The Late Vedic Period was the period when the Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda were composed. During this period, Vedic culture had expanded beyond the Indus and Saraswati rivers to the Ganges and Yamuna plains. The advancement of agriculture during this period also led to the development of new industries. This led to the formation and growth of states.
The region where the people of the Jana lived came to be known as Janapada. For example, the Kuru Janapada, the Panchala Janapada, the Surasena Janapada, etc.
In the Vedic period, joint families were prevalent. Brothers and members of several generations lived together in one family. The oldest male was the head of the family, known as Grihapati. Everyone obeyed his orders.
According to Vedic literature, every human being's life was divided into four stages, known as the Ashrama system. The first was the Brahmacharya Ashram, where a person received education in childhood. The second, the Grihastha Ashram, where a person married and raised a family. The third, the Vanaprastha Ashram, where a person lived away from family and engaged in contemplation. The fourth, the Sanyas Ashram, where a person spent the last days of his life away from home and family, traveling on pilgrimages.
In the later Vedic period, most householders engaged in farming and animal husbandry. They were called Vaishyas. These householders were also surrounded by servants who served them. From time to time, householders would give gifts to the king, which would cover the expenses of the king and the kingdom.
The head of the entire tribe was called the Raja. His relatives and associates were called Rajanyas. Their primary duty was to protect the tribe. However, in times of war, all the men of the tribe participated, as before.
Later Vedic literature reveals that kings and nobles began performing large yagnas, such as the Ashvamedha Yagya and the Rajasuya Yagya, which lasted for several months and involved significant expenditure. These yagnas were conducted by Brahmins or priests. Brahmins received donations of money, cows, and other items. They believed that these yagnas would bring prosperity to the region and empower the king.
In the post-Vedic period, society was divided into four varnas. The first was the Brahmin varna, who performed yagnas and read and taught the Vedas. The second was the Kshatriya varna, who governed and protected the region. The third was the Vaishya varna, who engaged in farming and animal husbandry. The fourth was the Shudra varna, who performed service activities. It was because of the varna system that the caste system later flourished in society.
Agriculture flourished during the later Vedic period. Farmers began producing a variety of grains in large quantities, such as rice, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses. Agriculture flourished during the post-Vedic period. Farmers began producing a variety of grains in greater quantities, such as rice, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses. This advancement in agriculture led to material prosperity in Vedic society. Skilled artisans emerged to create new ornaments, leather goods, and wooden objects. Along with this, the use of various metals increased in people's lives. Iron, in particular, was used, which they called "black ore" or "black metal". We get information about all this from Vedic texts. Excavations have uncovered items from that period, such as pottery and iron tools.
Our country's two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, are based on the events of the later Vedic period. The Ramayana, composed by Maharishi Valmiki, is based on the events of the Kosala region. Similarly, the Mahabharata, composed by Maharishi Vyas, is based on the events of the Kuru, Panchala, and Surasena regions. These two epics are the foundation of Indian culture. They have influenced all aspects of human life. Studying them provides insight into the history of this time.