the framework for indian history: geography and a formative period (p. 59-61) Why was able to avoid influences from the Middle East and Mediterranean region when was not? What famous conqueror invaded from the Mediterranean world and what culture did he spread? What problem(s) does diverse separate regions and topography cause for unity? ’s ’s How does this compare/contrast with ? Discuss and identify their positive and negative benefits to Indian “monsoons” agriculture. Where are from and what is another name for them? (FYI the modern day “Aryans” – country of say and then say gets its name from the Aryans.) – “Iranians” “Aryans” – Why were Aryans more productive farmers than the original inhabitants of northern , esp. when the Aryans were originally nomadic herders? Who originally developed the In what language were the Vedas eventually recorded? What was the topic of the Vedas? The Aryan’s also developed and imposed social classes, or varnas, on population. ’s What was this social system called? (HINT: it sounds a little like “class”). There were five basic varnas (social classes). Use the social class pyramid below to diagram and rank each of the varnas DURING THE EPIC AGE and after. You MUST include the Indian name of each along with its meaning. (ex. Sudras = ordinary laborers, Vaisyas = traders and farmers, etc.) What determined which caste you belonged to? Was it possible to move between castes? Why or why not?
the framework for indian history: geography and a formative period (p. 59-61) Why was able to avoid influences from the Middle East and Mediterranean region when was not? What famous conqueror invaded from the Mediterranean world and what culture did he spread? What problem(s) does ’s diverse separate regions and topography cause for ’s unity? How does this compare/contrast with ? Discuss “monsoons” and identify their positive and negative benefits to Indian agriculture. Where are “Aryans” from and what is another name for them? (FYI – the modern day country of – say “Iranians” and then say “Aryans” – gets its name from the Aryans.) Why were Aryans more productive farmers than the original inhabitants of northern , esp. when the Aryans were originally nomadic herders? Who originally developed the In what language were the Vedas eventually recorded? What was the topic of the Vedas? The Aryan’s also developed and imposed social classes, or varnas, on ’s population. What was this social system called? (HINT: it sounds a little like “class”). There were five basic varnas (social classes). Use the social class pyramid below to diagram and rank each of the varnas DURING THE EPIC AGE and after. You MUST include the Indian name of each along with its meaning. (ex. Sudras = ordinary laborers, Vaisyas = traders and farmers, etc.) What determined which caste you belonged to? Was it possible to move between castes? Why or why not?