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2 Vedic Age later-vedic-era - Coggle Diagram
2 Vedic Age 
Development
Indo-European Ancestry
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Very little genetic evidence of a migration of peoples, more linguistic and cultural
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Around 1500 BCE, a group of Indo-Iranian speakers migrates to the Pubjab, but probably not an invasion
Migrants brought horses, language and other cultural elements. Mixed with the local population which was in the process of quitting the IVC cities
Vedic civilisation
From 1500 BCE to 500 BCE, Vedic language and cultural region stretched from the Indus valley to the Ganges delta
Trend from small tribal groups into increasingly large, complex states
First political units were clans, headed by the "raja", which then came to be known as kings. Rule of the Rajas reinforced by elaborate rituals
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Research
In 1786, William Jones, a British judge and Sanskrit scholar based in Calcutta, announced that Sanskrit was clearly related to Latin and Ancient Greek
Up until this point, it was assumed that Europe and India were separate spheres that had evolved independently of one another
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Became common knowledge in the 19th century - established theory that a tribe of Indo-European speakers from Cetral Asia migrated, one to Europe, and the other to India
Known as the "Aryans" according to Vedic literature. During the discovery of the Indus River Valley civilisation, it was believed they destroyed it
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Characteristics
Economy
Ganges river becomes incredibly important. Lusher than the Indus River Valley, independently develops rice cultivation. Carries trade and becomes a sacred river
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By 800 BCE, ironworking is widespread, which makes clearing forests easier, expanded use of ploughs
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Vedas
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From 900 - 500 BCE, each veda gets a set of commentaries (Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads)
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Describe society in indirect ways. Not a literal history but more mythical and religious.
Linguistic analysis allows for dating.
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Society
Earlier vedic works pre 1000 BCE suggest a socially mobile society. However this decreases over time
10th section of the Rig Veda describes the dismemberment of the primeval man into four parts: the Brahmin, Rajanyas/Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras
System of varna later adopted as a social division, determined by what role people played in rituals.
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Later vedic literature suggests less freedom for women, with stricter marriage rituals and stronger patriarchal emphasis
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Religion
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Close relative of Zoroastrianism in Iran. Most important rituals involve fire and soma consumption (a hallucinogenic drink)
Key gods were Agni (fire) and Soma. Indra (Zeus) was king of the gods. Other gods has specific aspects, eg Kama (love) and Surya (sun)
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Rudra was the original name of Shiva. Malevolent being, clothed in skins that was more feared than worshipped. Perhaps a pre-Vedic god brought into the Pantheon
Purusa-Sukta in the Rig Veda matches with the Indo-European motif of a sacrifice by the gods to create the world
Upanishads spoke of a monist god, the Godhead or Absolute Truth. However Aryan society had a multitude of lesser gods representing natural forces
Upanishads mark the culmination of an evolution from pantheistic nature gods to all-encompassing cosmic reality and the individual's role
Humans had to pray and propitiate the gods who represented natural forces to keep the rta (cosmic order) in balance