The period when the vedas were composed.

Ramayana & Mahabharata were written in this period.

Vedic civilization or Aryan Civilization, was centered around the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

The foundation of Hinduism.

Aryans were Nomads who came from Central Asia.

They raised livestock, rode chariots and loved to gamble.

They were skilled in philosophy, science, secular arts and fine arts.

the golden age of Hinduism and classical Sanskrit literature, the Maurya Empire.

This period followed the Monarchy system. The king had the absolute power.

4th Century B.C., the northern India had only four major states- the three kingdoms

Taxila, the capital of Gandhara, was an important center where both Vedic and Indian learning mingled.

Trade between North West India and West Asia was strengthened by the route made by Alexander from Greece through Iran to India.

Society was strictly organized in a system of varna (occupation).

Cattle and cows were held in high esteem and frequently appear in Rigvedic hymns.

Agriculture was prominent.

Families were patrilineal, and people prayed for abundance of sons.

No major difference between men and women.

Unstitched garments were used

Women wore a patka, a decorative strip made from cloth, woven bamboo fibre, leather, woolen fringes, or plaited strips of cotton, tucked in the antariya at centre front or tied at the waist in artistic knots and elaborate folds, displaying the border.

The kachcha style is a general term which indicates the wearing of antariya between the legs forming a trouser like garment.

There is mention in post-Vedic literature, of a cut .and sewn garment called the atka which was a hip or calf length garment: like a kurta or tunic worn by men and women

Drapi was a close-fitting gold embroidered vest used by gallant men and women.

Nivi was referred to women’s lower garment with ornamental tasseled border and to the knot that held garment in place. One or two strips of specifically made cloth was drawn across or crosswise over the bust and tied at the back to serve as bodice.

A special white or flame colored dress was used by the bride at the time of marriage known as vadhuya.

Clothes were generally made of cotton, wool, flax, hemp, animal skin and grass (kusa). Garments made of dark cotton and wool were most common and kusa garments were used for ceremonial purpose.

Women used to dye their fingertips and toes tips with crimson juice of lac.

Aryans were fond of bathing and washing, and both rich and poor made it a part of their daily ritual.

Combs were used. Razor(Ksura) used to remove hairs.

Urna sutra (wool thread) has been mentioned in Samhitas.

Vedic comman rituals was silk. It had borders, fringes and ornamental embroidery.

Dyeing of textiles was in practice. Natural dyes made from extract of flowers, madder or indigo was used.

Ornaments made of

In their hair, women wore fillet (opasa) and sraj, a garland of flowers, or gold garlands called hiranyasraj.

Two types of necklace

Earrings were known as kundalas (ear drops) or trikarnas (3 circular rings joined together).

Bahu or gold armlets, bracelets (parihasta) and ivory bangles (hasti) were also worn.

Rings of gold and girdles were used.

Men used to wear their hair both long and short

Women hairstyles

Shoes were worn during rituals, by soldiers and among the wealthy.

Dyed leather shoes and boots of many colours like red, yellow, black and magenta, with thick soles, or padded with cotton wool.

Gold and sliver shoes were known to be decorated with jewels.

The poor wore a type of footwear which resembled sandals, made from straw or palm leaves and bamboo.