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Understanding India's Subcontinent and Ancient Caste System

India is a vast subcontinent that extends into the Indian Ocean. Its climate is significantly influenced by seasonal monsoons. The ancient society was shaped by the arrival of the Aryans, who migrated from Central Asia. They established a structured caste system that categorized society into distinct classes, including Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), Sudras (servants), and the Harijans (outcastes). This rigid system dictated social roles and dominated interpersonal relations, with caste status being inherited and challenging to change.

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Understanding India's Subcontinent and Ancient Caste System

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  1. India is a subcontinent • Subcontinent is a large piece of land that sticks out from a continent. • India sticks out from the rest of Asia into the Indian Ocean.

  2. Monsoon • A strong wind that blows across East Asia at certain times of the year. • India’s climate is ruled by monsoons or strong seasonal winds.

  3. Aryans • Came to India after the Indus Valley Civilization ended. • Migrated from Central Asia • They were nomadic herders. • They had a caste system

  4. Caste System • Society was divided into classes. • People had to stay in the caste of their parents. • People did the same work as their parents and other members of their group.

  5. The Caste System of Ancient India

  6. The Different Castes Chat-ree-yas Vie-shas Soo-dras

  7. The Brahmins • Priests and teachers of Sanskrit and Dharma • Only caste allowed to teach and attend school

  8. The Kshatriya “Chat-ree-yas” • Functioned as warriors or army leaders

  9. The Vaishyas “vie-shas” • Traders, cattle farmers, minor officials, merchants and artisans • Owned their own business or farm land

  10. The Sudras “soo-dras” • Servants and farmhands • Did not own their own land and businesses • Most people were in this caste

  11. The Harijans or Outcastes • Known as “untouchables”, below all others • Responsible for handling the dead, cleaning up human waste, and collecting garbage

  12. Rules • Caste status passed down through family generations and was impossible to change. • People from different castes could not marry, befriend, or eat with each other

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