India After the Indus Valley

From Aryans to Guptas

Reading notes- Chapter 3 page 59

What language did the Aryans Speak? Sanskrit

Who Were the Aryans? - Arrived in Indus river Valley around 1500 B.C.E.- Aryans - Indo European group that migrated from the

middle of Eurasia- Passed thru Khyber Pass about 1500 B.C.E.What is the Khyber Pass?

• A gateway for invasions of the Indian subcontinent, between modern day Afghanistan and Pakistan

What literature left us an idea about Aryan life? Vedas

List two major differences between the Aryans and the early inhabitants of the Indus River ValleyNo written language, taller lighter skins, different language, pastoral people

What are the Vedas? Prayers, Magical Spells, performing rituals

What does Aryan mean in their language? The Nobles

Dasas?The Aryans called the people they found in India because of their dark skin. Later meant slaves

Aryans• Aryans came to India and

found people who were different from them– Aryans were light skinned,

spoke a different language, and had a different religion

– Non-Aryans they called Dasas, which meant dark (due to their skin color)

• Dasas would later come to mean slave

• Differences will create classes quickly

The Caste System is Born• Aryans had 3 classes

– Brahmin (priests) – upper class– Kshatriyas (warriors) – middle class– Vaisyas (merchants & landowners) – lower class

The Four Castes of India

Aryan/ Indian god known as Brahma

Non- Aryans

• Eventually Non-Aryans were a class– Called Sudras – laborers,

servants, and farm workers– They did the jobs Aryans did

not want to do• Varna – related to skin color-

becomes the basis of this system; the classes were called varnas– Later they would be called

“castes”• This starts the caste system

Rituals & Religion of the Caste• Aryans were polytheistic

– Believed in heroic nature gods (ex. Thunder)

What aspects of life did your caste determine?• Castes or classes gave role in society

– People born into caste for LIFE– Affects most aspects of life.

Determines your friends, wife, job, etc.

– Only way to change caste was through reincarnation – couldn’t change your status during your life

Rituals & Religion of the Caste

• Ritual purity a major part of religion– Eating / cleaning habits keep soul clean

UNtouchablesUntouchables - people in society who were seen as less than any caste

• Jobs made them dirty and ‘untouchable’

• Grave diggers, butchers, etc.• If someone from another caste

touched these people, they would automatically be reincarnated as an Untouchable themselves!!!

Aryan Kingdoms Arise

What major kingdom emerges in India around 500 BCE?Magadha-series of ambitious kings taking over the surrounding kingdoms

Why is the Mahabharata Important?Longest poem in the World, Blends the cultures of the Aryan and Non- Aryans.

Go to Hinduism Buddhism

Start notesThe Spread of the Aryans• Dominated the area of India

from 1500B.C.E to 500B.C.EAryans begin spreading? • East & South

– Spread east to Ganges River– Spread south into the rest of India

How do we know about this spread? • Mahabharata- epic poem that told of stories of

Aryan spread– Tells of blending of cultures between the

Aryans & Non-Aryans

The Mauryan Empire EmergesThe Mauryan Empire• Takes power around 320 BCEWho was the leader?• Chaundragupta MauryaWhat did he do that no one had ever done in India before?

• Unified all of Northern India for 1st timeHow did the Mauryan Empire rule over such a large area?• Created a bureaucratic governmentWhat is a bureaucracy? • Divides up the decision making process

by a variety of officials assigned or elected

The Mauryan Empire Emerges• Asoka takes over with the death of his father – he

is the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya.Why is Asoka the greatest ruler?

• Brings India to its greatest heightsIdeas Asoka follows:• Turns away from war; spreads

Buddhism • Practiced religious tolerance - people

choose• Hindu still the main religion

Other achievements:• Built road systems, hospitals, etc.

Mauryan Empire and Asoka:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GHe9mR4Zoc

The Gupta Empire EmergesFounder? Chaundra Gupta • comes to power around 320 ADHow does he differ from Asoka?

• Brings Indian culture to its new peak• Also brings Hindu religion to its peak• Golden Age of India

Indian society is patriarchal?• Eldest male rules the family

Indian civilization prospers?• From both trade and conquest• Create incredible advancements during

this time period

Advantages of India’s geographical location?• Unique location-

Pennisula• Trade, religion,

language, ideas, mathematical advancements…

Gupta Empire AdvancementsMath• Creates the concept of zeroMedicine• Book of over 1000 diseases diagnosed• Surgeries performed, set bonesAstronomy• Proved the earth was roundNew Products• Spices, gems, woods, traded silks

****Used the Silk Roads for trading****Literature• Kalidasa- famous playwright and writer

Watch Mauryan & Gupta Empires: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLLRU_onBGg