Hinduism: Aryans brought to India a distinctive religious idea, Hinduism. The oldest known religion. Considered polytheistic. Upanishads; sacred text of Hinduism. The oldest known religion. Although Hindu gods are referred to as different aspects of a single deity, Hinduism is still considered a polytheistic. It is the only major religion to worship god in male and female form.

Dharma – set of religious and ethical duties to which each creature in the universe is subject Dharma means “that which upholds.” It is a cardinal concept in Hinduism. It includes righteousness, truth, sacred law, ethics, duty, justice, religion, and the laws of nature.

- Atman – the soul of each individual   According to Hindu beliefs, god exist in everyone, in their divine soul, called the Atman.

- Karma – the effects of the activities on the atman - Karma – the effects of the activities on the atman. It is the law of cause and effect.  

- Central feature of karma is Samsara (reincarnation) - the atman passes through a series of bodies until it realizes its oneness with god.  

Nirvana– release from life/death cycle and unification with the universal spirit. “For to one that is born, death is certain; and to one that dies, birth is certain. . . .”

Harappa writing system is undecipherable.

Aryans introduced new language: (Sanskrit/Hindi) Sanskrit was only a spoken language for a long time, but people eventually figured out how to write it down that they could keep records.

(Aryan books of Knowledge). “The Vedas;” collection of poems and sacred hymns. Much of what we know about the Aryans comes from a collection of poems, hymns, myths, and rituals called the Vedas. These poems and hymns were originally recorded using Sanskrit, the most important language of Ancient India. Rig Veda  oldest work.

Aryans introduced iron and the horse chariot. Cavalry warfare facilitated the rapid spread of Aryan culture across North India, and allowed the emergence of large empires.

Economics: Harappa were first to cultivate cotton and make cloth for export to Mesopotamia. Their main export was cotton cloth. They are the first civilization to cultivate cotton and make cotton clothing.

The statue of the dancing girl provides evidence that the Indus Valley civilization had a well-developed copper and bronze industry. They were trading with the Mesopotamians as early as 3000 B.C.E. Their seals were found there. Also, bronze has been found in the Indus Valley that is not native to the region.

Harappa traded with Mesopotamia. Used trade seals to mark goods and make contracts. Each seal had a depiction of an animal. They were trading with the Mesopotamians as early as 3000 B.C.E. Their seals were found there. Also, bronze has been found in the Indus Valley that is not native to the region.

Aryans had pastoral life. Wealth based on size of herds. Economics changed under the Aryans who lived a more pastoral life, depending on their animals. The Aryans tended sheep, goats, cows, and horses. They measured their wealth in herds of cattle.

Harappa social structures unknown.

Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables (non-Aryans) Aryan society based on Caste System. Brahmins (Priest/Rulers) Kshatriyas (Warriors) Vaishyas (merchants) Over time the Aryan people became divided into groups based on occupation, wealth, or birth These division, or Varnas, were outlined in the Vadas, and include: Brahins, Kashtriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras This grouping of society led to the development of the Caste System, which still divides Indian society today. Shudras (farmers) Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables (non-Aryans)

An alternative to open slavery. Brahmins Mouth An alternative to open slavery. Kshatriyas Arms Vaishyas Legs There is a fifth social division in India called the Untouchables. They are seen as unworthy of being part of the Caste System, so they are often not included. Shudras feet

Rules of the Caste System: No marry outside your caste. No eating with someone from another caste. If you break any rule, you will be banned from your caste, making you an untouchable. They developed the first system of writing, called Cuneiform. It was a system of wedge-shaped symbols. Used first for keeping temple records then later for keeping property records. Most, cuneiform tablets are about inventories of wheat and sheep.

That concludes The Harappa Culture. Any questions before the quiz on the next slide?