Vedic

adjective (also noun, denoting the early form of Sanskrit in which the Vedas were composed)

/ˈveɪ.dɪk/

Relating to the Vedas, the oldest body of religious literature in India, or to the historical period (c. 1500–600 BCE) in which they were composed.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Any meaningful debate on India's civilisational continuity must reckon with the Vedic corpus, whose hymns and rituals continue to shape the cultural and philosophical undercurrents of contemporary Indian society.

Synonyms

VedanticBrahmanicalscripturalSanskriticancient-Hindu

Antonyms

post-Vedicmodernsecularprofane

🌱 Word Family

Veda (n), Vedas (n pl), Vedanta (n), Vedantin (n), Vedicism (n)

🔡 Root

Sanskrit veda = knowledge, from root vid- = to know; cognate with Latin vidēre; English -ic added 1840s

📜 Etymology

From Sanskrit veda ("knowledge"), derived from the root vid- ("to know"), cognate with Latin vidēre ("to see") and English wit; the English suffix -ic was added in the 1840s.

🧠 Memory Hook

VEDic shares its root with "VID-eo" and "VISion" — both from PIE *weid- "to see/know"; the Vedas are literally the seen and known sacred knowledge.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2024 · GS1 · 10 marks — Ancient India
Mains 2023 · GS1 · 15 marks — Ancient India

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Vedic” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Vedic Period (c. 1500–600 BCE)

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