The Aryans arrived in India around 1500 BC from Central Asia. With their superior iron weapons and horse-drawn chariots, they were able to conquer the Indus River Valley peoples. The Aryans then introduced their religion of Hinduism to India and established the caste system, which divided society into rigid social classes based on birth. Under the caste system, the Untouchables performed the lowest jobs and were considered beneath all other groups. Hindus also believed that people's souls were reborn after death into different castes as a reward or punishment for their deeds in a past life.

1. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
Name _________________________ Date _____________
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.

2. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
Introduction To New Material
HINDUISM
Origins
Beliefs
Important
Texts
Major
Deities/Gods
Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

3. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
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

4. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
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: ______________________
Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

5. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
“ 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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Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

6. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
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: ______________
Exit Ticket
How was Indian society impacted and changed after the introduction of Hinduism into the civilization?:
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Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS
"Hinduism is the mother of all religions" - Swami
Vivekananda.

7. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
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Name: _______________________________________ Date: _______________
Homework 1.13
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?
Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

8. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
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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