Ancient India Develops

Aryans transform India

Before 2000 B.C. the Aryans migrated into the Indus River valley from the north.

Mountain passes in the Hindu Kush provided migration

routes into the Indian Subcontinent (e.g. Khyber Pass).

The Aryans created a structured society (caste system).

1. The caste system was based on occupation. 2. People were divided into four classes

1. Brahmins: Priests 2. Warriors 3. Traders and Landowners 4. Peasants

3. People’s class or caste was decided by birth. 1. Class determined occupation, who you would marry

(all social interactions) 2. Untouchables: those who lived outside the caste

system (their touch would endanger ritual purity of others)

When the Aryans migrated into India they

asserted their dominance.

The civilization of India developed around the

Indus & Ganges Rivers.

Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro (Mound of the dead) 1. These were cities at the center of the Indus River

Valley Civilization

2. Very advanced: Urban centers, diversified

economies, cities laid out on precise grid systems,

sophisticated plumbing & sewer systems

Hinduism

The religion of Hinduism made important contributions to classical India.

Hinduism influenced Indian society and culture and is still practiced today.

Unlike Buddhism, Christianity, or Islam, Hinduism cannot be traced back to one founder or one single set of ideas.

Characteristics of Hinduism: 1. Belief in many forms of one God

2. Reincarnation: Rebirth based upon karma

3. Karma: knowledge that all thoughts and actions result in future consequences

4. Vedas & Upanishads: sacred writings

5. Spread along major trade routes e.g. The Silk Roads

Hindus see religion as way of liberating the soul from illusions, disappointments, & mistakes of everyday life.

Interconnectedness of all life is a basic concept in all Indian religions.

When a person achieves moksha (perfect understanding) they get release from this world.

Reincarnation 1. Born again and again until moksha is achieved

2. Karma-good or bad deeds influence specific life circumstances: caste, health, wealth or poverty

Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion that emerged in the part of India that

is present day Nepal.

The religion of Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who would later be known as the Buddha.

Buddhism: 1. Criticized the caste system 2. Buddha: “The Enlightened One” 3. Buddhists believe religious life offers refuge from

inevitable suffering.

4. Gautama walked through forest for 6 years

looking for enlightenment

Four Noble Truths of Buddhism 1. Life in this world involves suffering and

unhappiness

2. Unhappiness is caused by the desire of worldly things.

3. Happiness can be achieved by detaching oneself from

desire for worldly things

4. Nirvana: release from desire, selfishness and pain-can

be reached by following the eightfold path.

The Eightfold Path to

Enlightenment The eightfold path consists of basic rules for conduct and thought.

Buddhists seek to help others free themselves from suffering.

1. Right Views

2. Right Intent

3. Right Speech

4. Right Conduct

5. Right Work

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

Beliefs of Buddhism Accepted reincarnation but rejected many gods of Hinduism

Dharma-Buddhist doctrine of law

Monks and nuns vow to live a life of poverty, not to marry

Mauryan Empire

By 600 B.C., India was divided into many

small kingdoms.

Later, Chandragupta Maurya united

northern kingdoms to create the Mauryan

Empire.

The Mauryians

continued the

political unification

of much of India.

Chandragupta

managed his empire

by dividing it into

four provinces, each

headed by a royal

prince.

Other officials

assessed taxes and

enforced law.

Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan

Empire was

brought to its

greatest heights

by King Asoka.

Contributions of the

Mauryan Empire:

1. Spread of Buddhism

Asoka converted to

Buddhism after a terrible

battle.

He ruled his empire by the

Buddha’s teaching of

“peace to all beings.”

Buddhism became a major faith when Asoka sent missionaries out through Asia King Asoka’s missionaries and their writings spread from India to China and other parts of Asia

Contributions cont. 2. Free hospitals

3. Veterinary clinics

Contributions cont. 4. Good roads

Asoka had extensive roads built to connect the

corners of the empire.

There were rest stations with wells every nine

miles.

Fall of the Mauryan Empire

After the death of Asoka, the empire

splintered.

There was a 500 year period of turmoil in

India.

Gupta Empire

Chandra Gupta

came to power

through a royal

marriage.

Gupta Empire

He expanded the Gupta Empire through 40

years of conquest.

The Gupta Empire was the Golden Age of

classical Indian Culture

Contributions of the Gupta Empire

1. Mathematics (concept of zero)

2. Medical Advances (set bones)

3. Astronomy: concept of a round Earth

4. New textiles

5. Literature