Ancient and Classical India

1
Ancient and Classical India

• World History
• Ms. Sisino

2
Early Society in South Asia

• Indus Valley Civilization centered around twin
  fortified cities Harappa Mohenjo-daro,
  declined gt 2000 BCE
• Aryans Indo-European Migrants from the Caspian
  Sea area arrived - 2000 BCE
• pastoral nomads, light-skinned, warrior
  culture
• clashed with dark-skinned Dravidians
  (sedentary, agricultural)
• established a society that was male dominated,
  dev. Sanskrit language, est. local kingdoms, dev.
  a social class system, Hinduism

3
Hinduism

• Evolved from native and Aryan polytheistic
  beliefs
• No one single Holy Book many books called the
  Vedas
• Brahman - supreme being creator of the universe
  (not worshipped directly by the masses
• Vishnu the sustainer protects humanity
• Shiva the destroyer destroys the universe so
  that the cycle may begin again
• Hindus believe the universe has been created and
  destroyed many times
• Dharma the duties of a person according to their
  Varna
• Follow your dharma achieve good karma

4

• Your Karma in this life determines your form in
  the next life (higher or lower Varna)
• Reincarnation cycle of life and rebirth
• Goal to escape this cycle and be reunited with
  Brahman
• 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 cow

5
Social Classes (Varnas)
Brahmans priests
Kshatriyaswarriors, rulers
Viasyas common people, merchants, artisans,
farmers
Sudras unskilled laborers, servants
Pariahs untouchables, slaves

• Castes determined by the previous life
• caste 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