What Books and Burials Tell Us

• One of the Oldest Books

  • The Vedas
    • Rigveda (Oldest, c. 3500 years ago)
    • Sama Veda
    • Yajur Veda
    • Atharva Veda
  • Structure of Rigveda
    • Suktas ("Well-said" hymns)
    • Composed by Rishis (sages)
    • Dedicated to gods (Agni, Indra, Soma)
  • Language and Transmission
    • Written in Vedic Sanskrit
    • Initially recited and heard, not read (Oral tradition)
    • Written down several centuries later

• How Historians Study Rigveda

  • Analysis of Hymns and dialogues (e.g., Vishwamitra and rivers Beas and Sutlej)
  • Cattle, horses, and chariots frequently prayed for
  • Social Differentiation
    • Priests (Brahmins) performing rituals
    • Rojas (Leaders/Rulers) protecting people (no capital cities/palaces yet)
    • Jana or Vis (The general people/community)
    • Dasa / Dasyu (Opponents, later slaves)

• Words to Describe People

  • Based on work, language, region, or community
  • Aryas (composers of hymns) vs. Dasas (non-sacrificers/different speakers)
  • Emergence of inequality and servant classes over time

• Stories in Stone: Burials (Megaliths)

  • Megaliths ("Big stones")
    • Built 3000 years ago (Deccan, South India, North-East, Kashmir)
    • Placed above ground to mark burial sites
  • Common Burial Practices
    • Dead buried with distinctive pots (Black and Red Ware)
    • Tools, weapons of iron, and ornaments of gold/stone
    • Items varied based on the status of the dead person (social differences)

• Inamgaon: A Special Settlement

  • Location
    • On the River Ghod (tributary of Bhima)
    • Occupied between 3600 and 2700 years ago
  • Burial Customs
    • Adults buried straight with head towards the north
    • Vessels with food and water placed in graves
    • House Burials: Houses had courtyards; bodies buried inside the house in cross-legged positions in four-legged clay jars
  • Occupations Traced
    • Seeds found: wheat, barley, rice, pulses, millets
    • Animal bones with cut marks (cattle, sheep, goat, dog, horse, pig, deer, turtle, crab, fish)
    • Evidence of fruits (ber, amla, jamun, dates)

• A Timeline Clue

  • Pyramids of Egypt (about 3000 years ago)
    • Elaborate burials for Pharaohs
    • Use of mummies and vast treasures (gold, food, clothes)
  • Comparison with Indian Megaliths showing diverse global practices of honoring the dead