1. Directions
Each of you have been assigned a caste. You must follow the rules of your caste
Sudras – You must stand in the back of the class
Vaisyas – Sit in the back with your feet on the floor and face forward at all times
Kshatriyas - Sit in the front of the class and relax. Put your feet up, be comfortable!
Brahmin – Seat of honor (rolling chair) feet up, be comfortable

2. Social Structure in India
The Hindu Caste System
Social Structure in India

3. The Caste System
Definition:
A type of social organization/hierarchy in which a person’s occupation and position in life is determined by the circumstances of his birth.

4. How Caste Shapes Society
Rigid, membership into a caste is based only on birth
Marriage only allowed among member of same caste
Occupation choices restricted
Personal contact with other castes restricted
Acceptance of fixed place in society

5. How is this explained? Reincarnation Karma
A person is born, lives, dies, and is reborn again many times.
Souls are reborn many times until they are pure enough to be with the creator, Brahma
Karma
A person’s social position in the next life is determined by his conduct in the present life.

6. How is this explained? Dharma Laws of Manu
Code of behavior or set of moral and ethical rules that govern the conduct of each social class.
Each group has a different set of rules to live by.
Laws of Manu
Hindu book of sacred law
Rules and restrictions for daily life

7. Draw this on the bottom of your Caste System of Classical China paper, leaving room to write IN and NEXT to each line

9. The Four Castes Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras
Priests, Teachers, Judges
need other castes to work the land and provide for them
Kshatriyas
Warriors and Rulers (landowners)
Vaisyas
Skilled Traders, Merchants, Farmers
Sudras
Unskilled Workers—Laborers and Craft workers

10. Below these four castes are people who belong to no caste
Outcastes
Below these four castes are people who belong to no caste
Untouchables – Outcastes
Concept of pollution…the most pure at the top (Brahmins) and the most polluted at the bottom (Untouchables)

11. Brahmins - Priests
Purpose is to help people of other castes fulfill their dharma
Perform rituals and observe vows for the sake of others

12. Kshatriyas - Warriors and Rulers
Responsible for leadership of the people
Often rely on advice from Brahmins

13. Vaisyas – Skilled Traders, Merchants
Shopkeepers who sell products (unlike the Shudra who sell services)

14. Sudras – Unskilled Workers
Each subgroup of this caste performs a specific service.
Jobs include gardeners, potters, and clothes washers

15. Untouchables - The Outcastes
Belong to no caste
Expected to do the “dirty” jobs
Come in contact with animal skins, dead bodies and human feces
Avoid contact with “caste” Indians for fear of “pollution”

16. Mauryan Empire 2 Empires in India Originally was a Hindu nation
Was one of the more advanced civilizations of its time
Large amount of trading goods by sea & by land
Reached its peak under the leader Ashoka
Ashoka converted to Buddhism & forced others to follow
Built a complex road system for travel and trade in India.

17. Gupta Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gyupta Was the “Golden Age of India”
Was still a Buddhist nation
Lots of inventions & discoveries; creativity
Nomadic invaders (the Huns) ended the reign of the Guptas around 500 AD

18. Inventions of Ancient India
Sanskrit language
Geometry & Algebra
Concept of zero, decimal system, number system
Calculate the circumference of the Earth
How were they diffused ?
Primarily through the conquests of Alexander the Great