PowerPoint Presentation

Aryan Invasion Theory and the Origins of Hinduism

Warm upWhat happened in class yesterday?

Central Historical QuestionHow did the Aryans influence Hinduism?

Aryan Invasion TheoryThe debate Two centuries old!Argument 1 Aryans came to India from outside and wrote the Rig Veda around 1200-1000 B.C.E. Evidence: LanguageArgument 2 Aryans were indigenous to India and from India they spread to different lands in the west. These historians say the Rig Veda was written around 5000 B.C.E.Evidence: Archaeology

Where did the Aryan Invasion Theory come from?

In 1584 an Italian merchant in Goa, India, learned Sanskrit and recognized that it was similar to Greek and LatinAryan Invasion Theory created by historians in the 19th centurySome critics argue the issue was exploited for political reasonsEx. British colonial rulers in India

The ResearchLinguists (language scholars) dominated Vedic studies in the 19th centuryArchaeologists began researching this topic in the 20th centuryArchaeological discoveries in recent years has made the debate more interesting

Meet the historians!Dr. Peter StearnsAmerican HistorianBorn 1936Received his PhD in History from Harvard Professor at George Mason UniversityFounded the Journal of Social HistoryDeveloped a pioneering approach to teaching world history

Dr. Padma ManianB.A. from Madras University, India and Ph.D. in History from Miami UniversityProfessor of history, San Jose City CollegeProfessor of history, San Jose State University Contributor to The History Teacher peer-reviewed journalNo Photo AvailableDr. M. K. DhavalikarBorn 1930, India. Ph.D. in Archaeology from University of Poona in Ancient Indian Culture and ArchaeologyLecturer at the Nagpur University in Ancient Indian History Culture and ArchaeologyProfessor at Deccan College in Ancient Indian History Culture and ArchaeologyNo Photo Available

Dr. Klaus KlostermaierBorn 1933, Munich, GermanyNationality CanadianPhD in philosophy from the Gregorian University in Rome and PhD in Ancient Indian History and Culture from the University of BombayResearcher on Hinduism and Indian history and cultureKnown for: Sanskrit and Hindu ScholarTitle: University Distinguished Professor Emeritus

Recognizing Perspective

Which Aryan theory does this historian believe?India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europes languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all.Will Durant, American Historian

Synthesizing Historians PerspectivesWrite a 5-7 sentencePrompt: How did the Aryans influence Hinduism? Answer this question by explaining the Aryan Invasion Theory and citing evidence from at least two historians you learned about today.

Rubric 10 points possibleDefinition of the Aryan Invasion TheoryStrong definition (2)Definition needs improvement (1)No definition (0)Incorporation of two historians perspectives and quotesIncorporated two historians (2) Incorporated one historian (1)Did not incorporate historians (0)Use of evidence to support claimsStrong use of evidence (2)Needs more evidence (1)Included no evidence (0)Academic language Strong academic language (2) Academic language needs improvement (1)No academic language (0)GrammarLess than two grammar mistakes (2)Two-five grammar mistakes (1)More than five grammar mistakes (0)Wrap-upWhy does it matter who started Hinduism? How does todays lesson illustrate cultural diffusion?

Think about itHow can thinking critically about the source of information you read or hear help you outside the classroom?