Chapter 4 Early Societies in South Asia 2011

Chapter 4 Early Societies in South Asia © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1

Harappan Society and Its Neighbors, ca. 2000 B. C. E. © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2

Foundations of Harappan Society n The Indus River q n Major society built by Dravidian peoples, 30002500 B. C. E. q q n Silt-enriched water from mountain ranges Cultivation of cotton before 5000 B. C. E. , early cultivation of poultry Decline after 1900 B. C. E. Major cities: Harappa (Punjab region) and Mohenjo-daro (mouth of Indus River) q 70 smaller sites excavated (total 1500) © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3

Mohenjo-Daro Ruins n n Population about 40, 000 Regional center q q n n n Layout, architecture suggests public purpose Broad streets, citadel, pool, sewage Standardized weights evident throughout region Specialized labor Trade © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4

Harappan Society and Culture n Evidence of social stratification q n n n Dwelling size, decoration Harappan civilization: influence on later Indian culture Statues, figurines, and illustrations reflect a tradition of art and metallurgy Venerated goddesses of fertility © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 5

Mysterious End of Harappan Civilization n Reasons for disappearance unclear q q q Excessive deforestation, loss of topsoil Earthquakes? Flooding? n n n Evidence of unburied dead Disappearance by 1500 B. C. E. Harappan traditions survived – agricultural practices, religious beliefs, and urban traditions © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 6

The Early Aryans n Pastoral economy: sheep, goats, horses, cattle q n Cattle not sacred until many centuries later Religious and literary works: the Vedas q q q Sanskrit: sacred tongue Prakrit: everyday language, evolved into Hindi, Urdu, Bengali Four Vedas (wisdom), most important Rig Veda n 1028 hymns to Aryan gods © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 7

The Vedic Age n Conflicts between Aryans and indigenous dasas (“enemies, ” “subjects”) q q n n Chiefdoms: rajas Early concentration in Punjab, migrations further south q q n Aryans fighting Dravidians Also Aryans fighting each other Development of iron metallurgy Increasing reliance on agriculture Tribal connections evolve into political structures © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 8

Varna: The Caste System n Origins in Aryan domination of Dravidians q Brahmin, priest Kshatriya, warrior Vaishya, merchant Shudra, serf q “Untouchables” q q q n Jati system of subcastes q Related to urbanization, increasing social and economic complexity © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 9

Patriarchy in Ancient Indian Society n n n “Rule of the father” A social order that stood alongside the caste system, and varna hierarchy Enforced in the Lawbook of Manu q q Women to be subject to fathers, husbands, sons Women’s most important duties to bear children and maintain wholesome homes © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10

Aryan Religion n n Major deity of Rig Veda: Indra, war god Elaborate ritual sacrifices to gods q n Role of brahmins important Ca. 800 B. C. E. some movement away from sacrificial cults q Mystical thought, influenced by Dravidians © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11

Teachings of the Upanishads n n n n Texts that represent blending of Aryan and Dravidian traditions Composed 800 -400 B. C. E. , some later collections until thirteenth century C. E. Brahman: the universal soul Samsara: reincarnation Karma: accounting for incarnations Moksha: mystical ecstasy Relationship to system of Varna © 2011, The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12