Indian Lesson 2

Politics, Social Order

Harappan Politics

• Harappa was the 1st civilization in the Indus River Valley.

• Monarchy; king-priests like Mesopotamia.

What was the first civilization of the Indus River?

What form of government did the Harappans have?

The End of the Harappans

• We do not know how this civilization ended.

• Little is known if their social order; perhaps it was similar to Mesopotamia?

• All we know about their religion is that they were polytheistic.

Why did the Harappans disappear?

What kind of religion did the harappans have?

Indian Politics

• Aryans invade and settled small villages in India.

• Language was Sanskrit.• Aryan culture mixes with

native peoples.• Their leaders were called

Rajas.

Who invaded and settled India after the Harappans?

What were the aryan leaders called?

Indian Politics

• Rajas fought among each other, grew into kingdoms (monarchies).

• Largest empire was created by Chandragupta Maurya (Mauryan dynasty).

• Ashoka the Great was a famous Mauryan leader who spread Buddhism.

What form of government did India have?

What was the largest empire of India?

Indian Politics• Chandragupta I created

another Indian empire (Gupta dynasty).

• The Gupta dynasty is responsible for a golden age of achievements and the spread of Hinduism.

What Indian dynasty brought about a golden age of achievements?

1. BRAHMANS: priests

2. KSHATRIYAS: rulers, warriors

3. VAISYAS: farmers, artisans, merchants

4. SUDRAS: unskilled workers, servants

PARIAHS: untouchables;

Social Order Caste System: order of society and of salvationThe Four Varnas