• Aryans were pastoralists– Nomadic people kept herds of
livestock as food source
• learned farming after moving into India
• Were a warlike group
• Most of what we know about the early Aryan period comes from the Vedas
• Vedas – Scared writings,
Epic poems, hymns, magic spells
– Passed on by oral tradition
– Provide details about Aryan history and society
Vedic ReligionVedic Religion• Polytheistic
– Worshipped many gods connected to a single eternal spirit
– Became the basis for Hinduism• Priests performed rituals that
they claimed kept order in the universe – Fire sacrifices
– Chanting hymns • Priests hold great importance and
developed power in Aryan society
Vedic Social StructureVedic Social Structure• Rig Veda
– Oldest of the Vedas– Describes the creation of
the four varnas• Social Classes
– Each varna played a specific role in society• Brahmins
– Priests• Kshatriyas
– warriors and rulers• Vaisyas
– Traders, farmers, herders• Sudras
– Servants
ShudrasShudras(servants, laborers) (servants, laborers)
VaishyasVaishyas(herders, farmers, (herders, farmers,
merchants, craftspeople)merchants, craftspeople)
KshatriyasKshatriyas
(warriors)(warriors)
UntouchablesUntouchables
BrahminsBrahmins(priests)(priests)
Non-Aryans
The mouth?
The arms?
The legs?
The feet?
WHO IS…WHO IS…
BrahminsBrahmins
KshatriyasKshatriyas
VaishyasVaishyas
ShudrasShudras
• 10/12 Focus:10/12 Focus:– The 4 varnas established a social The 4 varnas established a social
hierarchy in Indian society hierarchy in Indian society – The varnas evolved into a more The varnas evolved into a more
rigid social structure known as the rigid social structure known as the caste system caste system
• Do Now:Do Now:– Explain why priests held so much Explain why priests held so much
power in Aryan societypower in Aryan society
The Caste SystemThe Caste System
• The varnas were the basis for the caste system
• Castes– You were born into a caste and stayed
there through your life• The way to move up to the next level in the caste
system was through reincarnation in the next life• Linked to Hindu faith
– Determined what:• jobs you could have• Who you could marry• Who you could eat with
– Some castes had more privileges than others
UntouchablesUntouchables• Did not belong to a caste• No protections of caste
laws• Could not associate with
other castes• Could only perform jobs
that other castes did not •Handling dead animals •Digging graves and
cremating bodies•Handling trash
ClosureClosure
• Why are the Vedas important to our understanding of the Aryans?
• What are varnas? • Who was at the top of social
structure in India?