1. Early Civilizations of India

2. Dravidians: people of Southern India who may be descended from the ancient Indus River Valley settlers people of Southern India who may be descended from the ancient Indus River Valley settlers video video video

5. Aryans: more correctly Indo-Aryans Migrated into South Asia from north of Black and Caspian Seas Migrated into South Asia from north of Black and Caspian Seas Linguistic family not a race Linguistic family not a race Nomadic herders Nomadic herders Skillful warriors: iron weapons, archers, chariots Skillful warriors: iron weapons, archers, chariots May have contributed to collapse of Indus Valley Civilization May have contributed to collapse of Indus Valley Civilization City-states ruled by rajah City-states ruled by rajah

6. The Nomadic Indo-Aryans Around 1750 BC  Indo-Aryans appeared Around 1750 BC  Indo-Aryans appeared –Tribes of the Indo-European peoples –Came from north of the Black and Caspian Seas –Crossed the Hindu Kush Mountains into northwest India Drawn into this area due to the rich pasturelands Drawn into this area due to the rich pasturelands –Were sheep and cattle herders as well as skilled warriors The word for war meant “a desire for more cows” The word for war meant “a desire for more cows” Armies of archers and charioteers enabled the Indo- Aryans to conquer all of northern India Armies of archers and charioteers enabled the Indo- Aryans to conquer all of northern India

7. Influenced Indian Culture: Long lasting effects of Indo-Aryans Long lasting effects of Indo-Aryans –village life –Religion –social structure

8. Village Life Farming and herding Farming and herding Value on cattle Value on cattle governing governing

9. Indo-Aryan Societies (Government) Gave up nomadic ways and lived in settlements Gave up nomadic ways and lived in settlements Settlements were joined to form small independent states or territories who were governed by a raja (chief). Settlements were joined to form small independent states or territories who were governed by a raja (chief). Raja Raja –Military leader, lawmaker, and judge –Had a royal council

10. Vedas –oral religious traditions of the Indo- Aryans 4 Vedas: oldest Rig Veda 4 Vedas: oldest Rig Veda Eventually recorded in Sanskrit (written language developed by Indo-Aryans) Eventually recorded in Sanskrit (written language developed by Indo-Aryans) Basis of Hinduism (long lasting effect) Basis of Hinduism (long lasting effect)

11. Varna Sanskrit meaning color – created a complex system of social order Sanskrit meaning color – created a complex system of social order Social structure and classes of the Indo-Aryans Social structure and classes of the Indo-Aryans –Brahmins: priest –Kshatriyas: warriors –Vaisyas: land owners, merchants, herders –Sudras: servants, peasants evolved into caste (long lasting effect) evolved into caste (long lasting effect) –Caste: rigid system of social ranking by birth

12. Indo-Aryan Societies (Social Life) Complex system of social orders Complex system of social orders –Indo-Aryans  nomadic people who were light skinned –Earlier settlers  lived in settled communities and were dark skinned Please remember this for later on!! It will be very important!! Please remember this for later on!! It will be very important!! –Warriors and priests were at the top of the social structure. –Merchants, traders, farmers, and servants were below them. Marriage Marriage –Elaborate rules government marriage among the different orders –Parent-arranged marriage was favored –Marriage by purchase, by capture, and by mutual consent was recognized