Indo Aryan Migrants Objectives: Explain how life in northern India changed with the coming of the Indo-Aryans. Identify the major contributions of the Indo-Aryans to ancient Indian society.

The Nomadic Indo-Aryans Indo-European people began to cross the Hindu Kush Mountains into northwestern India. Came from the North of the Balck and Caspian Seas. Indo-Aryan

The Vedic Age Indo-Aryan word for war meant “a desire for more cows” Archers, warriors and charioteers ebnabled the Indo-aryan to conquer all of the North India. The Vedas Indo-Aryan developed writing recorded the Vedas in Sanskrit. (Indo-Aryan language) The Vedic Age

Indo-Aryan Religion Earth, fire, light, rain, sky, storms, sun and water were personified as gods. The sky becae the father and the earth the mother. One supreme god, who created order to the universe. Varuna, cosmic order, who lived in a great palace in the sky, who judge and punished sin.

No temples in the Vedic Religion. Foods such as: meat, butter, milk and barley cakes were offered were offered as rituals sacrifices. The juice of the soma plant was poured into the sacred fire as a special offering. The plant’s juice was thought to be inmortal drink. Rituals became difficult and complicated. Special priests called Brahmins knew proper forms and rules. Sanskrit became the language used by priests in their rituals.

Indo Aryan Society Settled in villages, herd animals, planted crops. Form small independant states each of which was governed by a raja. Raja: military leader, lawmaker, judge, governor, ruler. A royal council assisted him. Marrige was an important institution and rules governed. Parents usually arranged marriage but marriage for love were also recognized. Emphasized the value of sacrificing.

Indo-Aryan Economy Irrigation Used Rice, sugarcane, leafy vegetables, gourds, peas, beans and lentils. Trade one another. Poor transportation made trade difficult Bartered Sanskrit spread over India

Southern India The Southern part was protected from invasion from the north by mountains. The rugged, forest covered Vindhya Range separates the south from the Indo Gangetic Plain. The hilly landscape made unification difficult. Divided into diverse social groups

Reading Check Summarizing. What were the major contributions of the Indo Aryans to ancient Indian Society?

Section 2 Review Indo Aryan Migrants

1.DEFINE AND IDENTIFY Raja: Indo-Arayans: Vedas: Sanskirit: Vedic Age: Brahmins:

2. ANALYZING INFORMATION THE NATURAL WORLD

4.FINDING THE MAIN IDEA How did the early Indo-Aryans’ nomadic lifestyle help them to win control of northern India? Why might the Indo-Aryans have created strict rules govering marriage among the different social orders?