Harappan Civilization, Indo-Aryans, and Early Hinduism: Key Concepts and Societal Structures

Harappan Civilization

An early South Asian civilization associated with the Indus River region and planned cities.

Harappa

A major Harappan city.

Mohenjo-Daro

A major Harappan city known for planning, drainage, and sewers.

Harappan citadel

A fortified elevated area within Harappan cities.

Harappan urban planning

Grid-pattern streets, organized housing, drainage systems, and sewers.

Harappan seals

Seals that provide evidence about Harappan society and writing.

Harappan decline

Harappan cities were abandoned around 1700 BCE; ecological degradation was discussed as a possible factor.

Dravidians

The indigenous northern Indian population discussed in the lecture.

Indo-European languages

Languages descended from a common ancestral language; the notes place the likely homeland in the steppes of modern Ukraine/southern Russia.

Aryans/Indo-Aryans

Indo-European-speaking pastoral/nomadic peoples who migrated into northern India.

Aryan migration

Movement of Indo-European-speaking peoples into northern India, where they interacted and intermarried with Dravidians.

Horses and chariots

Technologies associated with Aryan military advantages.

Raja

A local king or ruler in early South Asian society.

Sanskrit

The language in which the Vedas were composed.

Vedas

Sacred Sanskrit texts dating to about 1500 BCE that became foundational to early Hinduism.

Indra

A major deity in the Vedic tradition.

Brahmanic Age

A period around 700 BCE when Brahmins and ritual practices became especially important.

Brahmins

The highest varna, associated with priests and ritual.

Kshatriya

The varna associated with rulers and warriors.

Vaishya

The varna associated with producers and merchants.

Sudra

The varna below Vaishya in the traditional hierarchy.

Harijan/Untouchable

A term in the notes for people placed outside the four main varnas.

Varna

The four-part social classification of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra.

Caste system

A hierarchical social system whose divisions became more rigid over time.

Karma

The principle connecting actions with consequences and future status.

Dharma

Duties and responsibilities associated with one's social position.

Early Hinduism

Religious traditions developing from Vedic and Brahmanic practices, including Vedas, ritual, karma, and dharma.