Social Studies – Ancient India Monday, 3.7.16

Theory 3: Part of the IRV Culture The final theory suggests that the Aryans came from a system already in place in the Indus River Valley. The word Aryans comes from the word “Arya” (noble). http://india.mrdonn.org/indus01.gif

Theory 3: Part of the IRV Culture Those called “Arya” were people who followed all of the rules and acted “noble” or with the proper conduct and religious following. Those that did not follow the rules were not as noble or “non-Aryans”. This became a basis for the caste system (social level structure) which we will discuss in greater detail on another day. http://www.indiabuzzing.com/wp-content/uploads/the-cast-system.jpg

Contributions of the Aryans Regardless of where the Aryans came from, they left behind some long-lasting contributions. Many words in our modern-day language Chicken Religion (Hinduism) Vedas Upanishads (Q & A sessions b/n teacher and students) http://www.ukindia.com/zip/zsan1.gif

Sanskrit Regardless of who the Aryans were and when they arrived, we definitely know they spoke a language called Sanskrit. Around 800 BC, the Aryans began writing down their religious stories and myths using Sanskrit. Called the Vedas Basis of Hinduism http://i3.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens2163644_1314717279veda.jpg

Sanskrit English Sanskrit Mother Matar Father Pitar New Navas Six Sat Although it looks pretty foreign, linguists (people who study language) think Sanskrit is in the same language family as English and Spanish, among others. All of these languages are called Indo-European. As the groups spread across Europe, the language changed, but there are still similarities.