Ancient Civilizations: India

Ancient Civilizations:India

Geography &

Environment

• On which continent is India located?

• Asia; India is a subcontinent of Asia

The Geography

• Indian subcontinent: landmass that includes India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, & Bhutan

The Geography

• World’s tallest mountain ranges separate it from the rest of Asia

• Mountains to the north & desert to the east help protect Indus Valley from invasion

The Geography

The Geography• On which river(s) did the ancient Indians settle?

• The Indus & Ganges Rivers which form flat, fertile plains

The Indus Valley Civilization

Earliest Arrivals• About 7000 BC, evidence of

agriculture & domesticated animals; by 3200 BC, people farming in villages along Indus River

Planned Cities• By 2500 BC, people build cities of

brick laid out on a grid system• Indus valley called

Harappan civilization after Harappa, a city

• Mohenjo-Daro is another city on Indus

Planned Cities• Engineers create

plumbing & sewage systems

• Lanes separate rows of houses - which featured bathrooms!

Thinking Question…• What does the city planning and

attention to plumbing and sewer systems tell us about this ancient culture?

• Language:• Had writing

system of 400 symbols, BUT scientists can’t decipher it

Harappan Culture

• Role of religion:–priests closely linked to rulers–some religious artifacts reveal links to modern Hindu culture

• Trade:–had thriving trade with other peoples, including Mesopotamia

Harappan Culture

• Signs of decline begin around 1750 BC

• Earthquakes, floods, soil depletion may have caused decline

• Around 1500 BC, Aryans enter area & become dominant…

Harappan Decline

Clash of Cultures

The Clashing of Cultures• About 1500BC, Indo-European

people called the Aryans migrated into the Indus Valley region

The Clashing of Cultures

• The Aryans:• Were male dominated nomadic

tribes• Herded animals (cattle)• Were warriors• Had no written language

The Clashing of Cultures:• From the clash of these two

cultures came:• Religious Writings• Distinct Social Structure; the CASTE system

• Hinduism

• The VEDAS: • “Books of Knowledge”

• Songs & prayers of the Aryans – passed down through oral tradition

Religious Writings

The Caste System

• Aryans were physically distinct from people of India (lighter skin, taller)

• 4 castes, or groups based on occupation, develop to separate Aryans & non-Aryans

The Caste System

Brahmins: Priests

Kshatriyas: Rulers & Warriors

Vaishyas: Traders & Landowners, Merchants

Sudras: Laborers & Servants

Cast

e Sy

stem

Untouchables: Outcasts = outside caste system

Thinking Question:• What do these

body parts indicate about each of the 4 major castes?

• People are born into their caste for life; hundreds of subgroups arise later

• Members of higher castes were considered more pure

The Caste System

• People outside the caste system: the Untouchables!

• Considered spiritually polluted; ignored by members of other castes

The Caste System

• Even though castes were separated in society, different castes lived together in the SAME village – Why?

Thinking Question…

• If you were obedient to the restrictions of your caste, you would be reincarnated into a higher caste

The Caste System

The Beginnings…

Hinduism

The Beginnings

• Hinduism: a collection of religious beliefs that developed slowly over time

• No one founder

The Beginnings• 750-500 BC Hindu

teachers tried to interpret and explain meanings of Vedic hymns

• Create Upanishads - texts of religious teachings

Hindu Gods

Hindu Gods• Brahman: • Supreme god and universal world soul

Hindu Gods• Hindus believed

that Brahman was too complex a concept for humans to understand

• Worshipped gods & goddesses who served as links to Brahman

BrahmanOne Divine

EssenceUnity

Gods - Many manifestations of Brahman

Brahma

The Creator

VishnuThe

Preserver

ShivaThe

Destroyer

Hindu

Gods

+ millions of other gods

Hindu Beliefs

• Each person has atman – individual soul

• Goal in life is to unite atman (individual soul) with Brahman (world soul)

• How?...

Major Hindu Beliefs

• Reincarnation: • The cycle of rebirth; people born to new lives

• Karma:• Every action is punished or rewarded which determines course of new life

Major Hindu Beliefs

Major Hindu Beliefs• Dharma:

• One’s moral duty in life; varies according to caste, gender, etc.

• How might this reinforce the caste system??

Major Hindu Beliefs• Moksha:

• State of perfect understanding = freedom from rebirth

• Union with Brahman achieved

• Hindus choose own path to moksha

Impact of Hinduism• Hinduism spread

throughout Indian subcontinent

• Jainism – New religion 500s BC; will not harm any creature; practice religious tolerance

Early Indian Empires

The Mauryan Empire

Mauryan Empire• Established in 322 BC by the great Indian military leader, Chandragupta Maurya

Mauryan Empire• Politically unites North India for the first time ever

• Taxation supports huge army and creates highly effective gov’t

• In 269 BC Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, becomes emperor

Asoka’s Reign

Asoka’s Reign• After many years of violent conquest, Asoka feels remorseful

Asoka’s Reign• Converts to Buddhism & rules by Buddha’s teaching of “peace to all beings”

• Spreads Buddhism throughout India & other parts of Asia via missionaries; but tolerant of other religions

• Asoka’s Rock Edicts: Laws carved on rock pillars are placed throughout the empire

• Stress concern for other human beings

Asoka’s Reign

• Builds extensive road system with wells and shelters

• Makes travel and communication easier

• Asoka dies in 232BC; Kingdoms soon break away

Asoka’s Reign

The Gupta Empire

Gupta Empire• After the fall of the Mauryan Empire, India experiences 500 years of chaos

• Finally in AD 320 a strong leader known as Chandra Gupta (not related to 1st

emperor!) starts Gupta Empire

Gupta Empire• During India’s 2nd empire, there is a flowering of civilization, & rebirth of Hindu culture

• Chandra Gupta’s son expands empire with years of conquests

Gupta Empire• Daily Life in the Gupta Empire:• Majority of Indians are

farmers; family raises crops together

• Farmers have to contribute work to gov’t and pay heavy taxes

• Families are patriarchal – headed by the eldest males

• 320 AD to 535 AD: • India’s “Golden Age,” or the flourishing of arts & sciences

Gupta’s Golden Age

Gupta’s Golden Age• Achievements in Science:• Earth is round• Identify 7 planets• Invent medical instruments, perform operations, set bones, write medical guides

Gupta’s Golden Age• Achievements in Mathematics:

• Principles of algebra• Infinity & Zero• Value of Pi• Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3…

Indian Trade• India has spices, diamonds, precious stones & good quality timber

• Trade routes called the silk roads connect Asia & Europe; Indians build trading posts in middle

Indian Trade• Increased trade spreads Indian culture/religion to other places (cultural diffusion)

Yes! My

silk is here!

Yes!

M

y m

one

y is

he

re!