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Transcript
◦ Possible causes: Monsoons destroyed irrigation and farming prospects Invasions Long distance trade collapsed 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. 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 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 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 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 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 Warrior class Farmers Non-Aryans made up the lowest class ◦ They were not slaves ◦ They were only allowed to perform the most menial tasks 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 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 Brahmins (priests) Kshatriya (warriors and officials) Vaishya (merchants and artisans) Shudra (peasants and laborers) Dalit, or untouchables – outside the 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 Untouchables - Not permitted to participate in religious rituals ◦ It is believed that people ended up in this caste as a result of bad karma that accumulated in previous lifetimes ◦ Performed the worst jobs.