“THE ARYANS“

Presented by:
Muhammad Irshad
M.Phil Pak Studies’ Scholar (2nd Semester) PSC, UOP
 THE ARYANS & THEIR ARRIVAL IN
INDIA
• Meaning of word “Aryan“:
The word "Aryan" means "Beautiful & Attractive People". As the Aryan had fair complexions and they were tall and strong people as compared to the local people of India,
therefore they were called “Aryans“.
• Origion of Aryans:
Historians differ about the origin of Aryans but most of them think that Aryans came from Central Asia and spread in Asia and Europe. Some other historians consider
their origin in Tibet and Himalaya Regions. From there due to severe cold, these people went to Asia and Europe. Evidence shows that Bactrea in Central Asia was their
original area, from where they came to Balkh (Atghanistan) and then spread in three directions.
• Due to over population and shortage of resources one group went to Europe and settled down there. The second went to lran and the third came to Indo-Pak through
Khyber, Khojak passes and Sulaiman mountain almost 1800 BCE. They are called Indus Aryans. In the beginnynig, Aryans settled down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and
Punjab.They had been nomads wandering with their flocks of animals across of Central Asia . They were stonger than Dravidians and used weapons made of Bronze
and, later, Iron. They had Chariots ( two wheeled horse-drawn vehicle) for warfare, they defeated the peaceful Dravidians. Some of the Dravidians were killed, some
made slaves and some fled to other parts of subcontinent.
• Aryans moved towards East and spread in the whole of Northern India.
• Language of Aryans was Sanskrit.
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 THE EFFECTS OF THE ARRIVAL OF
ARYANS ON LOCAL POPULATION
• When the Aryans entered the northern passes of Indo-Pak and settled down there, they forced out the local people from their native
regions.They occupied several regions of present day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. When their populations grew, then they sp read in the
eastern parts of India.
• They became farmers & started living in the fertile valley of Ganges and Yamuna.The Aryans pushed the ancient people of Indo -Pak towards
the South.They made most of them slaves and called them “Daas“ Some of them took refuge in nearby mountains and other merged in the
new Aryan Civilization. Aryans established their states upto north-east India and Deccan.
• When they had settled down in the country they divided people into four groups, or castes based on their occupations:
1. At the top were the Brahmins, who were the priests.
2. The next caste included the kings, soldiers, and leaders: these were called Kshatriyas.
3. Below them were the craftsmen, officials merchants, and farmers; they were known as the Vaishyas.
4. Still lower were the ordinary workers,servants, and labourers; they were called Shudras.
• THE EARLY VEDIC PERIOD OF ARYANS (1750- 1100 B.C.E)
In the history of Indo-Pak, Early vedic period is that when Aryans were living in the north west of India & during this time their sacred book
“Rig-Veda” was written. This book describes the way of life of the Aryans of that period.
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND RELIGIOUS
SYSTEMS OF ARYANS
• POLITICAL LIFE:
• The study of Rig-veda indicates that during the Vedic Period of Aryans, their political life
was very simple and they used to live in the forms of tribes. The basic unit of their political
system was family. Families formed tribes, then tribes constituted a state. The head of the
state was called “Rajan” a word which later became “Raja”.
• Family…..>> Tribe…..>> State
• The Raja was supposed to be the custodian of his state. He had limited powers and he used
to respect the public opinion. The Rajas lived in beautiful houses and used to wear colourful
bright dresses. His parliament had two chambers. The house of commons was called
"Samethi". The other house consisted of influential and religious people was called
"Sabbah".
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SOCIAL LIFE
The Aryan was divided into many tribes. Every tribe had a male elder as their head. Their social life was based on family as a
base unit. All family members used to live in their comnon houses. For burning a fire, a special area in the house was built.The
people used to wear dresses made of cotton or wool. The women had in their use Golden and Silver ornaments. Aryans used
to eat vegetables, grains, wheat and milk. Carpenters and blacksmiths had high respect in the Aryans society. Similarly the
women had a great respect. Widows were allowed to re-marry.
THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM
Aryans liked to live in small villages, as their living was based on cattle farming and agriculture. Cows and bull carts were
considered wealth of a family. In the beginning, Barter Trade was in use. Later on, the cow was accepted as a unit for
exchange, as the Aryans used to exchange things with cows. There was no tax system. People used to give a portion of their
produces to the Raja. Besides that, gifts, fines, tributes or plunders of wars were the other sources of the income of a state. All
this income was spent on the defence of the state and other requirements. Although the Aryans were basically
agriculturists, they also knew manufacturing of goods and trade. With the passage of time, many changes occurred in the life
style of the Aryans.
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• RELIGIOUS LIFE OF ARYANS
• The early generations of Aryans believed in one God only. Later on they began worship of signs
of nature: sun, moon, fire, air and water which were given a status of god or godesses. During
Vedic Period, the religion of Aryans was very simple. They had neither Mandirs (temples) as
places of worship nor Brahmans as their leaders. Some of their gods or godesses were Surya
(Sun god), Agni (Fire god), Darnua (Sky god), Inder (rain and storm god) and Wayo (Air god).
• Aryans used to choose a god or godess according to their wish and need and then used to
worship him/her. To please their favourite god or goddess, they used to present them grains, fruit
and animals. Alongside belief in these gods/godesses, but their religious book Reg-Ved also
indicates their idea of single God. With the passage of time, many changes occurred in the
religion of the Aryans and they came under the influence of Brahmans who imposed their
religious monopoly over them.
 Hinduism
• The word Hindu is derived from the Sansikrat word Sindu, whichmeans
Sind-River (river Indus). In Rig-Veds, the land of Indus Aryans wascalled
"Sapta Sindu‘’ which means the "Land of Seven Rivers”. These rivers
included river Indus.
• Those people who believe in god/godesses as representative of one God
and also accept Hindu scredbooks and live according to Hindu religious laws,
are called Hindus. The modern period of Hinduism began in 1500 B.C.E.
• Aryans are the real ancestors of Hindus.
 SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
HINDUISM
• The oldest book of Hinduism is Rig-Veda. Hindu spiritual law developed in several
periods. The Hindu place of worship is called Mandir (temple). Hindus also worship
at their houses. Most of Hindus go to their Mandirs at the time of their religious
festivals.
• They offer their worship regularly. Usually after taking a bath early in the morning,
they light candles and present some food to their god/ godesses. They read their
religious books and then meditate for a while. Hindus celebrate several festivals,
particularly in line with seasons, such as Besaki, Dusehra, Deewali (the festival of
lights) and Holi (the festival of colours). Hinduism has several factions.
• Caste System of Hindus
The End

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