AN01d1 Unit 01: Beginnings of Civilization Ch.

03
Timeline: 2000 - 250 BCE
FQ: To what extent did migrating Indo-Europeans impact ancient Asia?

Main Idea: In India and in Mesopotamia, civilizations rst developed along lush river valleys. Even as
large cities such as Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa declined, agriculture and small urban communities
ourished. These wealthy river valleys attracted nomadic tribes. Indo-Europeans migrated into Europe,
India, and Southwest Asia and interacted with peoples living there. These peoples may have left their own
homelands because of warfare or changes in the environment. Their legacy is global in scope in that half
the people living today speak languages that stem from the original Indo-European languages.

CCSS...

Do Now:
"If at rst you don't succeed, try, try again."How often are we presented with 'second chances'?

I. Vocabulary: Refer to Crossword Puzzle.

II. Indo-Europeans Migrate (Refer to Prezi Presentation)
A. Origins
B. Language Family
C. Reason to Migrate

III. The Hittite Empire (Refer to Prezi Presentation)
A. Who were they?
B. Adopt & Adapt
C. Technical Innovation

IV. Aryans Transform South Asia (Refer to Prezi Presentation)


V. The Hindu Caste System
The origins of this social order have a mythical and historical basis. As conquerors, it can be
assumed that the Aryans would subdue and subjugatethe peoples they conquered. Any resulting social
order would undoubtedly place Aryans and their descendants at the top, with the subjected and their
descendants at the bottom. Given the age of this faith and the absence of records, this explanation is a
theory. A clue, however, is visible in the word 'Varna'. This word implies 'color' and is also the word to
describe the major divisions of the Hindu caste. The Aryans may have racially segregated the society
based on skin color (Aryans = lighter, Dravidians = darker).

A. Varnas: The four levels depicted in the social hierarchy are called 'Varnas'. Each Varna is
divided into many sub-groupings called Jati. A Jati is an occupational classication. So, within
each main division of the Caste System there are many groups of occupations that fall within it.
For example, the Sudra Varna consists of the laborers. In that general grouping are many
Contributions of the Indo-Europeans (Aryans) Contributions of the Indus Valley Civ.s
Military Technology: Chariots Literacy: Developed Written Language
New Agricultural Methods: Animal Husbandry Agrarian Lifestyle: Sedentary
New Religious Beliefs and Practices Builders: A Long History of Brick Structures
Stricter, rigid hierarchy Archaeological research reveals more and more over time.
However, the physical evidence available indicates a lifestyle and
social organization not unlike that of other river valley civilizations
(eg. Mesopotamia).
AN01d1 Unit 01: Beginnings of Civilization Ch.03
occupations that fall within the category of laborer. A factory laborer and an agricultural laborer
would fall within this Varna. Keep in mind that all Jatis are ranked, even within the Varnas.
Therefore, the factory laborer may be ranked higher or lower than the agricultural laborer.
#
B. Purity of the Soul: Though there may have been originally a politically and racially motivated
reason for the Caste System, it seems to have been totally replaced by this religious belief (based
in part on the mythical origin). The lower in the hierarchy you are, the less pure your soul is. The
lower your Jati is in your Varna, the less pure is your soul compared to others in your Varna. The
occupation you have reects the purity of your soul. The most polluted occupations are those
that are considered most dirty or foul. Your duties are determined by the Jati within which you
work. Your Jati will be the same as that of your parents.
#
C. Samsara Cycle: Birth, life, marriage and death must be within your Jati. Despite its outward
appearance, there is a degree of social mobility. This cycle is briey explained as:
1. Dharma: The duties you must perform as member of a particular Jati. Your parents,
who are also from this Jati, are charged with instructing you on those duties.
2. Karma: Your ultimate 'fate'. Whether that fate (Karma) is positive or negative depends
on how well you attended to your Dharma.
3. Reincarnation: Or Transmigration of the Soul. After death, this is the means by which
rebirth occurs. The soul transmigrates from one body (the deceased) to the next body
(the soon to be born).
4. Moksha: Marks the end of the Samsara cycle. It marks the union of the soul with
Brahman. This will occur only when all negative Karma has been erased by positive
Karma.*#
#
A soul can, therefore, moves up and down the Caste depending on how it lived a
previous life. Positive Karma will move the soul up through the Jatis and Varnas while
negative Karma will produce the opposite effect. The next level beyond Brahmin would be
Moksha while the level below Sudras is Harijan or Untouchability. Harijans are seen as
being so impure that they are not even considered within the Caste System (they are true
Outcasts). Should the soul migrate beyond untouchability, it would enter the realm of
animals and plants.
#
*'Enlightenment' is the understanding of 'The Truth': 'The Truth' is seeing all things in
oneself and oneself in all things (unity of beings). Once this is known, a corollary can be
added- violence against or towards anything is violence against oneself. Non-violence
(Ahimsa) becomes an attribute of an enlightened person.
#
D. General Characteristics of the Caste System
1. Provides for a very stabile society, able to withstand traumatic changes..
2. Jatis and Varnas act as social security nets.
3. The Samsara cycle provides a soul with numerous opportunities to get it right.
4. Social mobility is limited to the after-life.
5. The top ranks of the caste have a disproportionate share of wealth, status and
opportunity.
6. The lower ranks of the caste have a disproportionate share of the poverty-stricken and
disenfranchised.

VI. Modern Challenges
Challenges are not new to any faith, regardless of their age. The 21st century has produced its
own brand of religious dilemmas for Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, & Islam. These dilemmas transcend
cultural boundaries.
! Spiritual Freedom vs. Social Order
! Importance of Beliefs vs. Importance of Ritual
AN01d1 Unit 01: Beginnings of Civilization Ch.03
! Cultural Diffusion vs. Purity of the faith.

Materials/Sources:Refer to the course calendar for additional assignments and pertinent due dates.
! Mahabharata (incl. 'Bhagavad Gita')
! Perspectives on the Past
! Hindu Vision of Life- Lecture #1: By Prof. Dennis G. Dalton of Barnard College [Text: Presuppositions on Indian
Philosophy By Karl Potter.]

Teacher Note: Here, as in any academic attempt to study beliefs and practices of peoples, the sources
include scholarly work as well as philosophical/ religious texts. Presentation of any philosophical/ religious
text is to facilitate study, acquire appreciation, and enliven discussion of the traditions that produced them.
In no form, content or intent, are the materials presented to teach and/ or proselytize any belief system.
No particular denomination, if applicable, is chosen over another. The basic tenets of the philosophy or
faith as presented here are meant to transcend any deviations that currently separate the denominations.