Cultural History of Northern India

India's three native religions were founded within this context
1. Jainism
2. Hinduism
3. Buddhism
Indus Valley Civilisation
1. Civilisation dating back to 2500BCE
2. Religion which worshipped forces of nature
  1. Domestic religion
3. Aryan invasion introduced their own culture
Vedic Culture
1. Key root to Hinduism
2. Based on group of scriptures called Vedas (knowledge)
  1. Written in Sanskrit
    1. Only understood by elites
  2. Worshipped many gods
  3. Sacrificed animals to ask gods for favours, but also to entreat them into playing their role in the cosmic order
3. Hierarchical structure based on Hymn
  1. Cosmic man
  2. Brahmins (priests) Kshatriyas (warriors) Vaishyas (farmers) Shudras (servants)
    1. Only three higher classes were allowed to practise religion
4. Political organisation
  1. Kingdoms were sometimes only villages
  2. Leaders were elected by small groups of elders
    1. Buddha was democratic
  3. Stable which helped religious developments
Society
1. Introduction of iron plough shares and other tools created agricultural surplusses
  1. Introduction of traders had no place in old caste system
2. Urbanisation & first use of money

Resumen del Recurso

	Creado por Kirbi hace casi 10 años