king was no longer just a military leader but the protector of the territory and the social order (Varnashrama Dharma).
    • Tribal Assemblies: The popular assemblies of the Rig Vedic period, the Sabha and Samiti, lost their democratic character. They continued to exist but were now dominated by nobles, warriors (Kshatriyas), and priests (Brahmanas), effectively becoming advisory bodies to the king.
    • Taxation: The voluntary offering of the Rig Vedic period, Bali, became a mandatory tax. An officer named Sangrihitri is mentioned in the Atharvaveda and Brahmanas, whose function was to collect and manage these taxes and tributes, indicating the emergence of a rudimentary administrative and fiscal system.
    • Royal Consecration Rituals: The king’s enhanced status was reinforced through elaborate royal sacrifices:
      • Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice): A consecrated horse was let loose to wander for a year, followed by the king’s army. If the horse entered another kingdom and was stopped, it led to a battle. If it roamed unchallenged, it signified the king’s undisputed sovereignty over that entire area.
      • Rajasuya (Royal Consecration): A complex series of sacrifices performed at the time of coronation. It was believed to confer supreme, divine power upon the king, elevating him above his kinsmen and subjects.
      • Vajapeya (Chariot Race): A ritualistic chariot race where the royal chariot was symbolically made to win against those of his kinsmen, asserting his pre-eminence.

  • Society:

    • Varna System: The four-fold Varna system became rigid and hereditary. The Purusha Sukta hymn of the Rigveda (which is considered a later addition) was often invoked to provide divine sanction to this hierarchy: Brahmanas (priests, scholars), Kshatriyas (rulers, warriors), Vaishyas (farmers, merchants), and Shudras (serving the other three).
    • Privileges and Disabilities: The Shudras, the fourth Varna, were systematically excluded from key rituals. They were denied the Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), which marked the beginning of education and conferred the status of Dvija (twice-born) upon the upper three Varnas. Recitation of the Gayatri Mantra was also forbidden for them.
    • Status of Women: There was a marked decline in the status of women compared to the Rig Vedic period. They were no longer permitted to attend public assemblies like the Sabha. They were also denied the Upanayana ceremony and Vedic education. Patriarchal norms became stronger, and their role was largely confined to the domestic sphere.
    • Institution of Gotra: The concept of Gotra appeared for the first time. Literally meaning ‘cow-pen’, it signified a group of people descended from a common male ancestor. The primary rule of Gotra was exogamy, i.e., marriage was forbidden within the same Gotra.
    • The Four Ashramas: The ideal of life being divided into four stages or Ashramas was established: Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (household life), Vanaprastha (partial retirement to the forest), and Sanyasa (complete renunciation). This system was primarily intended for the male members of the Dvija Varnas.

  • Religion:

    • Shift in Deities: The prominent Rig Vedic gods, Indra (god of war and rain) and Agni (god of fire), lost their pre-eminence. They were replaced by new gods who gained importance: Prajapati (the Creator, later identified with Brahma), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Rudra (the Destroyer, who evolved into Shiva).
    • Dominance of Ritual and Sacrifice: The nature of worship changed dramatically. The cult of sacrifice (Yajna) became the most important religious activity, overshadowing simple prayers. These sacrifices became extremely complex and elaborate, requiring the specialized knowledge of Brahmana priests. The person for whom the sacrifice was performed was called the Yajamana.
    • Upanishadic Reaction: Towards the end of the Vedic period (c. 800-600 BCE), a strong intellectual reaction against the priestly dominance, complex rituals, and sacrificial cult emerged. This is reflected in the Upanishads (also called Vedanta, the end of the Vedas). The Upanishads criticized ritualism and emphasized Jnana (knowledge) over Karma (ritual action). They explored philosophical concepts like Brahman (the ultimate reality) and Atman (the individual soul), laying the foundation for many later Indian philosophical traditions.

  • Transition to Janapadas:

    • The confluence of settled agriculture, a regular taxation system, and the extensive use of iron led to the emergence of small, settled territorial states known as Janapadas. The term Janapada is first mentioned in Brahmana literature around 800 BCE. These Janapadas eventually coalesced and competed, leading to the formation of larger kingdoms, the Mahajanapadas, by the 6th century BCE.

