Aryans

1. 11
Kingdom of the GangesKingdom of the Ganges
Aryan Aryan
CivilizationCivilization

2. Arrival of Aryans in 1500 B.C.Arrival of Aryans in 1500 B.C.
1. Migrated from southern Russia1. Migrated from southern Russia
2. With superior weapons and chariots 2. With superior weapons and chariots
conquered Indus regionconquered Indus region

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Who were the Aryans?Who were the Aryans?
•Invaders from central Europe Invaders from central Europe
(Russia/Germany)(Russia/Germany)
•Entered India through the Khyber PassEntered India through the Khyber Pass
•Herders in search of pasteur landHerders in search of pasteur land
What kind of people were they?What kind of people were they?
1.1.War likeWar like
2.2.Nomadic Herdsmen Nomadic Herdsmen

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5. 55
Two periods of Aryan CivilizationTwo periods of Aryan Civilization
•The Vedic Age (1500 – 1000 BC)The Vedic Age (1500 – 1000 BC)
•The Epic Age (1000 – 500 BC)The Epic Age (1000 – 500 BC)

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1. The Vedic Age1. The Vedic Age
a.a.Named after the Vedas (knowledge)Named after the Vedas (knowledge)

A collection of 4 poems and sacred hymnsA collection of 4 poems and sacred hymns

The Aryans preserved these stories, hymns, The Aryans preserved these stories, hymns,
and poems without written language – they and poems without written language – they
relied on oral traditionrelied on oral tradition
•Everything we know about the early Everything we know about the early
Aryans comes from these VedasAryans comes from these Vedas

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2. The Epic Period2. The Epic Period
a.a.This period is known for their two This period is known for their two
marvelous epics:marvelous epics:

The RamayanaThe Ramayana

The MahabharataThe Mahabharata
•They mix history, mythology, adventure, They mix history, mythology, adventure,
and religionand religion
•They also depict stories about Aryan life, They also depict stories about Aryan life,
wars, and accomplishmentswars, and accomplishments

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The RamayanaThe Ramayana

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The MahabharataThe Mahabharata

10. 1010
BRAHMINSBRAHMINS
priests
KSHATRIYASKSHATRIYAS
warriors
VAISYASVAISYAS
herders, farmers, merchants craftspeople
SUDRASSUDRAS
(Non-Aryans)
farm workers, servants, laborers