Periods in Pre-Classical India Ancient Harrapan CivilizationAncient Harrapan Civilization The Vedic AgeThe Vedic Age The Epic AgeThe Epic Age

Harappa & Mohenjo Daro A prosperous river valley civilization emerged along the Indus River by 2500 BCE, of which the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were a part.A prosperous river valley civilization emerged along the Indus River by 2500 BCE, of which the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were a part. Indus River peoples had trading contacts with Mesopotamia, but they developed their own distinctive culture.Indus River peoples had trading contacts with Mesopotamia, but they developed their own distinctive culture. Harappan civilization fell around 1500 BCE, and a new civilization arose in India, brought by nomadic Aryan invaders.Harappan civilization fell around 1500 BCE, and a new civilization arose in India, brought by nomadic Aryan invaders. The Aryans began a new (pre-classical) period, called the Vedic and Epic ages.The Aryans began a new (pre-classical) period, called the Vedic and Epic ages.

The Harappan Civilization 3300 BCE BCE

Citadel Of Mohenjo- Daro

Aerial View of Mohenjo- Daro

Wide View, Mohenjo-Daro

The Great Bath, Mohenjo-Daro

Bath Area, Mohenjo- Daro

Well, Mohenjo-Daro

Granery, Mohenjo-Daro

A Horned-God Seal, Mohenjo-Daro

A Priest-King, Mohenjo-Daro

Drain, Harappa

Bull Figurine, Harappa

Elephant Figurine, Harappa

Male Skeleton, Harappa

Harappan Writing Undecipherable to date.

The Vedic Age 1500 BCE-500 BCE

Aryan Migration

Sanskrit writing

The Vedas  1200 BCE-600 BCE.  written in SANSKRIT.  Hindu core of beliefs:  hymns and poems.  religious prayers.  magical spells.  lists of the gods and goddesses. Rig Veda  oldest work.

The Caste System Most of what we know about the pre-classical period comes from the Vedas (written in Sanskrit).Most of what we know about the pre-classical period comes from the Vedas (written in Sanskrit). The Vedic Age takes its name from the Sanskrit word Veda, which means knowledge.The Vedic Age takes its name from the Sanskrit word Veda, which means knowledge. The Rig-Veda, the first Aryan epic, attributed the rise of the caste system to the gods (The Aryans brought to India a religion of many gods and goddesses that would form the basis of the Hindu religion.The Rig-Veda, the first Aryan epic, attributed the rise of the caste system to the gods (The Aryans brought to India a religion of many gods and goddesses that would form the basis of the Hindu religion. It developed initially as a means of establishing relationships between the Aryan conquerors and the indigenous people, whom the Aryans regarded as inferior.It developed initially as a means of establishing relationships between the Aryan conquerors and the indigenous people, whom the Aryans regarded as inferior.

Varna = Aryan Social Classes Sudras = common laborers Vaishyas = traders/farmers Kshatriyas = Warriors /governing class Pariahs  Untouchables Brahmins = Priestly class

The Caste system Initially, the Kshatriyas (warriors) ranked highest, but during the Epic Age, the brahmins replaced them, signaling the importance of religion in Indian life.Initially, the Kshatriyas (warriors) ranked highest, but during the Epic Age, the brahmins replaced them, signaling the importance of religion in Indian life. The basic castes divided into four groups called varnas, and each varna is divided by smaller subgroups, called jati, each with distinctive occupations.The basic castes divided into four groups called varnas, and each varna is divided by smaller subgroups, called jati, each with distinctive occupations.

The epic age 1000 BCE-600 BCE

The epic age The period is named for its literary developments.The period is named for its literary developments. India’s greatest epic poems, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana were written during the Epic Age.India’s greatest epic poems, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana were written during the Epic Age. Both of these epics reflect a more settled agricultural society and better-organized political units than the Rig-Veda of the Vedic Age.Both of these epics reflect a more settled agricultural society and better-organized political units than the Rig-Veda of the Vedic Age. The Epic Age also witnessed the creation of the Upanishads, epic poems with a more mystical religious tone.The Epic Age also witnessed the creation of the Upanishads, epic poems with a more mystical religious tone.

Works cited Adas, M., Gilbert, M.J., Schwartz, S.B., & Stearns, P.N. (2007). World civilizations: The global experience. (5 th ed.). New York: Pearson Education. Adas, M., Gilbert, M.J., Schwartz, S.B., & Stearns, P.N. (2007). World civilizations: The global experience. (5 th ed.). New York: Pearson Education. Images from Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY, from Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY,