1. Social Structure

2. I. The Vedas II. Rig-Veda A. Aryan “Books of Knowledge”
B. Legends, poems, and histories
C. Written in Sanskrit
D. Describe tribal kingdoms, politics
Little or no unification
Basis of religion: Hinduism
B.C.- The Vedic Age
Four Vedas total
II. Rig-Veda
A B.C.
B. One of the oldest religious texts in world
The Vedas are Hindu religious texts.

3. Twice-Born Groups

4. C. Explains the “four limbs"
Varnas- Social Castes
Four Aryan Social Classes
1. Brahmans
a. The “mouth”
b. Priests
c. Study and teach the Vedas
d. Perform religious rituals
e. Marriageable only to other
Brahmin
2. Kshatriyas
a. The arms
b. Warriors, leaders, generals
c. Society leaders (mayors, etc.)

5. 3. Vaisyas 4. Sudras a. The thighs
b. Merchants, artists, traders, farmers
4. Sudras
a. The feet
b. Unskilled laborers

6. D. Below the Sudras are the Pariahs, or Untouchables
1. Not considered a Varna
2. Slaves & others considered without worth
3. Considered unpure or “unclean”
4. Cannot be touched by other classes
5. Slaughters, leather workers, sewers
6. Live outside communities
7. Today, illegal to label someone as an “untouchable” - though 1/6 of the population is a Dalit (oppressed) – 160 million people
8. Ghandi’s work based on ending the caste system

8. REVIEW - What is the Indian word for a social caste?
- What does the Rig-veda call each of these groups?
- How many groups of people exist in India?
- Which castes are reserved for the native Dasas?
- Who is at the top and bottom of the caste sytem?

9. Video
Please pay close attention to the video on Untouchables in modern India.
I have no questions for you, but please be watching the video (i.e. no ipads, phones, yada yada)

10. Quickwrite The quickwrite for today is fairly simple:
- Please reflect on the video on modern India.
- What are your thoughts about the “Untouchables” and their treatment in our current world?
(Yes! This is happening RIGHT NOW!)
Think about their living conditions, work, education, etc.

11. E. Results By 500 B.C., system set. Continues today
Much like feudalism
Cannot change Varna
Cannot marry outside caste
Cannot mix socially
Everybody in society permanently ranked