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Home , Gupta (king), Gupta Empire

Reading notes- Chapter 3 page 59 After the Indus Valley

From Aryans to What language did the Aryans Speak?

Who Were the Aryans? - Arrived in Indus river Valley around 1500 B.C.E. - Aryans - Indo European group that migrated from the middle of Eurasia - Passed thru Khyber Pass about 1500 B.C.E. What is the Khyber Pass? • A gateway for invasions of the , between modern day Afghanistan and

What literature left us an idea about Aryan life? Vedas

What are the Vedas? Prayers, Magical Spells, performing rituals

What does Aryan mean in their language? List two major differences The Nobles between the Aryans and the early inhabitants of the Indus River Valley Dasas? No written language, taller The Aryans called the people lighter skins, different they found in India because language, pastoral people of their dark skin. Later meant slaves Aryans

• Aryans came to India and found people who were different from them – Aryans were light skinned, spoke a different language, and had a different religion – Non-Aryans they called Dasas, which meant dark (due to their skin color) • Dasas would later come to mean slave • Differences will create classes quickly The Caste System is Born • Aryans had 3 classes – (priests) – upper class – Kshatriyas (warriors) – middle class – Vaisyas (merchants & landowners) – lower class The Four Castes of India

Aryan/ Indian god known as Brahma Non- Aryans

• Eventually Non-Aryans were a class – Called Sudras – laborers, servants, and farm workers – They did the jobs Aryans did not want to do • – related to skin color- becomes the basis of this system; the classes were called varnas – Later they would be called “castes” • This starts the caste system Rituals & Religion of the Caste

• Aryans were polytheistic – Believed in heroic nature gods (ex. Thunder) What aspects of life did your caste determine? • Castes or classes gave role in society – People born into caste for LIFE – Affects most aspects of life. Determines your friends, wife, job, etc. – Only way to change caste was through reincarnation – couldn’t change your status during your life Rituals & Religion of the Caste

• Ritual purity a major part of religion – Eating / cleaning habits keep soul clean UNtouchables Untouchables - people in society who were seen as less than any caste • Jobs made them dirty and ‘untouchable’ • Grave diggers, butchers, etc. • If someone from another caste touched these people, they would automatically be reincarnated as an Untouchable themselves!!! Aryan Kingdoms Arise

What major kingdom emerges in India around 500 BCE? -series of ambitious kings taking over the surrounding kingdoms

Why is the Important? Longest poem in the World, Blends the cultures of the Aryan and Non- Aryans. Go to Start notesThe Spread of the Aryans • Dominated the area of India from 1500B.C.E to 500B.C.E Aryans begin spreading? • East & South – Spread east to River – Spread south into the rest of India How do we know about this spread? • Mahabharata- epic poem that told of stories of Aryan spread – Tells of blending of cultures between the Aryans & Non-Aryans The Mauryan Emerges The Mauryan Empire • Takes power around 320 BCE Who was the leader? • Chaundragupta Maurya What did he do that no one had ever done in India before? • Unified all of Northern India for 1st time How did the Mauryan Empire rule over such a large area? • Created a bureaucratic government What is a bureaucracy? • Divides up the decision making process by a variety of officials assigned or elected The Mauryan Empire Emerges • Asoka takes over with the death of his father – he is the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. Why is Asoka the greatest ruler? • Brings India to its greatest heights Ideas Asoka follows: • Turns away from war; spreads Buddhism • Practiced religious tolerance - people choose • Hindu still the main religion Other achievements: • Built road systems, hospitals, etc.

Mauryan Empire and Asoka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GHe9mR4Zoc

The Empire Emerges Founder? Chaundra Gupta • comes to power around 320 AD How does he differ from Asoka? • Brings Indian culture to its new peak • Also brings Hindu religion to its peak • of India Indian society is patriarchal? • Eldest male rules the family Indian civilization prospers? • From both trade and conquest • Create incredible advancements during this time period

Advantages of India’s geographical location? • Unique location- Pennisula • Trade, religion, language, ideas, mathematical advancements… Advancements Math • Creates the concept of zero Medicine • Book of over 1000 diseases diagnosed • Surgeries performed, set bones Astronomy • Proved the earth was round New Products • Spices, gems, woods, traded ****Used the Roads for trading**** Literature • - famous playwright and writer Watch Mauryan & Gupta : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLLRU_onBGg