History

Writing was known since 2500 B.C. but manuscripts(books) were found only in 4th century A.D. Before that people used to write on birch bark, palm leaves. Various manuscripts found were ; •Old sanskrit manuscript - They were found all over the country but mainly in South India, Kashmir, Nepal  •Religious Hindu literature - Vedas, the epics(Ramayana, Mahabharata), the Puranas. The epics and Puranas were compiled by around 400 A.D.  •Rig Veda belongs to 1500-1000B.C. whereas Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda, the Upanishads belongs to 1000-500 B.C. Although the epics and Puranas were finally compiled by around 400 A.D. • Vedic Samhitas Rig Veda Samhita - describes the early Vedic age and contain prayers  Sama Veda Samhita - used for singing purpose. Rig Veda prayers were set to tune and this modified collection is called Sama Veda Samhita  YajurVeda Samhita - contains hymns as well as rituals. AtharvaVeda Samhita - contains spells to ward off evil and disease. It contains beli...