Ancient India Social Class Structure

India's Caste System and Timeline

Mr. LeBlanc - World History​

(​Indus River Valley)

Multiple Choice

"The belief that the soul is eternal and is reborn in different life cycles" describes which term?

• Yoga

• Karma

• Reincarnation

• Caste System

Quick Recap - Ancient India

• Time period of Ancient India is also known as the "Harappan period" or Indus River Valley Civilization".

​

• Ancient India developed along the Indus River, just like Mesopotamia and Egypt developed along rivers.

Caste System

​

​Untouchables: Lowest level of Indian Society. Jobs included collecting trash or dead bodies. Life was difficult and were treated inhumanely.

Caste System

​

​Untouchables: Lowest level of Indian Society. Jobs included collecting trash or dead bodies. Life was difficult and were treated inhumanely.

Sudras: Largest population of Indians. Most worked manual labor jobs and had limited rights in society.

Caste System

​

​Untouchables: Lowest level of Indian Society. Jobs included collecting trash or dead bodies. Life was difficult and were treated inhumanely.

Sudras: Largest population of Indians. Most worked manual labor jobs and had limited rights in society.

Vaisyas: Merchants and farmers. Lived challenging lives but more rights than Sudras.

Caste System

​

​Untouchables: Lowest level of Indian Society. Jobs included collecting trash or dead bodies. Life was difficult and were treated inhumanely.

Sudras: Largest population of Indians. Most worked manual labor jobs and had limited rights in society.

Vaisyas: Merchants and farmers. Lived challenging lives but more rights than Sudras.

Kshatriyas: Warriors and military leaders.

Caste System

​

​Untouchables: Lowest level of Indian Society. Jobs included collecting trash or dead bodies. Life was difficult and were treated inhumanely.

Sudras: Largest population of Indians. Most worked manual labor jobs and had limited rights in society.

Vaisyas: Merchants and farmers. Lived challenging lives but more rights than Sudras.

Kshatriyas: Warriors and military leaders.

Brahmin:

Leaders in

religious ceremonies.

Top position in hierarchy.​

Caste System

​

​Untouchables: Lowest level of Indian Society. Jobs included collecting trash or dead bodies. Life was difficult and were treated inhumanely.

Sudras: Largest population of Indians. Most worked manual labor jobs and had limited rights in society.

Vaisyas: Merchants and farmers. Lived challenging lives but more rights than Sudras.

Kshatriyas: Warriors and military leaders.

Brahmin:

Leaders in

religious ceremonies.

Top position in hierarchy.​

Open Ended

Which caste has the smallest population? Why?

Multiple Choice

If you were alive in Ancient India, how would your caste be determined?

• By how hard you worked.

• By your intelligence.

• By your physical strength.

• By the family you were born into.

Multiple Choice

True or False?

It was nearly impossible to change your caste.

• True

• False

Sujatha Gidla's "Ants Among Elephants"

As you watch the video, ask yourself:

1. What caste was Sujatha in?

2. How does Sujatha feel about her job in New York City?

3. Why does Sujatha have negative feelings about the caste system?​

Open Ended

How long did Siddartha Guatama live?