Mahajanapada Period (c. 600-300 BCE)

This period marks the beginning of India’s “Second Urbanisation” (the first being the Harappan civilization) and the rise of early historical states.

  • Sources: Our knowledge of this period is derived from a rich variety of literary sources.
    • Brahmanical Literature: Epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana (in their earliest forms), the Puranas, and the Dharmasutras provide information on the political and social conditions.
    • Buddhist Literature:
      • Tripitaka (“Three Baskets”): These are the earliest and most important Buddhist scriptures.
        • Sutta Pitaka: Contains the sermons and sayings of the Buddha, compiled at the First Buddhist Council shortly after his death.
        • Vinaya Pitaka: Lays down the rules of conduct for monks and nuns of the Buddhist Sangha. It includes the Pratimoksha, a list of transgressions and their corresponding atonements.
        • Abhidhamma Pitaka: A later compilation, it deals with Buddhist philosophy and metaphysics in a scholastic manner.
      • Jataka Stories: A collection of over 500 tales about the previous births of the Buddha, which provide invaluable insights into the social and economic life of the period.
      • Theragatha and Therigatha: Collections of verses or songs by elder Buddhist monks (Theras) and nuns (Theris). The Therigatha is particularly significant as one of the earliest Indian texts written from a woman’s perspective.
    • Jain Literature: The canonical texts are collectively known as the Agamas or Siddhanta. Important works include the Bhagavati Sutra, which lists the Mahajanapadas, and Hemachandra’s Parishishtaparvan (a later work but based on older traditions).
    • Secular Literature:
      • Ashtadhyayi by Panini: A masterpiece of Sanskrit grammar written in the 5th-4th century BCE. Panini, who belonged to the Gandhara region and likely studied at Taxila, provides incidental but precise information on the geography, peoples, customs, and political entities (Janapadas) of his time, especially of North-West India. Scholar V.S. Agrawala’s India as Known to Pāṇini (1953) is a classic study based on this text.

The 16 Mahajanapadas

Buddhist texts like the Anguttara Nikaya and Jain texts like the Bhagavati Sutra list sixteen great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas that flourished in the 6th century BCE.

  1. Anga: Located in modern Munger and Bhagalpur districts of Bihar. Its capital was Champa, a major river port known for its wealth and commerce.
  2. Magadha: Initially comprised modern Patna and Gaya districts. Its early capital was Rajagriha (Girivraja), later shifted to Pataliputra. It emerged as the most powerful empire.
  3. Kashi: Centered around its capital Varanasi. It was one of the most powerful states initially but was later absorbed by Kosala.
  4. Kosala: Covered modern Awadh region in Uttar Pradesh. The river Saryu divided it into two parts. Its capitals were Shravasti (northern) and Kushavati (southern). Ayodhya was an important city.
  5. Vajji: A confederacy of eight clans (atthakula) located north of the Ganga in Bihar. The Licchavis were the most powerful clan, with their capital at Vaishali. It was a Gana-sangha (oligarchy).
  6. Malla: Also a Gana-sangha, located near the Vajji confederacy. It had two capitals: Kushinara (where the Buddha attained mahaparinirvana) and Pava (where Mahavira passed away).
  7. Chedi: Located in the Bundelkhand region of modern Madhya Pradesh. Its capital was Sothivatinagara (or Shuktimati).
  8. Vatsa: Situated along the banks of the Yamuna, with its capital at Kausambi (near Allahabad). Its king Udayana is the hero of several famous romantic dramas.
  9. Kuru: Located in the Meerut-Delhi-Thanesar region. Its capital was Indraprastha (identified with the Purana Qila region of Delhi).
  10. Panchala: Located in western Uttar Pradesh. The Ganga divided it into Northern Panchala (capital: Ahichchhatra) and Southern Panchala (capital: Kampilya).
  11. Matsya: Covered the region of Jaipur-Alwar-Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Its capital was Viratanagara.
  12. Shurasena: Located in the Braj-mandal region with its capital at Mathura.
  13. Asmaka (or Assaka): The only Mahajanapada south of the Vindhyas, situated on the banks of the Godavari river. Its capital was Potana or Potali.
  14. Avanti: Located in modern Malwa and adjoining parts of Madhya Pradesh. It was divided into a northern part (capital: Ujjayini) and a southern part (capital: Mahishmati). It was a major rival of Magadha.
  15. Gandhara: Covered the region of modern Peshawar and Rawalpindi in Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. Its capital, Taxila (Takshashila), was a renowned centre of learning.
  16. Kamboja: Located in the Hazara district of Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan. Its capital was likely Rajapura. It was known for its excellent horses.

