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3 Indo-Aryan Migration: Waves of migration into the Indus Valley from people from Eastern Europe & Central Asia. Indus valley people were made up of local, dark skinned & curly hair people called Dasas Aryan people were lighter skinned, straighter haired and brought with them the language Sanskrit. Sanskrit- The sacred language of Hinduism

4 Aryans Called themselves Noble Ones Composed sacred literature known as the Veda (oldest scripture in Sanskrit; basis of Hinduism) Brought with them advancements such as the chariot and the introduction of the horse. Vedas contain elements to the caste system Caste system- The organization of class structure determined by birth

5 Caste System Created by the Aryans Way of control Only way out of the caste system was to practice your Dharmaduties or obligations to your inherited caste. If duties were complete, you could reincarnate to another being in a higher position. Reincarnation- Rebirth of a soul to a new body.

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7 Central god and one of the 3 primary deities Described as a pale blue being with a dark complexion and having 4 arms. Holds a lotus flower on his lower left hand Hold a club/mace on his lower right hand Conch in his upper left hand Discus weapon (most powerful weapon) upper right hand VISHNU

8 Vishnu reclining on his serpent, Vishnu Temple, Deogarh, 500CE High relief sculpture found in the Vishnu temple doorway Depicts god Vishnu reclining upon a serpent. An eagle shelters him like a parasol. God Brahma (who creates the world) sits on a lotus that emerges from Vishnu s navel

9 Vishnu reclining on his serpent, Vishnu Temple, Deogarh, 500CE Below: 2 demons are kept in check by his personifications Symbols to identify them (from left to right) the club, discus, shield, and sword. Represents the myth that Vishnu comes down from heaven on a divine eagle to strike down a water serpent who is threatening his devotee. He strikes the serpent with his discus of destruction.

10 Dancing Shiva (Nataraja), South India, 970CE, Bronze. Shiva depicted as a cosmic dancer ready to destroy the universe so that a new creation can begin. Shiva depicted dancing in a circle of flames lifting the right leg while balancing over a demon or dwarf who symbolizes ignorance. lower right forearm contains an uncoiling cobra Upper right arm hold a small drum shaped like an hourglass. This symbolizes creation or beat of the drum is the passage of time.

11 Dancing Shiva (Nataraja), South India, 970CE, Bronze. Upper left hand contains fire, signifies destruction 2 nd right hand shows the Abhaya mudra which means fearlessness 2 nd left hand points to the raised foot which means upliftment or liberation. Shiva is shown with long matted hair that is knotted in the flames. Stoic or calm face= being in balance or neutrality

12 DURGA Durga is the principal form of the Goddess also known as Shakti and Devi. She is a warrior goddess associated with creation, preservation, and annihilation She was created by Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu to kill the buffalo demon Mahisasura

13 Durga fighting the buffalo demon, Mahishamardini cave, Mamallapuram, CE Located in a rock cut temple in Mamallapuram Depicts the story of Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahisasura She is seen riding a lion chasing the buffalo demon with weapons

14 Durga fighting the buffalo demon, Mahishamardini cave, Mamallapuram, CE Mahisasura considered himself invincible because he felt it was impossible for a woman to defeat him. Durga is shown riding into battle holding onto celestial weapons such as arrows, trident, sword, spear, and others. She shoots Mahisasura with arrows then jumps off of lion and beheads Mahisasura with her trident.

15 Kandariya Temple, Khajuraho, CE This temple is dedicated to Shiva and is considered the largest and most sculpted temple of its kind The temple contains sculpted images of about 650 figures Each figure is sculpted in high relief and is about half life size Shaped like a mountain or hill to symbolize Mount Meru- the sacred mountain that is the center of the universe.

16 Kandariya Temple, Khajuraho, CE The exterior figures are arranged in horizontal bands or friezes-a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling. The sculptures depict gods and goddesses as well as figures in erotic yoga positions. Sexual desire and love are considered one of the goals of life in Hinduism and it is called Kama.

17 The garden contains hundreds of flowers that bloom at different times of the season and is sometimes referred to the Garden of Paradise Taj Mahal, Agra, Built by emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal The white marble tomb is located in a 42 acre compound which also includes a mosque and an intricate garden

18 Taj Mahal, Agra, The mausoleum contains Islamic symbols such as minarets or pillars that signify the 5 pillars of Islam In the gateway arch, a visitor is greeted with a verse from the Koran inlaid with black marble. Exterior of the Taj Mahal is highly decorated with images of vegetation, abstract forms, and calligraphy.