The Aryan Civilization And The Classification Of Society Under The Varna Scheme

The Aryans of the Vedic Age and the people of the Shang and Zhou dynasties

In this paper I will be discussing how Hinduism was originally developed, what their beliefs are, and the spread of Hinduism today. Overall Geography played a huge role in the development and spreading of this religion and

It is believed that Hindu traditions appeared around 1500 B.C.E. and can be traced to the ancient Aryans as they migrated into southeastern Asia. It was during this time that the Vedic hymns were composed. These hymns, called Vedas, were composed by different Brahman priests and

In India, we can categorize marginalized people based on caste, gender, disabled, minorities (religious, linguistic, regional), etc. Hindu people come under the majority of population, and this religion is a very fragmented religion due to Varna system, because they have adopted the Varna system. According to their occupation, before Uttar Vedik Era, its function was very smooth and there was no concept of untouchability but after this era, it continued practicing. Due to different occupations, there was the existence of caste system in Hindu religion. People can change their religion but caste can’t be changed. Because of this,

The caste system began around 1000 B.C.E. to distinguish among the different individuals in early Aryan society, such as the warrior elite, priests, ordinary tribesmen, and conquered subjects. In the caste system there are four groups, reffered to as varna, Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. The Brahman were priests, the Kshatriya were warriors and officials, the Vaishya were merchants and artisans, and the Shudra were peasants and laborers. Those who were not included in a caste were known as outcastes. These people belonged to no caste due to them either entering this social division later than others or violating rituals and losing their caste status. The outcastes were disdained because they made a living by foul jobs such as dressing

Looking upon Indian society for comparison, it is seen that the primary factor of the caste system is built

In Hindu caste system consists of four varnas (groups), with the fifth group named as “untouchables” who were considered as insulted and inferior. At the top are priests and teachers (Brahmins) because of the focus on the spread of religious knowledge. Then are rulers and soldiers, collectively called kshatriyas. Merchants and traders (vaishyas) are the lower group, whereas the fourth group contains society’s laborers (shudras). On the other hand, the Bantu social construction was slightly different from that of the Hindu civilization.

Vedic-Aryans were a pastoral nomads, herders of cattle and sheep. They were ruthless people, fighting everyone, even themselves. Over several centuries the Aryans triumphed, in time forming a lot of small advancing kingdom rules by warrior kings call rajahs. Over the time their kingdoms, fighting each other for regional supremacy, raiding each other’s territory and stealing their herds, conflict and political disagreement became visible, to seal Indian society.

“And in spite of successive waves of invasion and conquest by Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Muhammadans, the national development of the life and literature of the Indo-Aryan race remained practically unchecked and unmodified from without down to the era of British occupation. No other branch of the Indo- European stock has experienced an isolated evolution like this.” (Inden 426)

One significant aspect during the Aryan Civilization, a period where nomadic tribes entered the Hindu Kush, was the conception of sacrifice during the Vedic Age. Sacrifices caught the attention of many Hindus because not only they were popularized when Hinduism was at its highest point, or otherwise largely known as the Golden Age, where the Hindu population amplified significantly. It was “believed” to promise many positive aspects in later generations of the member's household. But most importantly, the practice of sacrifice during the Aryan Civilization showed how arduous the process was in order to please the god(s), even in situations like sacrificing their loved ones. Sacrifice during the Vedic Age pleased Agni, the god of sacrifice and fire, and was highly respected by many Hindus because he was a significant part of their lives, therefore, they would be willing to endure the process.

The Indus Valley Civilization and the coming of the Aryans is the start of ancient India. The Indus Valley Civilization had flourished from around 2500 B.C. to about 1500 B.C. The Indus Valley has a larger geographical reach than Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Indus civilization’s economy was based on a very well organized agriculture. At first, farming settlements began around 4000 BCE, and around 3000 BCE there appeared the first signs of urbanization. By around 2600 BCE, many of the towns and cities had been established. Between around 2500-2000 BCE the civilization had reached its peak.

In ancient Hindu culture, there existed a caste system with five levels of classes. The Brahmin, the priests, were the highest and had considerable importance because of their religious ties. Below them were the Kshatriyas, or the warrior class, who were more

The article “How Does India’s Caste System Work” states that “Sanskrit texts from the second millennium BC refer to a practice of dividing individuals into social groups called “varnas - the term’s precise meaning is unclear but it seems not only to suggest classification

            The internal divisions and complexes hierarchy of the Indian society served an important social function.  The system provided each individual with a clear identity and role and offered the benefits of group solidarity and support.  Certain interactions and behaviors were appropriate only between those of equal status. The system assured that the religious, political, and financial powers were all separated into four different social classes (Bulliet, et. 2011).

C- As we learned in class, the Hindu sacred scriptures equal over two hundred. They are classified as Shruti or Smriti. Shruti means “that which is heard”, Sanjay explained that the Shruti scriptures were passed down through generations and then preserved into Sanskrit, also Shruti is heard or revealed to sages in their highest state of consciousness. They also include the Four Vedas, Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. As for Smriti, it means “that which is remembered- traditions”. Smriti it has two parts, the essence form Shruit’s and human thoughts for a particular time and place. Some of the more important texts are: Bhagavad Gita, Dharma Shastras, Epics, Puranas, Agamas and Tantras, and Darshanas.