This page covers the Vedic Era and the Mahajanapadas for OAS prelims. It includes the Early and Later Vedic periods, Vedic literature, society, economy, religion, political institutions, the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the rise of Magadha, and Alexander's invasion.
Early Vedic Period (1500 BC – 1000 BC)
Polity and Society
- Tribal assemblies: Sabha, Samiti, Vidatha, Gana.
- King was the head, assisted by priests and officials.
- Society was patriarchal, but women had some rights.
- Cattle was the main wealth.
- No iron, used copper and bronze.
Economy
- Pastoral and hunting, agriculture started.
- No coinage, barter system.
- Rivers: Sapta Sindhu region.
Religion
- Nature worship, gods like Indra, Agni, Varuna.
- No idols, sacrifices were important.
- Gayatri Mantra composed by Vishwamitra.
Later Vedic Period (1000 BC – 600 BC)
Changes in Polity
- King became more powerful, hereditary.
- Assemblies declined.
- Larger kingdoms, Ashvamedha and Rajasuya sacrifices.
Society
- Varna system became rigid, four varnas.
- Women's status declined.
- Gotra system emerged.
Economy
- Agriculture became primary, iron ploughshare.
- Trade and commerce grew, Nishka as coin.
- Crafts and professions.
Religion
- Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh became prominent.
- Upanishads emphasized philosophy.
- Sacrifices became elaborate.
Vedic Literature
Vedas
- Rigveda: oldest, 1028 hymns, 10 mandalas.
- Samaveda: music, 1549 verses.
- Yajurveda: rituals.
- Atharvaveda: charms, spells, medicine.
Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
- Aitareya (Rigveda), Gopatha (Atharvaveda), Shatapatha (Yajurveda), Panchavimsha (Samaveda).
- Aranyakas: forest texts.
- Upanishads: philosophical, e.g., Kathopanishad (Nachiketa), Chhandogya (Satyakam Jabal), Mundaka (Satyamev Jayate).
Vedangas
- Six Vedangas: Siksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chhanda, Jyotisha.
- Panini wrote Ashtadhyayi.
Mahajanapadas
The 16 Mahajanapadas
List from Anguttara Nikaya. The sixteen Mahajanapadas with their capitals:
| Mahajanapada | Capital |
|---|---|
| Anga | Champa |
| Magadha | Rajgriha (later Pataliputra) |
| Kasi | Varanasi |
| Kosala | Shravasti |
| Vajji | Vaishali |
| Malla | Kusinara |
| Chedi | Suktimati |
| Vatsa | Kaushambi |
| Kuru | Indraprastha |
| Panchala | Ahichatra |
| Matsya | Viratnagar |
| Surasena | Mathura |
| Assaka | Potan |
| Avanti | Ujjain |
| Gandhara | Taxila |
| Kamboja | Rajapura |
Rise of Magadha
- Advantages: geography, iron, elephants, agriculture.
- Haryanka dynasty: Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Udayin.
- Shift of capital from Rajgriha to Pataliputra.
- Nanda dynasty: Mahapadma Nanda, Dhana Nanda.
- Alexander's invasion (326 BC) and his retreat.
Republics
- Vaishali as first republic (Licchavi).
- Other republics: Malla, Vajji.
Odisha Angle
Odisha was not part of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. The region was known as Kalinga and was a separate kingdom. It is mentioned in later Vedic and post-Vedic texts. OAS aspirants should remember that Kalinga was not a Mahajanapada but an independent kingdom.
Practice Questions
Which one of the following is oldest Veda?
- Yajurveda
- Rigveda
- Samaveda
- Atharvaveda
Show answer
(b) - Rigveda is the oldest Veda. UK UDA/LDA (Pre) 2007
The word Gotra occurs for the first time in:
- Atharvaveda
- Rigveda
- Samaveda
- Yajurveda
Show answer
(b) - Gotra is first mentioned in Rigveda. UPPSC (Mains) 2005
Who composed the Gayatri Mantra?
- Vasishtha
- Vishwamitra
- Indra
- Parikshit
Show answer
(b) - Vishwamitra composed the Gayatri Mantra. UKPSC (Pre) 2006
The famous battle of 'Ten Kings' as described in the Rigveda was fought on the bank of:
- Parushni
- Sarasvati
- Vipasa
- Asikni
Show answer
(a) - The Dasarajna was fought on the Parushni river. UPPSC (Mains) 2008
Which was the first capital of Magadha?
- Pataliputra
- Vaishali
- Girivarja (Rajgriha)
- Champa
Show answer
(c) - Rajgriha was the first capital of Magadha. BPSC 2004
Who founded Pataliputra?
- Udayin
- Ashoka
- Bimbisara
- Mahapadmananda
Show answer
(a) - Udayin founded Pataliputra. BPSC 2008
Alexander invaded India in:
- 326 BC
- 326 BC
- 232 BC
- 323 AD
Show answer
(a) - Alexander invaded India in 326 BC. UPPSC 2006
Which of the following is not correctly matched?
- Anga – Champa
- Kosala – Ahichatra
- Vatsa – Kaushambi
- Matsya – Viratnagar
Show answer
(b) - Kosala's capital was Shravasti, not Ahichatra. UPRO/ARO (Mains) 2017
The list of sixteen Mahajanapadas is available in:
- Mahabharat
- Anguttar Nikaya
- Chhandogya Upanishad
- Samyukta Nikaya
Show answer
(b) - Anguttara Nikaya lists the 16 Mahajanapadas. BPSC 2004
Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?
- Lopamudra
- Gargi
- Leelavati
- Savitri
Show answer
(a) - Lopamudra was a Brahmavadini who composed Vedic hymns. IAS (Pre) 1995