Geographical Area
During the later Vedic Period, The Aryan
Settlements covered virtually the whole of Northern India (Aryavarta).
The centre of culture now shifted from
Saraswati to Ganges (Madhyadesa).
There was mention of more rivers such as
Narmada , Sadanira (modern Gandak) , Chambal etc.
The expansion of people towards the east is indicated in a
legend of Satapatha Brahamana – how Videha
Madhava migrated from the
Saraswati region, crossed Sadanira and came to the land of Videha (modern
Tirhut).
Emergence of Janapadas_ Kuru (Combination
of Purus and Bharatas), Panchala
(Combination of Turvashas and Krivis), Kashi etc. in Doab region.
Later Vedic literatures mention Vindhya
mountain (Southern mountain).
Reference to the territorial divisions the
later Vades gives three broad divisions
of India, viz. Aryavarta (Northern India ), Madhya desa (Central India ) and
Dakhinapath (Southern India).