1. Aryans in India

2. The Who? Indo-Europeans or Aryans were herders/nomads Spoke Sanskrit
Blended culture in India with Dravidians (people already living in India)
Developed Caste system

3. Brahmana Ksatriya Vaisya Sudra Caste System Untouchables
Artisans, laborers
Vaisya
Bankers, merchants, farmers
Ksatriya
Rulers, nobles, warriors
Brahmana
Priests, scholars, teachers
Untouchables
Outside the system (sweepers, cleaners)

4. Early Beliefs Early religion was called Brahmanism
Called Brahmanism after the priests (Brahmans)
Rituals and hymns written in a religious text called Vedas
Religious history written in Mahabharata (epic poem)
Most famous of the poems is Bhagavad Gita

5. Hinduism in a Nutshell Mono/polytheistic Reincarnation and Karma
Believed in many gods, but one supreme life force
Reincarnation and Karma
What you do in this life determines what you will be in the next
Animals are part of this, so Hindus are vegetarians
Your path to god includes how well you do your job
Path also includes meditation and yoga