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India is a subcontinent. Subcontinent is a large piece of land that sticks out from a continent. India sticks out from the rest of Asia into the Indian Ocean. Monsoon. A strong wind that blows across East Asia at certain times of the year.
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India is a subcontinent • Subcontinent is a large piece of land that sticks out from a continent. • India sticks out from the rest of Asia into the Indian Ocean.
Monsoon • A strong wind that blows across East Asia at certain times of the year. • India’s climate is ruled by monsoons or strong seasonal winds.
Aryans • Came to India after the Indus Valley Civilization ended. • Migrated from Central Asia • They were nomadic herders. • They had a caste system
Caste System • Society was divided into classes. • People had to stay in the caste of their parents. • People did the same work as their parents and other members of their group.
The Different Castes Chat-ree-yas Vie-shas Soo-dras
The Brahmins • Priests and teachers of Sanskrit and Dharma • Only caste allowed to teach and attend school
The Kshatriya “Chat-ree-yas” • Functioned as warriors or army leaders
The Vaishyas “vie-shas” • Traders, cattle farmers, minor officials, merchants and artisans • Owned their own business or farm land
The Sudras “soo-dras” • Servants and farmhands • Did not own their own land and businesses • Most people were in this caste
The Harijans or Outcastes • Known as “untouchables”, below all others • Responsible for handling the dead, cleaning up human waste, and collecting garbage
Rules • Caste status passed down through family generations and was impossible to change. • People from different castes could not marry, befriend, or eat with each other