Page 1 - Class 6 Chapter 7 - Lesson Notes (1st subtopic)
P. 1

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                                                  SESSION - 2025-26
                                                   STD VI- HISTORY
                                             CH-7 India’s Cultural Roots
                                                         NOTES


               Sub topic 1- (The Vedas and Vedic Culture)


               What Are the Vedas
               1- “Veda” comes from the Sanskrit word “vid” meaning knowledge. It is also the

               root word for “Vidya”.
               2- There are four Vedas in total: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda and Yajur
               Veda, with Rig Veda being the oldest.

               3- The Vedas contain hymns addressed to multiple gods and goddesses like Indra,

               Agni, Surya, Usha, etc.
                                                              th
                                                                    nd
               4- The Vedas were composed between 5  to 2  millennium BCE.
               5- Each of the Vedas contain thousands of Sanskrit hymns which were recited
               orally and remembered, then passed on verbally.
               6- These Sanskrit hymns were composed by rishis and rishikas, who considered all

               the gods and goddesses as one, invoked through different names.


               Vedic Society
               1- Early vedic society was divided into different “janas” or clans, meaning large
               groups of people with a common lineage.

               2- The Rig Veda mentions some of the janas like Bharatas, Purus, Kurus, Yadavas,
               etc.

               3- Not much is known about how these janas governed themselves.
               4- The Vedas mention a few words like “raja”, “sabha” and “samiti”, through

               which we form a theory about their ruling style.
               5- There was probably a king, who was more like a leader of the clan. He was

               assisted by councils of ministers, known as sabhas and samitis.
               6- Many professions are mentioned in the Vedas, like agriculturist, weaver,
               potter, builder, healers (probably ancient doctors), dancers, priests, etc.


               Vedic Schools of Thought

               1- Vedic culture developed many rituals directed towards various deities for
               individual or collective benefit and wellbeing.
   1   2