It was the emergence of agriculture that marked the very beginning of the transition from the early vedic age to the later Vedic period. Agriculture made its presence felt, as there was a harp decline in the traditional occulation of cattle rearing was witnessed. dominant economic activity and a corresponding decline in the significance of cattle rearing. A number of changes came hand in hand with this colossal growth in agriculture. A number of kingdoms arose as an obvious outcome with the increasing importance of land and long distance trade.

Economy
Economy of the civilization is always dependant upon the following categories

Agriculture: From the literature of this period it can be known that agriculture was more developed than in the Rigvedic period. Six or twelve oxen were used in ploughing and proper manure was used in agriculture. The cereals and pulses mentioned are barley, rice, sesamum, masa, sugarcane, mudga and lentils. Many cultivated and wild varieties of rice are mentioned in the Yajurveda.

Crafts and Industries: Plates and ornaments of silver were made in this period. The use of iron revolutionized the processes of cultivation and resulted in surplus food production, which led to the growth of many towns. During this period articles of tin and lead were also made in a huge manner.

Carpenters also made ships with two oars. This means that carpenters craft was well developed during this period.

In this period besides woolens, cloth was also made with linen and hemp but there is no reference to cotton clothes at that time.

Architecture was also developed during this period as referred to an altar resembling the shape of a bird. 10,800 bricks were used in making such an altar.

There are also references of some other crafts in the literature of this period and these can be mentioned as followed making of bows, liquor, baskets, ropes, dyeing, sewing and mat making etc.

Trade and commerce: The Traders sold their articles by barter system in his period. They dealt in cloth, bed covers, skin of goats etc. They were afraid of wild animals and robbers. There were some traders who also lent money to other traders. Indian traders also went to foreign countries such as Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Imperialism
The texts of this period refer to kings who aspired to be emperors. The words used for these kings are Rajadhiraja, Samrat and Ekarat. After completing their conquests they performed sacrifices such as Vajapeya Rajasuya or Asvamedha. The texts also mention some of these great kings by name. All of them became emperors by their conquests. For example Bharata king Dusyanta and Sakuntala became emperors after defeating all their enemies. They aspired to be rulers of all territory, the sole single sovereign of the earth up to its limit in the ocean.

Polity
In this period undoubtedly the power of the king increased a good deal. But he could not become an autocrat. The king could be forced out if he did not rule according to the rules laid down in the sacred books for the welfare of the people. The Atharvaveda refers to the king`s election, expulsion, re-election and restoration. Another check on the king was the oaths of loyalty to the law and constitution of the realm. The king was also dependent on his ministers who are called kingmakers in some texts of this period. They are responsible for giving good or bad suggestion to the king.

The Atharvaveda mentions only four kingmakers namely the bard or Suta, the charioteer or Rathakara, the village headman or Gramani and the subordinate rulers or Rajas but other texts mention as many as twelve kingmakers altogether. The increases in the number of ministers also show that the powers of the king had greatly increased during this period. The Sabha and Samiti also exercised some checks on the autocracy of the ruler. It was the duty of the King to attend the Sabha and he had to seek the support of the Samiti to make his position firm on the throne.

Social life: the Vedic age, both Brahmanas and Kshatriyas cultivated learning. The texts of the Later Vedic period mentioned many kings who were masters of knowledge, which they imparted to Brahmana. For example, Janaka of Videha, Ajatasatru of Kasi, Ashvapati of Kaikeya and Pravahanaof Panchala were great scholars. But as a rule Brahmanas were the teachers. During this period women did not take part in religious ceremonies, or political assemblies. The wife took food after the husband had taken his meals. Women have been classed with wine and gambling in the Yajurveda. This shows that their position in society was deteriorating. But even in this period, there are many references to women teachers, possessing high spiritual knowledge and like this

Education: Education was rather redefined during this period. The subjects of study included the four Vedas, Grammar, Mathematics, Mineralogy, Logic, Ethics, Brahma-Vidya, Biology, Military Science, Astronomy, and Medicine.

Religion: The religious spirit underwent a colossal change. The elaboration of sacrificial religion and its ritual led to a growth of priesthood, which now expanded from the Rigvedic seven to seventeen priests