Early Societies in South Asia

Indus River Valley Geography The Indus River Floods twice yearly Silt-enriched water from Pamir and Himalayas mountain ranges (March and April) August monsoons Punjab (five waters) feeds the main stream of the Indus Mountains Hindu Kush (north) Himalayas (northeast) Sind Region (modern day Pakistan)

Harappan society and its neighbors, ca. 2000 B.C.E.

Indo-European Expansion

Situated along the Indus River, Harappan and all early South Asian culture began here. Then, slowly they shifted to the Ganges over hundreds of years as they could overcome demographic and ecological boundaries.

Harappan society and its neighbors, ca. 2000 B.C.E.

Foundations of Harappan Society The Indus River Silt-enriched water from mountain ranges Major society built by Dravidian peoples, 3000-2500 BCE Cultivation of cotton before 5000 BCE, early cultivation of poultry Decline after 1900 BCE due to ecological degradation- either by deforestation or floods Disappearance by 1500 BCE due to unknown reasons? Major cities: Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro

Mohenjo-Daro Ruins

What can we imply about a civilization that has a city like this?

Mohenjo-Daro The name signifies “the mound of the dead.” Regional center Population c. 40,000 Layout, architecture suggests public purpose Broad streets, citadel, pool, sewage – all societies had plumbing Social stratification: differences in housing, Standardized weights evident throughout region Specialized labor, pottery, tools, decorative items Trade with Mesopotamians via ships First evidence of Kiln fired bricks, as opposed to sun-baked

Sandstone male bust (Mohenjo-daro) What does standardization tell us about early Indus Valley culture? 1. Extensive exchange of goods within the region. 2. Strong central authority (regional)

While we don’t understand Harappan writing, we can guess that it was primarily mercantile. We have also discovered their tallies and script in Mesopotamian Cities, what are the implications of this?

Harappan society and its neighbors, ca. 2000 B.C.E. Europe

Trade So what basic assumptions can we make about Trade during this Time Period? Did people travel to different Continents? Did people travel across Eurasia? Did people travel to different cultures? How often? Was it safe?

The Aryan “Invasion” Gradual Indo-European migration from north Aryans (“noble people”), lighter-skinned invaders from the north Dravidians, darker-skinned sedentary inhabitants of Harappa Initial separation of Aryans and Dravidians, they wanted to keep their race ‘pure’ Gradually blending over thousands of years could not be avoided though This is best demonstrated in the development of what in South Asia?

Economy Main Crops – wheat and barley Raised livestock Sugar cane, beans, peas, and other vegitables Raised livestock Early trade was by the barter system, later used silver and copper coins. This led to an increase in trade and an increase in merchants and craftsmen.

Aryan Language The Aryan’s brought with them their language, Sanskrit. In the beginning everything was passed orally from generation to generation. Between 1200 and 1000 BCE they developed a writing system. They also had a commonly used tongue which would develop into Hindi

The Aryan “Invasion” The Vedas: Collections of hymns, songs, and prayers orally transmitted; Rig Veda (1,028 hymns to gods) written down about 600 BCE by Brahmins in Sanskrit—sacred tongue. This is a trait of Indo European Culture to have Oral Epic History Caste System: four varnas, jatis, and Harijan: “Untouchables; Pariahs” Brahmin, Priest Kshatriya, Warrior/Aristocrat Vaishya, Merchant, Cultivator, Artisan Sudra, landless peasants Later Represents the 4 parts of vishnu, head, arms, legs, and feet.

Caste System Where does it come from? Varna- sanskrit word for color that is used to denote the Caste System At first, only four Varnas are necessary but as the Aryans become increasingly complex and urbanized castes began to take the shape of occupational groups These Sub-Castes were called Jati (tell the snake story)

Caste System As time progressed, so did the Jati become more complicated with eventually thousands of Jati. What is the function of a Caste? To keep social order, the penalty for breaking the law? Becoming an outCASTE, which can sometimes result in a loss of survival

Hindu Society: Gender Patriarchal, more so due to the Aryan Influence Women were not priests or governors, were uneducated Lawbook of Manu says that the primary function of women is to do two things: Bear Children Maintain the Home A great social construct that exemplifies Patriarchy is the form of immolation called: Sati

Government Very different from other Ancient Civilizations No Central government Based on Clans: Each had their own territory Headed by a male chief Ruled with advice from a committee of clan members

Aryan Religion Major deity of Rig Veda: Indra, war god Elaborate ritual sacrifices to gods Role of Brahmins important C. 800 BCE some movement away from sacrificial cults Mystical thought, influenced by Dravidians

Teachings of the Upanishads Texts that represent blending of Aryan and Dravidian traditions over time, it is a set of religious beliefs that will later become Hinduism Examine Page 102 to see how this is done. Brahma: the Universal Soul that connects all creatures (goal is to become one with Brahma) Dharma: duties and deeds during one’s life Karma: one’s fate based on their dharma Moksha: mystical ecstasy, ‘salvation’ They believe in reincarnation. Based on one’s Dharma you can move up and down the caste system.

Discussion How can we compare Mesopotamia and Egypt to Hindu South Asia (Post Invasion, Late Foundations Era)? Which are they similar to? Which are they different?