Ancient India. The Deccan Indo-Gangetic Plain Northern Mountain Region GeographyGeography Three Mountain ranges- Himalayas (“place of the snow”)- Highest

AncieAncient nt

IndiaIndia

The DeccanThe Deccan

Indo-Gangetic PlainIndo-Gangetic Plain

Northern Mountain RegionNorthern Mountain RegionGeographyGeographyGeographyGeography

Three Mountain ranges- Himalayas (“place of the snow”)- Highest mountain range in the world, form 1,500 mile long wall Karakoram – Join the Himalayas in current day Pakistan Hindu-Kush – Khyber pass at border of Afghanistanand Pakistan

The Indo-Gangetic Plain- The plain formed by the Indus and Ganges Rivers

The Deccan – The interior plateau separated from the Indo-Gangetic Plainby the Vindhya Mountains (traditionally said to divide the cultures of the North & South)

Chapter 3, Sect ion 1

Northern Mountain RegionNorthern Mountain RegionNorthern Mountain RegionNorthern Mountain Region

The DeccanThe DeccanThe DeccanThe Deccan

Indo-Gangetic PlainIndo-Gangetic PlainIndo-Gangetic PlainIndo-Gangetic Plain

Ganges RiverGanges RiverGanges RiverGanges River

Vindhya MtsVindhya MtsVindhya MtsVindhya Mts

W. G

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Mts

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W. G

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W. G

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E. G

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Mts

E. G

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Mts

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Mts

Karakoram MtsKarakoram MtsKarakoram MtsKarakoram Mts

Hindu Kush Mts

Hindu Kush Mts

Hindu Kush Mts

Hindu Kush Mts

Indus River

Indus River Himalaya

Himalaya

ClimateClimateClimateClimate

Seasonal Winds – Seasonal Winds – November until February or March winds blow from North November until February or March winds blow from North & Northwest – any moisture carried falls on North slope of & Northwest – any moisture carried falls on North slope of Himalayas – by the time it reaches India it is very dryHimalayas – by the time it reaches India it is very dry

Mid-June through October winds blow from the Southwest,Mid-June through October winds blow from the Southwest,bringing warm moist air from the Indian Oceanbringing warm moist air from the Indian Ocean


2500-1500 BC2500-1500 BC Harappan Civilization Harappan Civilization Mohenjo Daro & Harappa – major citiesMohenjo Daro & Harappa – major cities

Detailed City Planning-Detailed City Planning- Planned pattern for streets (Grid-like)Planned pattern for streets (Grid-like) Municipal water systemsMunicipal water systems Public BathsPublic Baths City Sewer System w/private homes connectedCity Sewer System w/private homes connected Strong Central Fortress (Citadel)Strong Central Fortress (Citadel) Central GraineriesCentral Graineries

Buildings built w/Baked Bricks (stronger than mud bricks)Buildings built w/Baked Bricks (stronger than mud bricks)

2500-1500 BC2500-1500 BC Harappan Civilization Harappan Civilization Mohenjo Daro & Harappa – major citiesMohenjo Daro & Harappa – major cities

Detailed City Planning-Detailed City Planning- Planned pattern for streets (Grid-like)Planned pattern for streets (Grid-like) Municipal water systemsMunicipal water systems Public BathsPublic Baths City Sewer System w/private homes connectedCity Sewer System w/private homes connected Strong Central Fortress (Citadel)Strong Central Fortress (Citadel) Central GraineriesCentral Graineries

Buildings built w/Baked Bricks (stronger than mud bricks)Buildings built w/Baked Bricks (stronger than mud bricks)


Agriculture- -domesticated cattle, sheep, pigs, & goats - grew crops including cotton, wheat, & rice - used irrigation & flood control

Industry- - Artisans produced cotton cloth, pottery, bronze items, & jewelry of gold & silver

Written Language- - pictographs, as yet not translated, unable to connect to other languages

Agriculture- -domesticated cattle, sheep, pigs, & goats - grew crops including cotton, wheat, & rice - used irrigation & flood control

Industry- - Artisans produced cotton cloth, pottery, bronze items, & jewelry of gold & silver

Written Language- - pictographs, as yet not translated, unable to connect to other languages

Indo-AryansIndo-Aryans

Early Society- - Formed villages, changed from Nomadic ways to farming - Villages eventually combined to form city-states - A “Raja” (prince or king) ruled each city-state, he was military leader, lawmaker, & judge, he was assisted by a royal council, friends, & relatives - Separation in social class between Aryans & conquered inhabitants

Early Society- - Formed villages, changed from Nomadic ways to farming - Villages eventually combined to form city-states - A “Raja” (prince or king) ruled each city-state, he was military leader, lawmaker, & judge, he was assisted by a royal council, friends, & relatives - Separation in social class between Aryans & conquered inhabitants

