The Vedic period encompasses the era of Indo-Aryan settlement in the subcontinent, the composition of the Vedas, and the emergence of the Janapadas — the precursor tribal kingdoms from which classical Indian civilization grew.
The Vedic Period concluded around 500 BCE as the composition of primary Vedic texts gave way to Upanishadic philosophy, the emergence of the Mahajanapadas as territorial states, and the rise of Buddhism and Jainism as distinct movements.
The atlas holds 2 border frames for Vedic Period — the shape you scrub through changes in 1500 BC · 1100 BC.
Irfan Habib's concise scholarly survey of Vedic-age society, economy, and culture in the People's History of India series.
Authoritative modern history covering the Vedic through early medieval periods with critical historiographic perspective.