The Aryans

Who were the Aryans

Lived in Central Asia

Not a race or ethnic group—believed to part of a larger group referred as the Indo-Europeans

Migrated south to India

Who were the Aryans

Cattle were prized possession—meat, milk and butter

Even used cattle as money. Wealth measured by the number of cattle a person owned

Aryans were good warriors

Who were the Aryans

Expert Horse Riders and Hunters

Used metal-tipped spears and wooden chariots.

Around 1500 BC, began to move into the Indus River Valley

1000 BC began to expand across the Punjab and Ganges Plains and south into the Deccan Plateau

The Aryans Bring Change

Transitioned from nomads to farmers

Cattle were declared sacred and forbid them to be used as food.

Technology—iron plow to help clear India’s jungles to farmland

The Aryans Bring Change

Crops—wheat, barley, and millet.

Rice was grown in the River Valley

Pepper, ginger, and cinnamon grown in the south

Language--Sanskrit

Aryan Tribes

Tribes led by a Raja

Rajas ran their own kingdoms and fought among themselves

Fought over cattle, treasure, women

These kingdoms existed from 1500 BC to 400 BC

Society in Ancient India

Caste system—social group that someone is born into and cannot change

Dictates what job you will have, who you can marry, with whom you can eat or drink

Brahmins--Priests

Kshatriyas—Warriors, rulers

Vaisyas—Common People

Sudras—Unskilled Laborers, servants

The Untouchables

Varnas—Untouchables

Dirty work—collecting trash, skinning animals, and handling dead bodies

When traveling, they had to tap two sticks together so everyone would hear them coming and have time to move away

Role of Men and Women

Take a couple of minutes to read the role of men and women.

What are your thoughts about pre-arranged marriages?

Women, would you jump into the fire for your husband?