Ancient India Indo-Europeans, Aryans, and Hittites

1. Ancient India Indo-Europeans, Aryans, and Hittites Ancient India Indo-Europeans, Aryans, and Hittites

2. Learning Objectives Learning Objectives 1. Identify geographic factors - the Indus and Ganges rivers, the Himalayas, and the Khyber pass. 2. Identify key terms: Indo-Europeans, Aryans, Caste system. 3. Explore the contributions of the first Indian civilizations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. 4. Explore the accomplishments of the Hittites and the Indo-European/Aryan invaders. 5. Students will learn to read a migration chart and a language chart.

3. Geography Geography • Ganges river – forms a fertile farming valley. • Indus river- farming region that produces wheat. • Climate is impactedby monsoons.

4. Geography Geography • The two key mountain chains are: • Hindu Kush –this includes the Khyber Pass • Himalayas-highest mountains in the world.

5. Indo-European Languages Indo-European Languages Balto-Slavik Greek Indo-Iranian Hittite Armenian Slavik Baltic Indic Iranian Polish Czech Russian Ukrainian Macedonian Latvian Lithuanian Hindi Urdu Punjabi Bengali Persian Kurdish Italic Germanic Celtic Latin Danish Swedish Norwegian English Dutch Afrikaans German Breton Welsh Irish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic French Portuguese Spanish Italian Romanian

6. Mohenjo-Dara and Harappa Mohenjo-Dara and Harappa • India’s1st civilizations. • Populations of 35,000-40,000. • Carefully planned and developed. • Advanced drainage and sewage systems. Images of ancient Mohenjo-Daro.

7. Mohenjo-Dara and Harappa Mohenjo-Dara and Harappa • Rulers were both the religious and political leaders. • Palace and temple combined in the Citadel or fortress. Streets in Mohenjo-Daro

8. Mohenjo-Dara and Harappa Mohenjo-Dara and Harappa • Believed in many gods and goddesses. • Most important were the gods of fertility and the harvest. • Strong farming regions near the Indus that produced wheat, barley and peas. Shiva and Mother Parvati

9. Indo European and Aryan Migrations Indo European and Aryan Migrations What does it mean to migrate?

10. Indo-Europeans- The Hittites Indo-Europeans- The Hittites • Anatolia was their capital, and they also controlled the ancient city of Babylon • Spoke the Babylonian language – Akkadian. • Adopted the Babylonian culture • Ruled for 450 years Map showing the extent of the Hittite empire. Courtesy Wikipedia commons.

11. The Hittites The Hittites • Legal code was more lenient than Hammurabi’s code. • Iron chariots and weapons of iron gave them an edge. • Negotiated an alliance or treaty with the Egyptians. Hittite soldiers above.

12. Indo European and Aryan Invaders Indo European and Aryan Invaders • The Vedic Period - 1500-1000 BC- Invaders breached the Khyber Pass in the Hindu Kush Mtns. • Conquered the Indus valley region of India. • War-like and pastoral people.

13. Indo European and Aryan Invaders Indo European and Aryan Invaders • Aryan Kings or Leaders were called “Rajas” – (“princes”) • India was made of warring kingdoms and shifting alliances. An Indian Raja and Princess.

14. Indo European and Aryan Invaders Indo European and Aryan Invaders • Iron tools – plow, etc, made them good farmers. • They produced: rice, wheat, barley, millet. • Spices included: cinnamon, pepper, and ginger.

15. Indo European and Aryan Invaders Indo European and Aryan Invaders • Writing – Sanskrit • Top works include: The Vedas - A collection of hymns that form the foundation of the religion of Hinduism. Selections from the Rig Veda above, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

16. Indo European and Aryan Invaders Indo European and Aryan Invaders

17. Religions in India Religions in India • The dominant religion in the region is Hinduism which was brought in by the original Aryan invaders. • With the birth of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in 600 BC, the religion of Buddhism was also introduced in India.

18. Religions in India Religions in India • Aryans brought with them a strong oral tradition, and religion. • These became the foundation for the religion of Hinduism. • They established a social institution and class system – caste system. Vedas

19. The Caste System The Caste System • Impact of the Caste System • Position in society based on skin color. • Occupation, and economic status are determined by your caste. • This will also determine who you marry.

20. Aryan Social Classes Aryan Social Classes • Brahmins – priests • Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors • Vaishyas – peasants and traders • Shudras - laborers • You are born into a caste for life. • It determines: who you will marry, the job you will have, and the people you are allowed to associate with. • Higher castes are concerned with ritual purity.

21. The Untouchables The Untouchables The lowest social class were known as untouchables because they did the dirtiest work that was considered unclean and impure. They were butchers, gravediggers, and trash collectors.

22. Family Life in India Family Life in India • Patriarchal – men are educated and allowed to inherit. • Women - nostatus, and daughters were an financial drain. (Dowry). • Suttee – wife throws herself onto the pyre of her dead husband. A Hindu widow commits sati above. A Rajput girl – right.

23. Indo European and Aryan Invaders Indo European and Aryan Invaders • One of the most influential leaders of India for all times, was the 5th century ruler, Asoka. • During the reign of Asoka, Buddhismspread to different parts of the world, and large parts of India were united for the first time. Asoka Maurya above. Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

24. Indo European and Aryan Invaders Indo European and Aryan Invaders • Babur was the leader of the Mughal Empire. It was the last great nativeruling family in India prior to the British takeover. • The Mughals or Moguls were Islamic and very warlike. Map showing the expansion of territory under the Moguls. Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

25. The Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal • “Poetry in marble.”The most famous tomb in the world. • Built in 1631-38 AD by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his beloved wife. • She asked him “to build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before.”

26. Check for Understanding Check for Understanding • Name the two rivers that supported the first civilizations in India. • Describe what could be found in Mohenjo-Daro. • What key contribution do we get from the Aryans? • What is the caste system? • What two religions came out of this culture?