How was society shaped by the introduction of the caste system?
Different classes:
In ancient India, the different occupational groups were called, varnas. There were four varnas or classes which were determined by economic and occupational lines. Spiritual leaders and teachers were called Brahmins. Warriors and nobility were called Kshatriyas. Merchants and producers were called Vaishyas. Laborers were called Sudras. |
The Untouchables:
In Hinduism there is actually a fifth class beside the varnas, these people were outcasts. They literally had to do all the dirty work, like dealing with sewage, animals and disease and therefore were called the "Untouchables". Brahmins were considered the most pure form of people and untouchables the dirtiest and therefore lowest class. Physical contact between the two groups was absolutely prohibited. |
Fight against a long standing tradition:
The caste system does still exist but it is now officially illegal to discriminate against a lower caste. The country has enacted many laws to protect people from lower social economic groups. Through theses reforms, Untouchables or as they are now called " Dalits", have been able to get better education, work and even been elected to political office. Mahatma Ghandi in particular worked relentlessly to loosen the barrier of the caste system. |
How was family life influenced by the caste system?
Family was the most basic unit of Indian society. It was not uncommon for three generations – grandparents, parents, and children – to live under one roof. The family was patriarchal (led by the oldest male), who held legal authority over every member of the family. Indians believed in the superiority of the male over the female; only males could inherit property (there were sometimes exceptions if there were no sons). Women could not be priests and were rarely educated. Upper-class men were not supposed to marry until they completed 12 years of study. Men could take a second wife if the first did not bear children. Marriages were arranged by the parents and girls often married very young. Children were important because they were expected to take care of their parents as they grew older. The most vivid symbol of male dominance was the ritual of suttee, where women were expected to throw themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre (fire) and thus die with their husbands.
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What was india's advantage in trading with other countries and what contacts did they make?
India maintained cultural relations with Rome, Greece China and Egypt. Pearls, silk, spices, gold and silver used to be sent from Indian ports. Cities in India were situated along major river systems and coastal areas where people could control the movement of goods and raw materials along the trade routes. Since overland trade was almost impossible during monsoon season shipping from Indian ports via ocean became a more suitable way of transport. Alexandria was a great centre of trade between India and western countries.
From the 16th century, European powers from Portugal, Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom established strong trading posts in India. Later, they took advantage of internal conflicts and established colonies in the India. |
How did the many different invasions by different countries and conflict shape India?
India faced numerous foreign invasions, invaders settled in the country and
got absorbed in the Indian way of life creating some kind of coexistence between
various cultures in different periods.
New Empires 327 BC – 300 BC. Between 1500 and 400 BC, the Aryans were unable to unify India. After 400 BC,India was invaded by Persia, Greece, and Macedonia. .The most effective invasion came from Alexander the Great in 327 BC. The map shows the extent of Alexander’s empire. Alexander wanted to conquer all of India, but his soldiers refused to continue. He left India and the Mauryan Dynasty was able to unite most of India afterwards but also collapsed after the death of its leader in 232 BC. New kingdoms developed but the Kush Kingdom really profited from the trade which passed through their land. Goods were moved between China and the Mediterranean through mountains of northwest India. It was called the "Silk Road" because silk was China's the most precious product.
got absorbed in the Indian way of life creating some kind of coexistence between
various cultures in different periods.
New Empires 327 BC – 300 BC. Between 1500 and 400 BC, the Aryans were unable to unify India. After 400 BC,India was invaded by Persia, Greece, and Macedonia. .The most effective invasion came from Alexander the Great in 327 BC. The map shows the extent of Alexander’s empire. Alexander wanted to conquer all of India, but his soldiers refused to continue. He left India and the Mauryan Dynasty was able to unite most of India afterwards but also collapsed after the death of its leader in 232 BC. New kingdoms developed but the Kush Kingdom really profited from the trade which passed through their land. Goods were moved between China and the Mediterranean through mountains of northwest India. It was called the "Silk Road" because silk was China's the most precious product.
After Persia overran the Kush Kingdom a new state was made in the Ganges valley- the Gupta Kingdom ( ca 320-470 BC) became the dominant political force, northern India was united.That period is also known as the " Golden Age of India" because during that time Indian culture, civilisation and religion spread all over Asia. The Gupta empire traded with China, Asia, and the Mediterranean. They also encouraged religious pilgrims to come visit the major religious centers for Hinduism and Buddhism. The Guptas were eventually defeated by the Huns and Northern India would not be reunited for hundreds of years. The Muslims invaded India in the 12th century before
The Mughal Empire ( 1526-1858) established a kingdom in Northern India. This period saw forts, mosques, tombs and palaces being built. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India was built for a Mughal emperor’s favorite wife. |
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In the 17-18th century India was ruled by the British Empire When the Mughal Empire fell, India was divided by different cultures and languages- this made it difficult for the Indians to unite. The British introduced western education and tried to convert the Indians to Christianity. The Indians resented the British interference, they felt discriminated against because the British held all government jobs. The first war of Independence was in 1857. |
HOW DID THE INDIAN PEOPLE REACT TO THE COLONISATION?
On the negative side:
The Indian independence movement. It united a lot of Indians and liberated the region from British rule . A lot of rebellions took place between 1857 and India emerged as a unified nation-state on August 15,1947. |
What was the key to india's independence and who were the significant contributors?
Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
sacrificed their lives for the freeing the nation from the
reigns of the British. Many nationalist movements were launched
and together as one was finally successful in driving the
British away. India gained her independence from the British on
15th August, 1947.
Mahatma Ghandi.
Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel sacrificed their lives for the freeing the nation from the reigns of the British. Many nationalist movements were launched and together as one was finally successful in driving the British away. India gained her independence from the British on 15th August, 1947.
One of the greatest men in the history of India is unarguably Mahatma Gandhi. The way he gave shape and character to India's freedom struggle is worthy of a standing ovation. He sacrificed his own life for the sake of his country. The respect that he earned for himself despite leading a simple lifestyle is much appreciable. Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle of India. Like other great men in history, Gandhi took his time to grow and develop, to ensure that his actions made an impact. His faith in different religions was commendable. His listened to the teachings of Christianity with the same belief and faith he read the Hindu scriptures with. He was honest and truthful and this helped him throughout his life. |
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Independence and Partition:
Religious tension between the Hindus and Muslims had been brewing over the years, especially in provinces like Punjab and West Bengal. All through this Mahatma Gandhi called for unity among the two religious groups. The British, whose economy had been weakened after World War-II, decided to leave India and paved the way for the formation of an interim government. Eventually, the British Indian territories gained independence in 1947, after being partitioned into the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan.
Religious tension between the Hindus and Muslims had been brewing over the years, especially in provinces like Punjab and West Bengal. All through this Mahatma Gandhi called for unity among the two religious groups. The British, whose economy had been weakened after World War-II, decided to leave India and paved the way for the formation of an interim government. Eventually, the British Indian territories gained independence in 1947, after being partitioned into the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan.