ORIGINS OF HINDUISM: INDIAN SOCIETYSocial Studies for 8th EGB

Teacher: Mauricio Torres

BACKGROUND

As the Aryans moved into India, they developed a strict system of social classes. As the Aryan’s influence spread through India, so did their class system.

Before long, this class system was a key part of Indian society.

INDIAN SOCIETY DIVIDES

When Aryan society became more complex, they divided themselves into groups, according to people’s occupation.

Strict rules were developed about how people could interact. With time, they became more strict and central to Indian society.

THE VARNAS

According to the Vedas, there were four main varnas, or social divisions in Aryan society (page

131): Brahmins: priests Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors Vaisyas: farmers, craftspeople,

traders. Sudras: laborers and non-Aryans

Harijans or Untouchables: people who did not belong to any caste; they could only hold unpleasant jobs.

BRAHMINS

The Bramins were at the top, because they performed rituals for the gods. This gave them great influence over other varnas.

But they did not inly include priests: they also included teachers and scholars. This was because they dealt with

knowledge and spirituality.

THE CASTE SYSTEM

Rules of interaction between varnas got stricter. They divided Indian society based on a person’s birth, wealth or occupation.

Castes determined a person’s place or role in society. But this was not permanent. Sometimes castes gained or lost favor

as they members gained of lost wealth and power. Rarely, people could change castes!

WOMEN

Both men and women belonged to castes.

During the early Aryan period, women had almost the same rights as men.

They could, for example, own property and receive and education.

Over time though, laws were passed, which limited these rights.

UNTOUCHABLES

By the late Aryan period, a segment of early Indian society had developed, which did not belong to any caste.

They were called the Harijans, or Untouchables. They could only hold certain, and

often unpleasant, jobs.

CASTE RULES

To keep their classes distinct, the Aryans developed sutras, or guides, which listed all the rules for the caste system.

For example, people were not allowed to marry anyone from a different class!

It was even forbidden for people from one class to eat with people from another.

People who broke caste rules, could be banned from their homes and castes, which would deem them untouchables.

To avoid this, people spent most of their time with people of their own class.

ASK YOURSELF

Recall: What were the four varnas? What is a caste system?

Describe: What were some rules described in the

sutras?

Explain: What would happen to someone who

broke the rules of the caste system?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History. (P. Hall, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US: Pearson Education INC.

Images taken from www.google.com