Early Civilization in India Chapter 3, Section 1

Opening Question 8/24 What is a monsoon?

India’s First Civilization 3000-1500 BCE 2 cities: Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. (Harappan/Indus civilization) Carefully planned, wells provided water, advanced drainage system. Based power on divine assistance. Economy based on farming, extensive trade.

Arrival of the Aryans Pastoral with a warrior tradition. After settling in India, they gave up pastoral life for regular farming. Iron plow and irrigation helped with this. Developed Sanskrit. Between 1500-400 BCE, India had many small kingdoms. Rajas (princes) carved out small states that were often at war with one another.

Society in Ancient India Caste system: Set of rigid social categories that determined a person’s occupation/economic potential, as well as position in society. (Called jati in India) In addition, was divided into four social classes called varnas. Priests and warriors were in the top two varnas. Members of the priestly class were called brahmans. Warriors were called Kshatriyas. Third varna was Vaisyas, or commoners. (Merchants/Farmers) Sudras were peasants and other manual laborers. Lowest level were the untouchables, and they were not in the ranking.

Family Life Ideal was three generations living under the same roof. Patriarchal Divorce usually not allowed, but husbands could take a second wife if the first was unable to bear children. Marriage was arranged, and women did not work outside the home. Paying a dowry to man who married daughter. Suttee: Required a wife to throw herself on her dead husband’s flaming funeral pyre.