1 SHEET OF NOTEBOOK PAPER

“What happened to the Harappan?”

Indo-Aryan Migrations, 3000-1000 BCE

Definitions

Nomadic:

Sedentary

Migration

What is Migration?

Why do people leave Migrate away from a place?

Why do they migrate to a new one?

Indo-Aryan Migrations

The discovery of this group of people began with language, we recognize similarities between languages in Europe and Central Asia

These similarities indicated to historians that they all originated from one people who spoke a single ancient language

Similarities in Vocabulary of Indo-European Languages

English German Spanish Greek Latin Sanskrit

father vater padre pater pater pitar

one ein uno hen unus Ekam

sun sonne sol helios sol Surya

god gott dios theos deus devas

Spread of Indo-European Speaking People

Eurasian Steppe

•Nomadic life, pastoralists

•Lived off herding cattle, goats, horses

•Well-suited for environment, large grassy plains

Abundance of Horses

•First people to domesticate horses

•Learned wheel and wagons from Mesopotamians

•Used chariots for lifestyle and war

Family & Social Structure

•Society based on kinship of the clan

•Near & distant relatives all living together while tending herds

•Wealth based on herds, resources shared between clan members

•Authority likely a clan chief or elder males

Religion

•Polytheists – believed in many gods

•Honored gods w/animal sacrifices

Migration out of Caucuses

•Clans migrated away from Caucasus between 3000-1000 BCE, to Europe, Middle East, and India

•We don’t know why

•Language develops into new forms, similar words & sentence structure

Central Asian Horsemen

Called themselves the Arya, term became sign of superiority Ireland – eire (lord) Persia – ariana (noble)

People who migrated to N. India: Aryans

People of India: Dasas

Check for Understanding

Exchange notes w/person next to you. Read them thoroughly, point out anything they missed

Record any info you are missing into your notes

What were the 6 main points of this lecture?

Activity 3

Primary challenge for Aryans was establishing order in India

Over time, they gave up their pastoral life and focused on settlements and farming

This was in N. India, near the Ganges river

Caste System

Read the McNeill article. This explains the origins and nature of castes in Vedic India

Read silently and address each question If we had a caste system in America, who

would be a part of yours? Why might members of both upper and lower

classes find comfort in the caste system Explain reincarnation Explain how the expectation of reincarnation

supported the caste system What is the significance of the Vedas?

Origins

Upon arriving in India, Aryans divided into 3 social classes: Brahmins (Priests) Kshatriya (Warriors) Vaisya (Farmers/Traders)

Class determined importance in societyNon-Aryan laborers/artisans (shudras),

formed 4th group.

Indo-European Artifact

Criteria

2 major factors: Skin Color & Cleanliness/ Purity

Greatest factor: Aryans vs. non-AryansVarna (skin color) was visible feature

determining one’s placeThe 4 groups known as varnas (castes)

Indo-European Art

Criteria

People born into varna, determined marriage, jobs, socialization Brahmins considered so pure, only eat food

prepared by other Brahmins Besides skin color, cleanliness & purity

were major factors Butchers, gravediggers, trash collectors lived

outside of Caste System – Dalits (“Untouchables”)

Reading 3: The Rig Veda

This describes the first sacrifice of the primeval giant Purusha What happened when Purusha was sacrificed? How does this story support the role of priests in

Vedic religion? What info does this provide us concerning the function

and importance of each caste?

Reading 4 & 5: Upanishads

What is karma?

How is karma related to reincarnation?

How might karma reinforce the caste system?

Reading 6: The Ramayana

How is the land of Kosala different from the original Indo-European Society?

What is the role of King Dasaratha in this society? What is his greatest concern?

What does this suggest were the greatest political consequences of the Aryan takeover?

Political Influence

Over time, the Aryans replaced their social organization based on membership in clans. They developed states ruled by kings of the Kshatriya (warrior) caste. Northern India was comprised of several small independent kingdoms, not a widespread empire.

Scene from the ancient India text, the Bhagavad Gita

Back to the Caste System

Rank the following occupations in the US: teacher, lawyer, salesperson, factory worker, computer programmer, waitress, farm worker, nanny.

Which do Americans consider the most valuable and respected? Why did you rank them this way?

Varna & Jati

Social Hierarchy:

Intentional or Unintentional system of establishing powers and duties of different members in society

Video Clip: The Untouchables

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15elGwkFUYE

SAC

Although many see the Caste System as oppressive and harmful, there are also many who believe it has benefited India in many ways.

We will be debating this issue over whether the Caste System was more harmful or beneficial

SAC - Homework

You will be assigned to either Side A or B. Spend your time preparing your argument by reading background information and completing the front side of your outline sheet to develop your strongest arguments/evidence.

Structured Academic Controversy

You will meet up with a partner w/the same position. Work to refine your arguments and determine what evidence can be best used to defend your position. Prepare a 2 min. presentation of your side.

Structured Academic Controversy

Side A presents to Side B (2-3 mins.) Side B takes notes while listening. When A is finished,

B will restate the arguments they heard (2 mins)Side B presents to Side A (2-3 mins.)

Side A takes notes while listening. When B is finished, A will restate the arguments they heard (2 mins)

Structured Academic Controversy

Compromise: You may now drop the side you’ve been assigned. As a group of four, determine what points you can all agree on, and what points there are disagreements. Be prepared to share your consensus with the class.

Formative Assessment:

Respond in a well-organized assignment paragraph

How did the Indo-Aryan migrations affect Indian society?