AryansAryans►Origins Origins unknown unknown

Little archaeological recordsLittle archaeological records►Source of KnowledgeSource of Knowledge

VedasVedas sacred literature sacred literature►Based on oral traditions Based on oral traditions (1500 BCE)(1500 BCE)►4 collections4 collections

Prayers, magic spells & ritualsPrayers, magic spells & rituals►Most important Most important Rig Veda Rig Veda

1028 hymns to Aryan gods1028 hymns to Aryan gods

AryansAryans► Invaded Invaded

subcontinent subcontinent 1500 to 250 BCE1500 to 250 BCE

► ConqueredConquered Regions:Regions:

► Indus ValleyIndus Valley►Ganges Valley Ganges Valley

People? People? ►DasasDasas

Aryans V. DasasAryans V. DasasPeoplePeople Aryans Aryans Dasas Dasas Physical Physical Appearance Appearance

Taller & lighter Taller & lighter skin colorskin color

Shorter & Shorter & Darker Darker

Language Language Indo EuropeanIndo EuropeanNot writtenNot written

Written Written

Lifestyles Lifestyles Pastoral Pastoral Wealth = cows Wealth = cows

Farmers, town Farmers, town dwellers dwellers (walls) (walls)

godsgods Indra, Agni Indra, Agni Shiva, mother Shiva, mother goddesses goddesses

AryansAryans►Society was organized into 4 groups Society was organized into 4 groups

Your group determined role in societyYour group determined role in society►Applied their social order to the localsApplied their social order to the locals

Where do you think they placed the Where do you think they placed the locals?locals?

►Over time it evolved & more complexOver time it evolved & more complex►Caste SystemCaste System

Caste SystemCaste System► 1) Brahmin 1) Brahmin ___________ ___________

priestpriest► 2) Kshatriya 2) Kshatriya __________ __________

rulers, warriors & noblesrulers, warriors & nobles► 3) Vaishya 3) Vaishya ___________ ___________

traders, farmers & artisans traders, farmers & artisans ► 4) Shudra 4) Shudra ____________ ____________

laborers & servants laborers & servants ► 5) Dalit 5) Dalit

aka Untouchables aka Untouchables impure jobs impure jobs►butchers, gravediggers & garbage collectors butchers, gravediggers & garbage collectors

Caste SystemCaste System

►Purusha Purusha 11stst human human

Caste SystemCaste System►Cleanliness & purity very important Cleanliness & purity very important ►Born into it Born into it ►Determined:Determined:

Work/jobWork/job MarryMarry Associate w/Associate w/

►No Social MobilityNo Social Mobility