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Ancient Civilizations: India. Geography & Environment. The Geography. On which continent is India located? Asia; India is a subcontinent of Asia. The Geography. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Ancient Civilizations:India
• 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!
