Difference Between Early Vedic Period and Later Vedic Period

 Vedic Age: After the decline of the Harappan civilization, the Aryans entered the Sapta Sindhu (north-west India) region. They spoke a language that belonged to the Indo-European family of languages. Based on linguistic evidence, Aryans are believed to be the natives of Central Asia. We get to know about this age from the Vedas.Therefore, this period is called Vedic Age, which falls between 1500 BCE and 600 BCE. 

The Vedic period is divided into two:

• Early Vedic Period(the period when Rigveda was composed)
• Later Vedic Period (the period when Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas were composed)

Early Vedic Period :

• Sapta Sindhu region.
• Pastoral economy.
• Semi nomads.
• Comparatively higher social status for women.
• The forest was cleared and burned for cultivation.
• The society consisted of many tribes.
• The yagas(sacrifices) were simple and could be done by the head of the family.
• Natural forces were worshipped.

Later Vedic Period:

• Extended up to the Gangetic plain.
• Agriculture was given importance.
• Settled life.
• The social status of women declined.
• Use of iron.
• The varna syatem became stronger.
• The yagas(sacrifices) became complicated and expensive. The yagas (sacrifices) became the privilege of a particular section.
• New deities came to be worshipped.
• Beginning of various crafts.