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