Vedic age - pg: 208 Flashcards
What do the Veda still us about Aryan life?
The rig veda and other sacred texts provide a record of not only the aryans gods but also of the people themselves. Most of what we know about the Aryans on the Indian subcontinent comes from the Vedas.
What animals did the earliest Aryans raise as nomadic herders?
The earliest Aryans raised cattle, horses, sheep, and goats as nomadic herders.
Why did cattle hold special importance for the earliest Aryans?
Cattle held special importance for the earliest Aryans because their herds provided both food and clothing.
Early on, how did the aryans measure their wealth?
The Aryans measured their wealth by the size of their herds.
How did the local people contribute to the Aryans’ farming knowledge?
They taught the Aryans how to grow crops and other skills.
Who were the Aryans’ rivals in battle?
Other nearby peoples.
Why did the Aryans fight among themselves?
The Vedas do not provide a specific reason.
What activities did the Aryans enjoy in their day-to-day lives according to the Vedas?
Music, dancing, chariot races, and gambling.
What does the phrase ‘charged into battle’ mean?
They aggressively entered the battle.
Why did the Aryans have horse-drawn chariots?
To provide them with speed and mobility in battles.
What led to the Aryans taking up farming?
Living in India and mixing with local farmers.
How did settling into villages impact the Aryans’ lifestyle?
They were no longer nomadic and began to grow crops and graze animals on pastures around their villages.
Who did the Aryans go to war with?
Other nearby people and themselves.
In what way were the Aryans skilled?
as herders and warriors.
How did the Aryans go into battle?
In speedy, horse-drawn, two-wheeled chariots
What did the Vedas show about the joy of the Aryans?
They found joy in their day-to-day lives
Besides their strengths, what did the Aryans have?
Human weaknesses
What is the significance of the Aryan culture spreading eastward across the Ganges Plain?
The Aryan culture brought agriculture and civilisation to the region.
How did the republics established by the Aryans differ from true democracies?
In the republics, clan leaders made decisions instead of the entire population.
What caused the shift from republics to kingdoms on the Ganges Plain?
Powerful leaders gained control and transformed the former republics into kingdoms.
In what period did the transformation from republics to kingdoms take place in the Ganges Plain?
By 500 BC
What were the primary forms of settlement established by the Aryans in the Ganges Plain?
Farms, villages, towns, and cities.
How did Aryan civilisation impact the Ganges Plain?
It led to the development of numerous kingdoms, cities, and agricultural settlements.
What motivated the Aryans to join their clans together?
The desire for stronger governance and collective decision-making.
