Indian Subcontinent India Pakistan and Bangladesh River Valley Indus and Ganges Farming is possible only in flood plain of rivers Monsoons seasonal winds Dominate Indias climate October May Winter ID: 360500
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Slide1
Ancient and Classical IndiaSlide2
Indian Subcontinent
India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
River Valley
Indus and Ganges
Farming is possible only in flood plain of rivers
Monsoons – seasonal winds
Dominate India’s climate
October – May = Winter
June – September = SummerSlide3
Indus River ValleySlide4
Harappan Planned Cities
Cities were laid out in a grid system
Used earthen walls and levees to keep out flood water
Eventually developed system to raise cities high enough to avoid flooding
Writing system: Harappan Language has not been decipheredSlide5
Harappan City GridSlide6
Aryans
Migration of Indo-European people into Indian subcontinent (1700-1200 BCE)
Aryans crossed over the mountains and into the Indus River Valley
No archaeological record except
Vedas
Collection of prayers, spells ,and rituals
Rig Veda has 1,200 hymns to Aryan Gods
Originally an oral record but eventual they are written Slide7
VedasSlide8
Caste System
Aryan were taller, and had lighter skin color than people native to India
India
Dasas: meaning dark skin
Aryans were divided into three social classes: Priests, warriors, and peasants
Developed a fourth class for non-Aryan Dasas
Varna (skin color) distinguished the four social classes. Groups known as VarnasSlide9
Social Classes (Varnas)
Brahmans
: priests
Kshatriyas
:warriors, rulers
Viasyas
: common people,
merchants
Sudras
: unskilled laborers, servants
Pariahs
: untouchables, slaves Slide10
CASTE SYSTEM
Castes determined by the previous life
C
aste
system is a rigid social system that allows for NO social change
Occupation, marriage, education, even diet is determined by hereditary caste
Promoted social harmony – everyone followed rules of behavior
Pariahs are not part of the system and are called untouchables b/c they are considered
dirty (butchers, gravediggers, trash collectors)Slide11
Hinduism
No
one single Holy Book – many books called the
Upanishads
Achieve liberation from suffering and desire
Achieve perfect understanding: Moksha (MOHKshah)
Cannot be accomplished in one lifetime
Reincarnation – cycle of life and rebirth
Goal: to escape this cycle and be reunited with Brahman
Hindus
believe the universe has been created and destroyed many timesSlide12
Hinduism and Society
Your Karma in this life determines your form in the next life (higher or lower Varna
)
Dharma: the duties of a person according to their Varna
Follow your dharma – achieve good karma
Effects
of Hinduism on Society
~
reinforced social hierarchy
~
promoted high ethical standards
~
respect for all living things
~ promotes a vegetarian diet and honors the sacred cowSlide13