Vishnu stambham at Kutub Minar

 In general, archaeologists and historians establish timelines for the Copper Age (4000 BCE), Bronze Age (3300 BCE), and Iron Age (1500 BCE) based on the presence of these metals in archaeological sites. However, these timelines can vary depending on archaeological discoveries from different civilizations. Consequently, there is an argument that the Vedas may not date back beyond 1500 BCE due to references to iron found within them. In the Yajurveda / Taittiriya Samhita (4.7.5), various metals are mentioned, including gold (Hiranyam), copper (Ayas), lead (Sisam), tin (Trapu), bronze (Shyamam), and iron (Loham). Additionally, there are numerous references to silver (Rajatam). This suggests that ancient Indians were aware of gold, silver, copper, lead, tin, bronze, and iron during the Rigvedic era. It is important to note that Ayas specifically refers to copper, not iron, as the Taittiriya Samhita distinguishes between Ayas and Loham as separate metals. Similarly, Krishnayas or Shyama refers to bronze, not iron, as the Taittiriya Samhita also differentiates between Shyama and Loha as distinct metals. Since the Vedas do mention iron, archaeologists deduce that they must have been composed during the Iron Age.

Vedic literary evidence suggests that iron was already known during the Vedic period. However, the timelines proposed by archaeologists for the Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages are based on the ridiculous assumption that the absence of archaeological evidence is evidence of absence. In reality, ancient Indians were aware of iron during the Vedic era, but they may have preferred to use copper and bronze due to iron's tendency to rust in damp air and its perceived impurity. Over time, Indians mastered the technique of producing Wootz steel after the Mahabharata era. This explains why bows and arrows were more commonly used in warfare until that time. Once Indians discovered the technique for making Wootz steel, the use of iron expanded, leading to the production and use of swords in warfare.

Vedveer arya Mentor