The Vedic Period refers to an ancient era in Indian history, approximately from 1500 BCE to 500 BCE, characterized by the composition of the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. This period is marked by the arrival of the Aryans, who migrated into the Indian subcontinent and established a society based on pastoral and agricultural practices. During the Vedic Period, social structures began to form, leading to the development of the varna system, which categorized society into four main groups: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (laborers). The period also saw the emergence of various rituals, philosophies, and early forms of spirituality that laid the foundation for later Hindu beliefs.