Tag: Aztec

I had written on Aztecs , Mexico and in Central America.

I mentioned that the term Aztec ,

‘AZTEC OF MEXICO is derived from “worshipper of Ashtabhuja or Ashtak ( 8 armed ) ” , the eight armed God- found in Mexican temples.’

Hindu Trinity – Brahma- Vishnu- Shiva and the Mexican Trinity are Ho- Huitzilopochtli- Tlaloc …

The idols were represented with serpents round their heads, as for Lord Shiva.-basically raised Kundalini.

The Swastika sign of this area , seen on a “huaco” pot had with four dots inside, a Vedic sign .

The ancient American’s dresses (male and female) were simple and similar to those of Hindu dresses.

Aztec Kingdom.

Ayar Inoa King used to wear a turban, earring and a trishul type trident in his hand…

A festival called Sita-Ram (Situa – Raimi) was celebrated in Mexico during Nav-Ratri or Dussehra period which has been described on page 5867 in the book ‘Hamsworth History of the World’.  ( read my post0

Both in Central and South America, there are found Sati cremation, priesthood, gurukul system, yajna, birth, marriage and death ceremonies to some extent similar to the Hindus. When Pizarro killed Peruvian King Atahualpa his 4 wives committed Sati—or self sacrifice..

Caste system among Aztecs, AS in Hinduism,

“From child-birth to cremation and Sati the Astecs observed almost all Hindu rituals including the Gurukula system of education followed in India. The Incas of Peru with Ayar Brahman ancestry observed the sacred thread ceremony, the ear-piercing ceremony all other Hindu rituals and rigidly observed the caste systems of India. It is not without reason that the Spanish author Lopez says in his book Le Races Aryans de Peru : “”Every page of peruvian poetry bears the imprint of Ramayana and Mahabharata.’..

People in Aztec society had clearly defined roles. These roles, along with social class, determined how Aztec men and women lived. Aztec society was organized into groups called calpullis (kahl-POOH-yees). A calpulli was a community of families that shared land, schools, and a temple. Each calpulli elected a leader who took orders from the king.

The Upper Class

Kings and Nobles

The king was the most important person in Aztec society. He lived in a great palace that had gardens, a zoo, and an aviary full of beautiful birds. Some 3,000 servants attended to his every need. Of these servants, 300 did nothing but tend to the animals in the zoo, and 300 more tended to the birds in the aviary! Other servants fed and entertained the emperor.

The king was in charge of law, trade and tribute, and warfare. These were huge responsibilities, and the king couldn’t have managed them without people to help. These people, including tax collectors and judges, were Aztec nobles. Noble positions were passed down from fathers to their sons. As a result, young nobles went to special schools to learn the responsibilities they would face as government officials, military leaders, or priests.

Priests and Warriors

Just below the king and his nobles were priests and warriors. Priests in particular had a great influence over Aztecs’ lives. They had many duties in society, including:

• keeping calendars and deciding when to plant crops or perform ceremonies,

• passing down Aztec history and stories to keep their tradition alive,

• performing various religious ceremonies, including human sacrifice.

Aztec warriors also had many duties. They fought fiercely to capture victims for religious sacrifices. Partly because they played this role in religious life, warriors had many privileges and were highly respected. Warriors were also respected for the wealth they brought to the empire. They fought to conquer new lands and people, bringing more tribute and trade goods to enrich the Aztec civilization.

The Middle Class

Not really members of the upper class, merchants and artisans fell just below priests and warriors in Aztec society. Merchants gathered goods from all over Mesoamerica and sold them in the main market. By controlling trade in the empire, they became very rich. Many used their wealth to build large, impressive houses and to send their sons to special schools.

Like merchants, most artisans were also rich and important. They made goods like beautiful feather headdresseMachu pichuMachs and gold jewelry that they could sell at high prices. Many of the richest artisans lived in Tenochtitlan. Other artisans, who lived outside the capital and made items for everyday use, lived more like the lower class. Artisans from other tribes often sent crafts to the Aztecs as tribute.

The Lower Class

Farmers and slaves were in the lower class of Aztec society. However, some people could improve their lives and positions by becoming warriors in the army or studying at special schools.

Most of the empire’s people were farmers who grew maize, beans, and a few other crops. Farmers did not own their land, and they were very poor. They had to pay so much in tribute that they often found it tough to survive. Farmers lived outside Tenochtitlán in huts made of sticks and mud and wore rough capes.

No one in the Aztec Empire suffered as much as slaves did. Most of the slaves had been captured in battle or couldn’t pay their debts. Slaves had little to look forward to. Most were sold as laborers to nobles or merchants. Slaves who disobeyed orders were sacrificed to the gods.

Hinduism         Aztecs

Brahmins         Priests

Kshatriya        Kings/Warriors/Nobles( In Hindusim all the three are included in Kshatriya)

Vaisya            Merchants, Artisans,Farmers( Vaisya includes these sub groups)

Sudra              Slaves( Sudras were not treated as Slaves in Hinduism)

Citations.

https://mrgrayhistory.wikispaces.com/UNIT+9+-+AZTECS+%26+INCAS

http://vedicempire.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=9

https://ramanisblog.in/2015/03/31/asthabuhjaeight-armed-devi-worshiped-in-mexico/

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