Answer:
a) Vedic Age:
The Vedic Age, also known as the Vedic Period, spans from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE in ancient India.
Named after the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, composed during this period.
Divided into two phases: the Early Vedic Period characterized by pastoral and nomadic life, and the Later Vedic Period marked by the advent of settled agriculture and the emergence of early states.
b) Chalcolithic Culture:
The Chalcolithic, or Copper Age, represents a transitional period between the Neolithic (Stone Age) and the Bronze Age.
Marked by the use of copper tools and artifacts, but not exclusively – stone tools persisted.
Witnessed the development of settled agricultural communities, leading to the establishment of villages and small towns.
Notable Chalcolithic cultures include the Indus Valley Civilization in the Indian subcontinent and the Vinča culture in Southeast Europe.
c) Inamgaon:
Inamgaon is an archaeological site in Maharashtra, India, associated with the Chalcolithic period.
Excavations at Inamgaon have revealed evidence of an ancient agricultural settlement, with well-planned houses and a complex social structure.
Notable findings include pottery, tools, and artifacts, shedding light on the lifestyle and economic activities of the inhabitants during the Chalcolithic era.
d) Rigveda:
The Rigveda is one of the oldest and most important texts of the Vedic Age, composed in Sanskrit.
It is a collection of hymns dedicated to various deities and natural forces.
Forms the foundation of Vedic literature and is the oldest of the four Vedas.
The hymns in the Rigveda provide insights into the religious, social, and cultural aspects of ancient Indian society during the Vedic period.
