ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the main features of Indus civilization to get a sense of Indian thought and culture before the Vedic views came to prevail. It focuses on the Vedas, attempting to identify the central features of the Vedic vision of life. Revealing sophisticated understandings of human nature and penetrating insights into the powers by which life is transformed, joyous songs are a remarkable testament of human wisdom. They were also integral to the practice of a large set of religious rituals, some of which are still performed by Hindus today. The archaeological reconstruction strongly suggests that the culture of Indus civilization contributed much to the later development of Indian tradition. Details of encounters and relationships between the Indus people and Vedic people are not known, but granted the extent and accomplishments of Indus civilization; it is probably safe to assume that these people influenced the developing Vedic culture considerably.
