The Vedic period in India is generally dated to about:

The Vedic period, when the Vedas were composed, is generally dated from about 1500 BCE to 500 BCE (some historians end it at 600 BCE).

Divisions of the Vedic period:

• "Early Vedic" or "Rigvedic" period: about 1500-1000 BCE.
• "Later Vedic" period: about 1000-500 BCE.

Early Vedic period:

• The Rigveda was composed.
• The Vedic people lived in the land of the Indus and its tributaries.
• They were mainly pastoral, with cattle as the main wealth.
• They lived in tribes headed by a chief.
• Assemblies such as the sabha and samiti played an important role.
• Women had a relatively better position; some composed hymns.
• Main gods were Indra, Agni, Varuna and Soma.

Later Vedic period:

• The Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads were composed.
• The Vedic people moved east into the Ganga-Yamuna Doab and the Ganga valley.
• Iron came into use, and agriculture became the main occupation.
• Larger kingdoms (janapadas) emerged, and royal power increased.
• The varna system became more rigid.
• Rituals and sacrifices became elaborate, and the power of priests grew.
• Gods such as Prajapati, Vishnu and Rudra became important.

How the period is dated:

• The dates are based on the language of the Vedas, comparisons with Iranian texts, and archaeological evidence (such as the Painted Grey Ware culture).
• A treaty of about 1380 BCE between the Hittites and the Mitanni (in present-day Turkey and Syria) mentions gods such as Indra, Mitra, Varuna and the Nasatyas, which helps in dating.

Other periods:

• Harappan (mature) civilisation: about 2600-1900 BCE (overall about 3300-1300 BCE).
• Age of the Mahajanapadas and the rise of Buddhism and Jainism: 6th century BCE.

Why not the other options?

• ✗3300-1300 BCE is the overall span of the Harappan civilisation.
• ✗500 BCE to 200 CE covers the Mauryan and post-Mauryan periods.
• ✗Good to know
• ✗200-600 CE covers the Gupta period and its neighbours.