Ancient Indian Civilization and Society Global Studies I Ancient Indian Civilization and Society

India’s First Civilizations Harapa and Mohenjo-Daro Broad streets, walled neighborhoods, public wells and sewage pits

India’s First Civilizations Rulers and the Economy Power based on belief in divine assistance Religion and political power closely linked Royal palace and temple combined Economy based on farming and extensive trade

Arrival of the Aryans Who were the Aryans? Indo-Europeans that invaded India Eventually settled along the Ganges River

Arrival of the Aryans Aryan Ways of Life Pastoral people with a strong warrior tradition Gave up pastoral life to become farmers in India Developed their first writing system, known as Sanskrit, around 1000 BC Governed by Aryan princes called rajas

Society in Ancient India India’s System Caste system a rigid set of social classes Determined one’s occupation, economic potential, and position in society Based, in part, on skin color

peasants with limited rights The Caste System Brahmans priests Kshatriyas warriors Vaisyas Commoners/Merchants Sudras peasants with limited rights Untouchables

Untouchables Given menial and degrading tasks 5% of India’s population not treated as humans harmful presence lived in separate areas away from society

The Family in Ancient India Extended family; patriarchal Men Could inherit property Educated Could take a second wife if first was infertile

The Family in Ancient India Women Marriages arranged by parents Suttee required a wife to throw herself onto her dead husband’s flaming funeral pyre.