Ancient India: Aryans and the Indus Valley Civilization

Aryan Economy and Resources

• Main source of wealth: Cattle, particularly cows, played a vital role in Aryan prosperity, serving as a symbol of wealth and status.
• Cattle wars: Engaged primarily to acquire livestock and assert dominance over competing tribes, reflecting social and economic priorities.

Migration and Settlement

• Period of migration: Aryans transitioned from the Sapta Sindhu region to the Indo-Gangetic plains during the early Vedic period.
• Land clearing for cultivation: Aryans utilized slash-and-burn agriculture, effectively clearing forests for farming activities.

Social Structure

• Head of the kula: The kula, or family group, was led by the eldest male, known for authority within the unit.
• Term for group of kulas: A larger collective of kulas was referred to as a "grama" in Aryan society.

Identity and Treatment of Others

• Self-identification: Aryans referred to themselves as "Arya," denoting nobility and esteem within their cultural framework.
• Treatment of defeated people: Conquered individuals were generally subjugated, often losing their rights and freedoms.

Occupational Roles

• Menial jobs: Shudras, the lowest class in Aryan society, primarily undertook menial and service-oriented tasks.
• Women's status: Women in Aryan society had limited rights, often expected to manage the household, with some roles in rituals and education.

Structural Techniques

• Architectural technique: The Aryans built houses using wooden frameworks and thatched roofs, suitable for the agrarian lifestyle in the Indo-Gangetic plains.