1500 B.C. The Aryans (a group of Indo-
Europeans) come to India.
They are herders who lived simply and
spoke a language called Sanskrit.
Legends says that the Aryans came in and
conquered the Harappans, but historians
believe that evidence shows that the Harappan
cities were destroyed by natural disaster long
before the Aryans arrived.
Dravidians were there when the Aryans Dravidians were there when the Aryans
arrived. The Aryans brought their religion arrived. The Aryans brought their religion
and their simple way of life. The Dravidians and their simple way of life. The Dravidians
showed them how to live in their cities. showed them how to live in their cities.
They blended into a complex culture…They blended into a complex culture…
of classes which were associated with of classes which were associated with
their jobs.their jobs.
Brahmans---priests, scholars, teachersBrahmans---priests, scholars, teachers
Ksatriya---rulers, nobles, warriorsKsatriya---rulers, nobles, warriors
Vaisya---bankers, farmers, merchantsVaisya---bankers, farmers, merchants
Sudra---artisans, laborersSudra---artisans, laborers
Untouchables---jobs no one else will doUntouchables---jobs no one else will do
BrahmanismBrahmanism
Was the religion brought by the AryansWas the religion brought by the Aryans
It was named for the priests or BrahmansIt was named for the priests or Brahmans
Brahmins reading the Vedic Chants
Worshiped many nature deitiesWorshiped many nature deities
Made sacrifices of animals to sacred firesMade sacrifices of animals to sacred fires
Ceremonies developed, some lasted days Ceremonies developed, some lasted days
or even monthsor even months
Rituals and hymns are found in the Vedas Rituals and hymns are found in the Vedas
(4 books that detail Brahman beliefs, the (4 books that detail Brahman beliefs, the
most important one is the Rig Veda)most important one is the Rig Veda)
Changing BeliefsChanging Beliefs
People began to question how the world People began to question how the world
“worked” and beliefs changed“worked” and beliefs changed
They began to believe that the multiple They began to believe that the multiple
deities were just expressions of one deities were just expressions of one
central deity. central deity.
MahabharataMahabharata
Indians wrote down their history Indians wrote down their history
One of these accounts is an epic poem One of these accounts is an epic poem
called the Mahabharata.called the Mahabharata.
The Bhagavad Gita is part The Bhagavad Gita is part
of it.of it.
Brahmanism develops into Brahmanism develops into
HinduismHinduism
Recognizes one supreme life force who Recognizes one supreme life force who
takes the form of several deities.takes the form of several deities.
These other deities are…These other deities are…
Brahma the CreatorBrahma the Creator
is the Hindu god (deva) of
creation and one of the
Trimūrti, the others being
Viṣhņu and Śhiva.
According to the Brahma
Purāņa, he is the father of
Manu, and from Manu all
human beings are
descended.
Vishnu the ProtectorVishnu the Protector
Vishnu as the All-
Pervading essence of
all beings, the master
of—and beyond—the
past, present and
future, one who
supports, sustains and
governs the Universe
and originates and
develops all elements
within. Vishnu governs
the aspect of
preservation and
sustenance of the
universe, so he is
called "Preserver of
the universe".
Shiva the DestroyerShiva the Destroyer
He is regarded as
the most powerful
god in hinduism.
Shiva is a yogi
who has notice of
everything that
happens in the
world and is the
main aspect of
life. Yet one with
great power, he
lives a life of a
sage at Mount
Kailash.
ReincarnationReincarnation
A major belief of Hindus is reincarnation, A major belief of Hindus is reincarnation,
the belief that all beings are reborn after the belief that all beings are reborn after
death.death.
Hindus believe that your behavior in this Hindus believe that your behavior in this
life determines your place in the next.life determines your place in the next.
The principal of Karma says that those The principal of Karma says that those
who live a bad life will be born into a lowly who live a bad life will be born into a lowly
position in the next life…position in the next life…
BeliefsBeliefs
Hindus believe the only way to break the Hindus believe the only way to break the
cycle of reincarnation is for someone to cycle of reincarnation is for someone to
reach spiritual union with their god.reach spiritual union with their god.
Yoga and Meditation play an important Yoga and Meditation play an important
role in Hindus’ lives.role in Hindus’ lives.
Hindus believe that the way to god is to Hindus believe that the way to god is to
faithfully carry out their job duties (dictated faithfully carry out their job duties (dictated
by their birth into their caste).by their birth into their caste).