Ancient India

From Brahma to Bollywood

Aryan Migration

pastoral depended on their cattle.

warriors horse-drawn chariots.

Aryan Migration

pastoral depended on their cattle.

warriors horse-drawn chariots.

Sanskrit

writing

The Vedas 1200 BCE-600 BCE.

written in SANSKRIT.

Hindu core of beliefs:

hymns and poems.

religious prayers.

magical spells.

lists of the gods and goddesses.

Rig Veda oldest work.Rig Veda oldest work.

Varna (Social

Hierarchy)

ShudrasShudras

VaishyasVaishyas

Kshatriyas Kshatriyas

Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

BrahminsBrahmins

The Caste System The mouth?

The arms?

The legs?

The feet?

WHO IS…

BrahminsBrahmins

KshatriyasKshatriyas

VaishyasVaishyas

ShudrasShudras

The Vedic Age

The foundations for Hinduism were

established!

325 BCE: INVASION

Alexander the Great invaded northwest India.

Here's his account: They use parasols as a screen from the heat! They wore shoes made of white leather and they were elaborately trimmed, while the soles were multicolored, and made of great thickness, to make the wearer seem much taller.

321 BCE: Mauryan Empire

Chandragupta has HUGE army High Taxes/spies Unites North India Grandson Asoka (buddhist) believed in

RELIGIOUS TOLERATION Asoka built lots of roads

(who else ?)

Buddhism breaks in TWO

Mahayana “new doctrine/fresh” Yes, you can

worship Buddha Can be lots of

Buddhas Help others is key A MASS religion –

salvation for ALL

Theraveda “old school” Work towards

individual nirvana

Hindu Rebirth

More personal, less ritual

Focus on 3 gods

Brahma (creator)

Vishnu (preserver)

Shiva (destroyer)

320 AD: Gupta Empire

Won wars and land Increased trade Arts and Science

North: patriarchal South: Matriarchal

Gupta Achievements

Proved Earth was ROUND 500’s CE

Value of pi Length of year 1,000 diseases 500 plants to cure Review: How did

their GEOGRAPHY encourage them?

Use of Silk Roads“middlemen”

Use of Silk Roads“spread Buddhism”

Use of Silk Roads“spread Buddhism”