India part II 1500-500bce

The mixing of Indo-European Aryans with native Dravidian

Indians

Indo-Europeans (Aryans)

• Central Asian tribes• Nomadic people• Great warriors• Domesticated the

horse• Early iron workers

Aryan (Indo European) Migration 1800BCE from Turkinistan through

Kyber pass to India

Kyber Pass

• Only land route between middle east and India for trade and invasion

• Still important today – India and Pakistan both trying to control it

Aryan Political System• Ruled by a king and

local rulers• Many City states• Brought Horses and

advanced weapons to India (conquered India)

• duty of the king was the protection of his subjects, property, defense and maintenance of peace

• culture spreads from the Indus to the Ganges River

• Spoke Sanskrit

Economy – Iron Age begins

• Small self-sufficient agricultural communities

• Iron Technology used for– farm tools– increased food production

(rice)– Weapons

• Barter system common

Religion

• Indian gods continue to be worshipped

• Aryans bring new gods and Scriptures called Vedas

• Combine to create Hinduism

Ayran/Hindu Social Structure•Social Structure used by Aryans to control native Indians since warriors and priests are top

•Brahmins – warriors, priests

•Kshatriyas – rulers, warriors

•Vaishyas – farmers, merchants, artisans

•Sudras – laborers

•Dalits (untouchables) – unpleasant, polluted jobs; not directly owned by others.

•Strict segregation among castes.

•All based on the tribal concept of the Ayrans that people are NOT equal

Aryan/Vedic Civilization 1500-500BCE

Hindu Vedic Philosophy

oldest written texts in India

Veda means “Knowledge” in Sanskrit.

Vedas inform and guide Hindus like the Bible guides Christians and the Koran guides Muslims

Upanishads: literally means sitting in front of

• later Hindu Vedas (often poetic) that teach the metaphysical foundations of the Hindu faith

• Hare (ha-ray) Krishna’s war poem is the most important of the Upanishads

The Ancient Vedic Hymns• Rig Veda - Knowledge of Hymns, almost 11,000 verses• “There is only one truth, only men describe it in different ways.“

• Ayur Veda - Knowledge of Medicine, over 100,000 verses• Yajur Veda - Knowledge of Liturgy, 3,988 verses • Sama Veda - Knowledge of Classical Music, 1,549 verses

• Upanishads• Jyotisha – Astrology and Astronomy.• Kalpa – Rituals and Legal matters.• Siksha – Phonetics.• Aitareya – Creation of the Universe, Man and Evolution.• Kama Sutra - Knowledge of Love and Sex• Chandogya – Reincarnation, Soul.• Kaushitaki – Karma.• Kena – Austerity, Work, and Restraint.• Dharnur Veda – Science of Archery and War.• Mundaka – Discipline, Faith and warning of Ignorance.• Sulba Sutra – Knowledge of Mathematics• Yoga Sutra - Knowledge of Meditation

Vedic Age ends with Invasions of Darius and

Alexander

Alexander