The Aryans and the Vedic Age

1. The Aryans and the Vedic Age

2. 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 Decline of the Indus River Valley civilizations

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Caste System Brahmans (priests) Kshatriya (warriors and officials) Vaishya (merchants and artisans) Shudra (peasants and laborers) Dalit, or untouchables � outside the caste system Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are usually the upper classes and have the means to pay for these rituals and services. It�s not like going to church every Sunday, there�s a lot of festivals throughout the year and if they can pay for these rituals, that is very good. The shudras cannot really afford to pay for these rituals but they can attend them. It�s not as purifying as paying for them, but it is a way to purify yourself. So paying for the rituals is better karma than simply attending the ritual.Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are usually the upper classes and have the means to pay for these rituals and services. It�s not like going to church every Sunday, there�s a lot of festivals throughout the year and if they can pay for these rituals, that is very good. The shudras cannot really afford to pay for these rituals but they can attend them. It�s not as purifying as paying for them, but it is a way to purify yourself. So paying for the rituals is better karma than simply attending the ritual.

13. 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 Most powerful, they�re the only ones that can perform these rituals.Most powerful, they�re the only ones that can perform these rituals.