Скачать или смотреть Later Vedic Period Explained | Mahajanapadas, Polity, Economy & Society | UPSC History

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In this detailed lecture, we explore the Later Vedic Period (1000–600 BCE)—a crucial topic for UPSC Prelims and Mains (GS-1: Ancient Indian History).
The session systematically explains political evolution, economy, society, religion, rituals, and the rise of the 16 Mahajanapadas, with special focus on terminology UPSC often tests directly.

🔹 Political Evolution in the Later Vedic Period
As kingdoms expanded geographically, titles of kings changed:
Raja → Early Vedic
Samrat → Eastern India (e.g., Ashoka)
Swarat → Western India
Bhoj → Southern India

The king was assisted by:
✔ Priests
✔ Commander-in-chief
✔ Queen
✔ Sabha & Samiti

People still had a role in choosing the king, provided he showed:
Good conduct
Warrior abilities
🔹 Rituals & Religion
Major royal rituals included:
Rajasuya Yagya
Ashvamedha Yagya (horse sacrifice)
Vajapeya & Ratnasava Yagya
📌 Religious shift:
From nature worship (Indra, Agni, Varuna)
To idol worship & ritualism
These rituals were monopolized by priests, increasing Brahmanical dominance.
🔹 Economy & Agriculture
Iron known as Krishna Ayas
Economy described in Atharvaveda
Taxes:
Bali – compulsory offering
Bhaga – share of agricultural produce
Shulka – toll/custom duty
📜 Satapatha Brahmana Ritual:
Raja must plough first after monsoon
Only then farmers begin sowing
Major crops:
Rice & Wheat
Region: Ganga–Yamuna Doab (Vedi region)
🔹 Archaeological Evidence
Painted Grey Ware (PGW)
Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
Urban centers referred to as “Nagara”
Hastinapur
Kaushambi
🔹 16 Mahajanapadas (Key Examples)
Kuru – Hastinapur
Panchala – Ahichhatra / Kampilya
Kosala – Shravasti
Magadha – Rajgir / Pataliputra
Anga – Champa
Vajji – Vaishali
Avanti – Ujjain
Gandhara – Taxila
📌 Extremely important for UPSC Prelims mapping questions
🔹 Society & Varna System
Varna system became rigid
Upanayana ceremony marked social initiation
Shudras were deprived of:
Reading Vedic texts
Reciting Gayatri Mantra
Participating in rituals
This marked the institutionalization of social inequality.
🎯 Why This Video is Important for UPSC

✔ Covers static + factual + conceptual areas
✔ Direct relevance to Prelims MCQs
✔ Strong linkage with archaeology, polity, economy & society
✔ Explains terminology UPSC loves to ask

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