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1.13: Hindu Religion 9th Grade Social Studies

Do Now: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Remember, FORMAT MATTERS!

Why were the Aryans able to conquer India?

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How did the Aryans transform Indian society?

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"I Believe In The Fire Of Love And The Sweat Of Truth" – Assata Shakur

Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

About 1500 B.C., a people from Central Asia known as the Aryans arrived in India. The Aryans with their iron weapons and horse-drawn chariots, were excellent warriors. After conquering the peoples of the Indus River Valley, the Aryans moved into the Ganges River Valley, pushing the people living there further south.

The Aryans brought their own religion to India, known as Hinduism. The Aryan conquest of India also led to the creation of a new social system, known as the caste system. Under this system, people were divided into five main social classes. Caste lines were rigid and based on birth. People were not permitted to marry outside their caste.

One group of people were labeled the Untouchables. Untouchables were considered to be beneath all other social groups. They performed the lowliest tasks in society, such as sweeping the streets and cleaning up animal droppings. Hindus believed that people’s souls were continually reborn. One’s birth in a particular caste was therefore a punishment or reward for deeds in a past life.

Lesson Objective: SWBAT explain how Hinduism and the Aryan invasion transformed Indian society.

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Introduction To New Material

HINDUISM

Origins

Beliefs

Important Texts

Major Deities/Gods

Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

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Guided Practice

Indian Caste System

Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

Egypt India

THINK CRITICALLY! How do you think the belief in reincarnation could strengthen the use of the Caste System?

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Directions: Use the circular graphic organizer to list similarities and differences between the Egyptian and Indian social class systems

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Independent Practice

Name: ______________________

Name That Caste!

Read the statement from a member of Indian society. Determine which caste or social classification this person belongs.

“ In our caste, people have jobs as laborers, including street sweepers, tanners and washers. We live very simply in this caste. One unfortunate part of being in this caste is that we are not allowed to study the sacred Vedas books.”

Caste: ______________________

“We are known as the ‘possessors of Sacred Knowledge’. My occupation within the caste is government minister. Other people in my caste are priests or teachers of law. If you are in this caste, you must study the sacred books known as the Vedas. You must also be a vegetarian and not eat meat. We believe that eating meat will hurt your soul.”

Caste: ______________________

“We are known as the “commoners” because people of the caste are most common in India. The people of my caste are farmers, merchants and traders. Our caste is required to give money to the poor of our country. This is called ‘almsgiving’. We believe this will help our souls to gain in Karma.”

Caste: ______________________

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“ I was born into the lowest class in India and is not even considered a caste. People like me do jobs that people from other castes would not do. They work at removing dead animals from the village, and handling waste and garbage. Life is very hard. We are treated badly and we must live in a place that is outside of the village.”

Caste: ______________________

“We are known as the “Holders of Authority”. My occupation is an officer in the army of India. Other people in my caste are land-owning noblemen. We cannot perform unclean acts such as cleaning the hides of animals or plowing fields. By not doing these things, we will remain pure.”

Caste: ______________________

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My caste: __________________________________

How I know this was my caste: ____________________________________________________

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Name: ___________________________________Date: ______________

Exit Ticket

Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

"Hinduism is the mother of all religions" - Swami Vivekananda.

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How was Indian society impacted and changed after the introduction of Hinduism into the civilization?:

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Name: ___________________________________ Date: ______________

Exit Ticket

How was Indian society impacted and changed after the introduction of Hinduism into the civilization?:

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Name: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Homework 1.13

Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

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Directions: Answer the questions based off of the reading on the reverse side. Remember, FORMAT MATTERS!

1. Who were the Aryans?

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2. What is the caste system?

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3. What do Hindus believe about Brahman?

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4. How do Hindus believe people become joined forever with Brahman?

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An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.- Martin Luther King Jr.

Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS