1. The Indo-Europeans Indo-Europeans were nomadic
Moved around to find food/water for their animals and themselves
Tamed horses – form of transportation – can be used to move people or goods
Built chariots – mastered horseback riding – useful for the battlefield
Came from the Steppes – dry grasslands to the north of the Caucus Mountains (Northern Turkey and Iran)
B.C. – Indo-Europeans Began migrating to different areas

3. Hinduism

4. What is Hinduism?
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that started in India.
Aryans brought the earliest version of it when they came to India – Indo Europeans from Central Asia
Forced the Harappa out of Mohenjo Daro, etc.
Sacred Texts: Vedas, Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita
There is no single founder of the religion.
Hindu beliefs are a Combination of Indus Valley/Aryan beliefs

5. Hindu Gods
Polytheistic: Hindus believe in many gods; Can take both human and animal forms
Literally thousands of them – at least 2,000 to 3,000 of them
Come from a blend of Indus/Aryan belief
Brahma - the Creator
Vishnu - the Preserver
Shiva - the Destroyer

6. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

7. Hastas/Mudras – Hand signs and poses

8. “Dance” Quick Write What does Shiva’s dance symbolize?
What images/colors are used in the background?
What does the dancer use throughout the routine?

9. Main Beliefs of Hinduism
Reincarnation: Souls are reborn into another form after death. Reincarnation is determined by the actions people took in life
Bad deeds – bad next life
Good deeds – better next life
Ahimsa: Principle of nonviolence. Hindus believe that All things are part of one great soul called Brahman – all should be respected

10. Sacred Animals / Rivers:
Cows, elephants and other animals are viewed as sacred
These animals are used by the gods or represent them
The Ganges River is sacred river to Hindus
Has the power to purify sins

11. Main Beliefs of Hinduism
Karma: All the actions of a person's life that affects his or her fate in the next life
People who earn a good karma are reborn at a higher level of existence/higher class
Dharma: The duties of an individual. The duties change depending on the person’s class.
Obeying one’s dharma also means better karma/more chances for a better next life
A person is born into a caste. It is believed that how you lived in a previous life will determine which caste you are born into.
The belief in Samsara (reincarnation is what created the Caste System). The castes divide themselves into lifelong social positions.
Samsara
If you have been a good person you are rewarded by being born into a higher caste. The person who has been evil is punished by have to their life a part of a lower caste.

12. How does the caste system influence Hindu beliefs?
Caste System = Class system the Aryans brought when they came to India
People are born into classes - cannot change while alive
If you get good karma during your life, Hindus can be reincarnated into a higher caste after death

13. The Untouchables Lowest group in India that was considered impure
Have the dirtiest jobs – people will walk around untouchables – can tell if someone is such by a circle of space around them and their face is covered
Have been reforms of sorts – officially this designation has been abolished but there are still companies/stores that prohibit individuals descending from the untouchables from getting jobs and such

14. ASSIGNMENT Instructions Pt. 1: Name: Date: Period: 1.
Write the Caste name for each step of the pyramid
Write the definition for each caste under the name
Use page 64 to complete the pyramid (Has a human for a diagram) 2. 3. 4.
(FRONT)
5. The Untouchables
India’s lowest caste. They had the dirtiest jobs and were treated with little to no respect

15. ASSIGNMENT Instructions Pt. 2: Name: Date: Period: 1.2.
Instructions Pt. 2:
Rewrite the caste names on the pyramid
Read “The Aryans and the Caste System” Handout
Look over the “Caste System Cutout” Paper
Cutout the statements and put them in or near the caste they belong in 3. 4.
(BACK)
5. The Untouchables
This caste was not allowed to enter temples or schools

18. Bubble Map
Text Tree
Idea Wheel

20. Class Set for Do-Nows: Write the answers to the questions on a separate sheet of paper!!!