Rise of Magadha

Among the four most powerful Mahajanapadas—Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa, and Avanti—Magadha ultimately emerged as the supreme political power.

  • Reasons for Magadha’s Success:

    1. Economic Strength: It was located in the fertile lower Gangetic plain, which produced a rich agricultural surplus, supporting a large population and a standing army.
    2. Resource Availability: The proximity to the Chotanagpur plateau gave it access to rich iron ore deposits for making superior weapons and tools. The surrounding forests provided timber for construction and elephants for its army, a unique military advantage.
    3. Strategic Capitals: The first capital, Rajagriha, was a natural fortress surrounded by five hills (Girivraja). The later capital, Pataliputra, was a formidable water-fort (Jala-durga) situated at the confluence of the Ganga, Gandak, and Son rivers, controlling riverine trade and communication.
    4. Ambitious Rulers: Magadha was blessed with a series of powerful and ambitious rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, and later Mahapadma Nanda, who used all means, fair and foul, to expand their empire.
    5. Unorthodox Character: As argued by historian Romila Thapar, Magadha’s location on the eastern periphery of the core Aryan culture meant it was less influenced by orthodox Brahmanical traditions. This social flexibility and openness to new ideas (Buddhism and Jainism flourished here) contributed to its political dynamism.

  • Political Systems: The Mahajanapadas had two main types of polity:

    • Monarchy: The majority of states, like Magadha, Kosala, and Avanti, were monarchies with hereditary kingship.
    • Oligarchy/Republic (Gana-sangha): States like Vajji and Malla were ruled by a council of ruling Kshatriya families or clans, not a single king. While more participatory than monarchies, power was still restricted to a specific group.

The Haryanka Dynasty (c. 544-413 BCE)

  • Bimbisara (c. 544-492 BCE):

    • Considered the first important king of Magadha, he laid the foundations of its imperial power. He was a contemporary of both Gautama Buddha and Mahavira.
    • He was the first Indian king to maintain a large standing army.
    • He used a three-pronged policy of matrimonial alliances (marrying princesses of Kosala, Vaishali, and Madra), diplomacy, and conquest (annexing Anga).
    • He maintained a cordial relationship with Pradyota, the king of Avanti, and even sent his royal physician, Jivaka, to Ujjain to treat him.
    • According to Buddhist traditions, he was imprisoned and killed by his ambitious son, Ajatashatru.

  • Ajatashatru (c. 492-460 BCE):

    • He pursued an aggressive policy of expansion, fighting a long war with Kosala and eventually conquering the powerful Vajji confederacy through deceit and military might.
    • He is credited with inventing two new war engines: the Rathamusala (a chariot with rotating maces) and the Mahashilakantaka (a large engine for hurling stones).
    • He was also a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavira. After the Buddha’s death, he patronized the First Buddhist Council at Rajagriha.
    • His son, Udayin, succeeded him and is primarily remembered for shifting the capital of Magadha from Rajagriha to the strategically located Pataliputra.

