Social Studies – Ancient India Friday,

Harappa and Mohenjo-daro The Great Bath was in the town’s center / ritual bathing = religious life. Writing is indecipherable Weapons – mostly hunting, not fighting Laws & plans for social life, health issues, and education.

Harappa and Mohenjo-daro Religious, but no temples found Elements of “religion” – Trees / worship – Animals = sacred symbols & sacrifices

Jobs in the Indus River Valley Jobs in Harappa and Mohenjo-daro included: – Merchants – Farmers – Hunters – Fishermen – Craftspeople – Metalworkers – Potters

Trade Key Places and Partners – Oman: India gave them grain, livestock, butter, honey, and fruit in exchange for copper, shell, dates, incense, mother-of-pearl – Mesopotamia: India gave them carnelian beads, shell bangles, ivory, and lapis lazuli in exchange for wool, incense, and gold – Persia and China, too!

Debatable Theories Who were the Aryans & what effect did they have on ancient India? The topic is hotly debated – many controversies - historians & others debate Aryan theories even today.

Theory 1: Aryan Invasion Theory Outsiders moved into the Indus River Valley around 1500 BC. MAYBE from Central Europe, maybe around the Black Sea. Spoke an Indo-European language and were lighter skinned Aryans, meaning “noble” in Sanskrit.

Theory 1: Aryan Invasion Theory Aryans took charge & dominated the religion, language, and social aspects. Their contributions replaced local traditions. Some language connections to Europe seem to support this theory.

Theory 1: Aryan Invasion Theory Summarize the Aryan Invasion Theory in your own words using three points ONLY. Based on this information, why do you think this theory is controversial & upsets some people?

Theory 1: Aryan Invasion Theory This theory is controversial because it: – Suggests that the native Indian people could not have created the civilization that formed. – Seems to say that all “good ideas” that came about came from the lighter-skinned outsiders. – Evidence is lacking.

Theory 2: Gradual Migration Theory Instead of an “invasion,” a “migration” really took place. While maybe the people did come from Central Europe, they entered gradually.

Theory 2: Gradual Migration Theory Outsiders blended their ideas with those already living in the Indus River Valley. If true, then important literary & religious writing are the result of a slow combination of traditions. In this way, the origins of Hinduism are native to India.

Theory 2: Gradual Migration Theory Summarize the Gradual Migration Theory in your own words using TWO points. Based on this information, why do you think this theory is controversial and upsets some people?