* The word Aryan literally means of high birth. The location of the original homeland of the Aryans is still controversial, but the most accepted theory is that they migrated from Central Asia and settled in the place which is known as the land of seven rivers.
* This theory was given by Max Muller.
RIGVEDIC PERIOD (1500-1000 BC)
Early Vedic people lived in the region of Sapta Sindhu. They had knowledge of about 40 rivers including Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga. Ocean was mentioned as Samudra. Himalaya as Himvant, Hindukush as Munjavant and desert as Dhawa.
Economy
* Aryans possessed better knowledge in agriculture. Ploughshare is mentioned in the Rigveda. It was made up of wood and was drawn by the ox. They were acquainted with sowing, harvesting, threshing and knew about different seasons.
*The term 'ayas' used for copper or bronze shows that metal working was known.
* Cow was the standard unit of exchange. Gold coins like Nishka, Krishna and Satmana were in use. Godhuli was used as a measure of time and Gavyuti as measure of distance.
Rivers mentioned in the Rigveda
Sindhu. Indus
Vitasta. Jhelum
Asikni. Chenab
Parushni Ravi
Vipas. Beas
Sutudri. Sutlej
Gomati. Gomal
Krumu. Kurram
Drishadvati. Ghaggar
Suvastu. Swat
Kubha. Kabul
Nandi tara. Saraswati
Sadanira. Gandak
Rigvedic Gods
*Rigvedic people believed in nature worship, and not in erecting temples or idol worship. They performed Yajnas in open areas.
*Soma was considered to be the God of plants and an intoxicating drink was named after him. The 9th mandala of Rigveda, i.e. Soma Mandala is attributed to Soma.
*Some female divinities were Aditi and Usha (Goddess of Dawn).
Polity
* The King or Rajan was the head of the tribal polity. Although his post was hereditary, we have also some traces of election by the tribal assembly called samiti.
*The Samiti was the National Assembly of the people; while the Sabha was the Council of Elders.
*King was assisted by many functionaries. Most important is the Purohita, the religious advisor of the king, followed by the Senani, the head of the army.
Society
*Kinship was the basis of society's structure. People gave their primary loyalty to the tribe, which was called Jana or Vis. Vis was divided into grama. When grama clashed with one another, it caused the sangrama meaning war.
*
Society was mostly Patriarchal, Monogamy was prevalent. No evidence of child marriage. Levirate and widow remarriage was practised.
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