Cultural History of Northern India

Cultural History of Northern India

1. India's three native religions were founded within this context

   • Jainism
   • Hinduism
   • Buddhism

2. Indus Valley Civilisation

   • Civilisation dating back to 2500BCE
   • Religion which worshipped forces of nature
     • Domestic religion
   • Aryan invasion introduced their own culture

3. Vedic Culture

   • Key root to Hinduism
   • Based on group of scriptures called Vedas (knowledge)
     • Written in Sanskrit
       • Only understood by elites
     • Worshipped many gods
     • Sacrificed animals to ask gods for favours, but also to entreat them into playing their role in the cosmic order
   • Hierarchical structure based on Hymn
     • Cosmic man
     • Brahmins (priests) Kshatriyas (warriors) Vaishyas (farmers) Shudras (servants)
       • Only three higher classes were allowed to practise religion
   • Political organisation
     • Kingdoms were sometimes only villages
     • Leaders were elected by small groups of elders
       • Buddha was democratic
     • Stable which helped religious developments

4. Society

   • Introduction of iron plough shares and other tools created agricultural surplusses
     • Introduction of traders had no place in old caste system
   • Urbanisation & first use of money