Prelims Pointers

  • The archaeological culture associated with the Later Vedic period is the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture.
  • The term for iron in Later Vedic texts is Shyam Ayas or Krishna Ayas (black metal).
  • The Shatapatha Brahmana contains detailed descriptions of agricultural rituals.
  • The tax collector in the Later Vedic period was known as Sangrihitri.
  • Ashvamedha Yajna: Horse sacrifice for establishing sovereignty.
  • Rajasuya Yajna: Consecration ceremony for conferring supreme power on the king.
  • Vajapeya Yajna: Chariot race to establish the king’s pre-eminence.
  • The status of Dvija (twice-born) was granted after the Upanayana (sacred thread) ceremony to Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.
  • The Gotra system, signifying descent from a common ancestor, emerged during this period, and it mandated clan exogamy.
  • The four Ashramas are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sanyasa.
  • Important Later Vedic gods: Prajapati, Rudra, Vishnu.
  • The Upanishads are philosophical texts that criticized rituals and are also known as Vedanta.
  • The earliest Buddhist texts are the Tripitakas (Sutta, Vinaya, Abhidhamma Pitakas).
  • The Therigatha is a collection of poems by Buddhist nuns, one of the earliest texts from a woman’s perspective in India.
  • Ashtadhyayi, a work on Sanskrit grammar, was written by Panini.
  • The only Mahajanapada located in South India was Asmaka, on the banks of the Godavari.
  • Vajji and Malla were oligarchies or Gana-sanghas, not monarchies.
  • Taxila, the capital of Gandhara, was a famous centre of learning.
  • The Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (death) at Kushinara, a capital of the Mallas.
  • Magadhan king Bimbisara’s royal physician was Jivaka.
  • The First Buddhist Council was convened by King Ajatashatru at Rajagriha.
  • The capital of Magadha was shifted from Rajagriha to Pataliputra by Udayin.

Mains Insights

  • Cause and Effect: From Later Vedic to Mahajanapadas: The transition from the Later Vedic period to the age of Mahajanapadas can be understood as a direct causal chain.

    1. Cause: Widespread use of iron technology for clearing forests and for ploughshares.
    2. Effect: Led to a massive agricultural surplus in the fertile Gangetic plains.
    3. Consequence: This surplus could support a larger, non-food-producing population, including a professional army, artisans, and a priestly class. This led to social stratification (rigid Varna system) and the faint beginnings of urbanism.
    4. Political Outcome: The king, who controlled the surplus through a new system of compulsory taxation (Bali), became powerful. This transformed the polity from tribal (Jana) to territorial (Janapada), ultimately leading to competition and the emergence of large states, or Mahajanapadas.

  • Debate: Second Urbanisation: The Mahajanapada period is often termed the “Second Urbanisation” of India. This concept, popularized by scholars like V. Gordon Childe and further elaborated by Indian historians like R.S. Sharma and A. Ghosh, highlights the re-emergence of cities after the decline of the Harappan civilization. Key features included fortified cities, coinage (punch-marked coins), diverse crafts, long-distance trade, and the emergence of writing (Brahmi script). The material basis for this urbanisation was the iron-age agricultural surplus.

  • Historiographical Viewpoint: Rise of Heterodoxies: The religious landscape of the late Vedic period created the intellectual context for the rise of Buddhism and Jainism. The over-emphasis on complex, expensive, and often violent (animal sacrifice) Brahmanical rituals led to an intellectual and social reaction. The Upanishads represented an internal critique from within the Brahmanical tradition. However, Buddhism and Jainism offered more radical, accessible, and non-violent alternatives that appealed especially to the Kshatriya and Vaishya Varnas, who were resentful of Brahmana dominance and the disruption of trade by frequent yajnas.

  • Polity: Monarchy vs. Gana-sangha: The Mahajanapada period presents two contrasting political systems.

    • Monarchies (e.g., Magadha): Characterized by centralized authority, a standing army, and an expanding bureaucracy. They were militarily aggressive and efficient in resource mobilization, which ultimately allowed them to dominate.
    • Gana-sanghas (e.g., Vajji): These were oligarchies run by Kshatriya councils. They valued discussion and consensus among the ruling elite. However, they were vulnerable to internal dissent and espionage (as Ajatashatru exploited to defeat the Vajjis), and their decentralized nature made it difficult to maintain a large, unified army for prolonged campaigns against powerful monarchies. Their eventual decline highlights the ascendancy of the centralized monarchical state model in ancient India.

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