What unites us? What divides us? Ancient India What unites us? What divides us?

The Land of India Indian subcontinent Rich River valleys Ganges Indus Mountain ranges in the north Himalayas

India’s Early Civilization Settled in the Indus River Valley around 2500 B.C. and lasted until 2000 B.C. Over 1,000 villages along the Indus River Two major cities: Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Rich soil and trade

The First Cities Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were large, well planned cities 35,000 people Streets like modern city blocks Fortress for protection Indoor bathrooms in the homes Sewers!!! Garbage chutes! Did not have an elaborate writing system, so no records exist to tell us much about their society or government.

Home in Harappa

Religion in Ancient India Hinduism evolved over thousands of years in Ancient India Grew out of traditions and beliefs of many different groups of people Polytheistic religion Hindus have over 30,000 different gods and goddesses

The Aryans Come in After 500 years, the Harappan civilization collapsed after massive floods in the river valley Soon after, the Aryans people came into the region Settled in the north and spread to the south New civilization emerged

Who were the Aryans? Group from central Asia (Indo-Europeans) NOT a racial group (despite what Hitler would have you think) Mostly farmers Raised cattle Prized possession in their culture Wealth was measured by how many cows someone had Excellent warriors

Aryans Bring Change to India Physical features and Aryan culture mixed with local Indian cultures Technology Farming Sanskrit Written language Royalty Raja (prince) ran their own small kingdoms Fought amongst themselves for land and cattle

Society in India Aryans formed social classes or castes in India Caste is a social group someone is born into and cannot change A person’s caste determines almost every aspect of their life Job Marriage Diet Friends

The Brahmans Highest status Priests, teachers, and judges Study the Vedas for 10 years Must avoid contact with dirt, cannot eat meat, cannot use violence (even in self-defense) Must depend on other classes to clean their home and prepare food

The Kshatriyas Warrior caste, below Brahmans Soldiers, generals, and kings Born into royalty Ran the government Most powerful in everyday life, but their decisions could be overruled by the Brahman Could eat meat, but not beef

The Vaisyas Skilled workers Traders, moneylenders, and farmers Raised cattle Responsible for keeping the local economy healthy May have a leadership position in their local village, but could not be royalty, like the Kshatriya

The Sudras Unskilled workers Rural laborers May have worked on a farm but didn’t own it Served the 3 higher ranking castes Worked in their homes May study the Vedas, but may not be able to read

The Untouchables Considered to be outside the caste system Live outside the rest of society Foreigners, lawbreakers, diseased people Jobs considered “too unclean” even for the Sudra to perform Disposing of dead animals Working with the hides of animals Sweepers, washers, or other jobs that may require contact with human sweat, urine or feces Forbidden to enter temples, schools, or use the water wells of other castes Often sleep during day and work at night so the others didn’t have to see them