The Aryans and the Vedic Age

Decline of the Indus River Valley civilizations

Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were the largest cities Civilizations participated in long-distance trade Possible causes:
Monsoons destroyed irrigation and farming prospects Invasions Long distance trade collapsed

Aryans
Root of the word is arya meaning noble or pure Spoke an early form of Sanskrit
This Indo-European language is closely related to Persian, Latin, Greek and modern Romance languages
Nazis glorified Aryans as a superior race because they were credited with this important language development

Aryans
Where did they come from?
Most scholars argue that the Aryans descended upon North India through the Hindu Kush around 1500 BC Some scholars now think that they arrived much earlier, and perhaps descended from the Harappan

Aryans and Vedas

Vedas
A collection, in multiple volumes, of hymns, rituals, and philosophies The vedas include stories that attempt to explain how the world was created, who the gods are, etc. Thought to be the earliest written texts

Aryans and Vedas

Rig Veda
The earliest Veda Originally was recited orally and passed down generation to generation Children began learning the Rig Veda at an early age, would learn to chant each syllable in perfect order

Aryans and Vedas

Portrays Aryans as fierce warriors with military skill Aryans did not spread through India quickly, did not carry out well organized military campaigns Aryans were a collection of tribes who gradually, over generations of warring with each other came to power in North India

Aryans and Social Order

Each tribe was headed by a raja, or chief Priests were next in importance
They learned complicated rituals Rituals typically focused on honoring or appeasing the gods

Aryans and Social Order

Warrior class Farmers Non-Aryans made up the lowest class
They were not slaves They were only allowed to perform the most menial tasks

Early Indian Society

1000-500 BC Tribal rajas were no longer necessary because tribal life was in decline Kings controlled large pieces of territory The Aryan-influenced areas extended all the way to the Ganges River

Caste System
The system of dividing society into hereditary groups that limited interaction with each other, especially marriage between castes The hierarchical strata into which Indian society was divided is called varna

Caste System
Brahmans (priests) Kshatriya (warriors and officials) Vaishya (merchants and artisans) Shudra (peasants and laborers) Dalit, or untouchables outside the caste system

Caste System
Brahman
Aryan priests who supported the growth of royal power The only caste that was permitted to perform important, sacred, daily religious rituals

Caste System
Untouchables
Were not permitted to participate in or be near religious rituals It is believed that people ended up in this caste as a result of bad karma that accumulated in previous lifetimes Perform(ed) the most menial jobs