Religious Revolution in Post-Vedic Period [6th century BCE to 4th century BCE] : –
During the Post Vedic Age in 6th Century BCE, two important things happened :
i. Political Unrest.
ii. Religious Revolution.
Due to these events various religions like Buddhism, Jainism, etc. were born and grew up. These era of religious uprise in the Post-Vedic Period is known as the Period of Second Urbanisation or the Age of Buddha.
Religious Revolution in Post-Vedic Age [6th Century BCE to 4th Century BCE]
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I. A summary on Political Unrest during 6th Century BCE :
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During 6th century BCE, various problems started and various political unrest started. The area (Indian subcontinent) was divided into 16 Mahajanapadas and there was a hustle between them to expand their empire and administration. Greediness for empires grew in the Rajanas i.e. The Kings of the Mahajanapadas.
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Their main target now became to increase their administrative power and their empires by annexing neighbouring empires. Till 6th century BCE, there was nothing like Bharat; these were 16 Mahajanapadas who fought among themselves for power.
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According to area, the biggest Mahajanapada was Avanti i.e. presently Ujjain.
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According to strength, the strongest Mahajanapada was Magadha. The reason for it being the strongest was its geographical region. It was situated between two rivers – Ganga and Yamuna. Also above this region, there were Himalayan Ranges. Apart from that there was Arabian Sea on the West and Bay of Bengal on the East and Indian Ocean in the South.
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But the main reason for Magadha empire to be the strongest was its wealth. As this area was between Ganga and Yamuna, hence cultivation was very good and simultaneously for this reason, they had lots of wealth with which they could make and buy more weapons. Also they had lots of elephants and horses in their fleet.
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II. Religious Revolution :
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By 6th century BCE, caste system became highly complicated. Lower caste people faced all socio-economic problems while higher caste people led a safe and dignified life. Also the Kshatriyas too started to feel less dignified as they led the Mahajanapadas through wars, administrated the states but they were not given the highest status which was for the Brahmins.
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So a religious revolution started and along with this new religions started to evolve. And also people started to move towards them. Specially the lower caste people were ready to move to some other religion where they were not discriminated. New religions like Buddhism, Jainism and other religions like Ajiuikajism emerged. there was a total of almost 62 religion which emerged during this time. They acted as an alternative to the present caste system and simultaneously many people started following these new religions where they could lead a life with dignity.
600 BCE is also called the Age of Transformation.
SSC RRB Notes 