Early Societies in East Asia

Early Aryan India Aryans – Nomadic and pastoral peoples speaking Indo-European languages who migrate into the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus valley.

The Aryans and India Early Aryans: Heavily Pastoral Early On Sheep, goats, horses, and cattle.

The Aryans and India Early Aryans: Utilized iron implements by 750 B.C.E. to farm and establish more permanent settlements. More permanent settlements meant evolution of more established political and social organization

Origins of the Caste System Caste System – Indian social system based on hereditary and usually unchangeable status.

Caste System Brahmans – Priests, Nobles, High Government officials Kshatriya – Warriors and Other Officials Vaishya – Merchants, Landowners, and Artisians Shudra – Peasants and laborers Outcastes – Outsides of the Caste System

Society Patriarchal Society The Lawbook of Manu – Dealt with proper moral behavior and social relationships including sex and gender relationships Sati – Practice by which widows threw themselves in the funeral pyre of their deceased husbands.

Society Bhagayad Gita: Ethical text of the Hindu Religion Karma: The total effect of ones actions that determines destiny in the wheel of life and reincarnation. Dharma: Ones duty to their caste.

Aryan Religion Focused heavily on rituals and ritual sacrifices.

Brahman Religious belief that each person participates in a larger cosmic order and forms a small part of a universal soul.