Nomads from the Steppes - Called themselves Aryans - Came through the mountain passes (Khyber)

Nomads from the Steppes - Called themselves Aryans - Came through the mountain passes (Khyber)

Religion- - As recorded in the Vedas, they were gods of nature - No temples, used open spaces with altars - Used sacrifice to honor the gods - Over time Brahmins (priests) were needed to perform sacrifices

Religion- - As recorded in the Vedas, they were gods of nature - No temples, used open spaces with altars - Used sacrifice to honor the gods - Over time Brahmins (priests) were needed to perform sacrifices

The Vedic Age 1500 – 1000 B.C. - Vedas the great literature of the Aryans, stories of their history, religion, & customs - History recorded by “word of Mouth” until written language (Sanskrit) was developed

The Vedic Age 1500 – 1000 B.C. - Vedas the great literature of the Aryans, stories of their history, religion, & customs - History recorded by “word of Mouth” until written language (Sanskrit) was developed


Economy- Farming – Wheat & Barley principal crops

Also rice, sugar cane, leafy vegetables,gourds, peas, beans, & lentils

Trading - limited, barter system, poor transportation

Economy- Farming – Wheat & Barley principal crops

Also rice, sugar cane, leafy vegetables,gourds, peas, beans, & lentils

Trading - limited, barter system, poor transportation

Non-AryansNon-Aryans

Warriors &Brahmins (priests)

Warriors &Brahmins (priests)

Merchants, Artisans, & Farmers

Merchants, Artisans, & Farmers

Farm Workers & Servants Farm Workers & Servants

Rajah




Why did this civilization decline?Why did this civilization decline?

Many theories, but nobody actually knows . . . Many theories, but nobody actually knows . . .

Southern IndiaSouthern India

-Separated from Northern India by Vindhya Mts.

-Developed separate cultures & economies

-Even groups within the southern region were fragmented

-Coast dwellers developed a robust trading economy

-many groups developed a “Matriarchal” society

-Separated from Northern India by Vindhya Mts.

-Developed separate cultures & economies

-Even groups within the southern region were fragmented

-Coast dwellers developed a robust trading economy

-many groups developed a “Matriarchal” society



Vedanta (end of the Vedas) - started around 700 B.C.

- Questioned authority of Brahmins

- Ideas expressed in written form (Upanishads- a philosophical

explanation of the Vedic religion)

- Complex, hard for most people to understand

- Simple stories (folk tales) used to teach common man called epics

- Two epics, the Mahabharata & the Ramayana

- Mahabharata includes Bhagavad Gita, or “Song of the Lord”

- These were the bases for both Hinduism & the Caste System

Vedanta (end of the Vedas) - started around 700 B.C.

- Questioned authority of Brahmins

- Ideas expressed in written form (Upanishads- a philosophical

explanation of the Vedic religion)

- Complex, hard for most people to understand

- Simple stories (folk tales) used to teach common man called epics

- Two epics, the Mahabharata & the Ramayana

- Mahabharata includes Bhagavad Gita, or “Song of the Lord”

- These were the bases for both Hinduism & the Caste System

The Caste System-Four distinct Varmas (social classes)

-Brahmins (priests, scholars, wise men)

-Kshatriyas (Warriors)-Vaisyas (Merchants, traders, artisans, farm owners)-Sudras (peasants, laborers)

-Outside the Social Structure-Pariahs, or Untouchables (those who by birth inherited impure professions, such as skinning animals, caring forcorpses, etc.)

-System became more strict over time-subgroups, or jati were formed-people required to operate socially within their own group

The Caste System-Four distinct Varmas (social classes)

-Brahmins (priests, scholars, wise men)

-Kshatriyas (Warriors)-Vaisyas (Merchants, traders, artisans, farm owners)-Sudras (peasants, laborers)

-Outside the Social Structure-Pariahs, or Untouchables (those who by birth inherited impure professions, such as skinning animals, caring forcorpses, etc.)

-System became more strict over time-subgroups, or jati were formed-people required to operate socially within their own group


Pariahs or Untouchables

Brahmins

(priests)

Kshatriyas (warriors)

Vaisyas (merchants, artisans,

& farmers)

Sudras (farm workers & servants) Chapter 3, Sect ion 3

Hindu Beliefs –

Monism - Mind & matter are ultimately the same

Maya – The world of our senses is only illusion

Reincarnation – rebirth of the soul into a different body form based on your Karma & Dharma

Dharma – The fulfillment of moral duty

Karma – Positive or Negative force generated by a person’s actions & attitude

Hindu Beliefs –

Monism - Mind & matter are ultimately the same

Maya – The world of our senses is only illusion

Reincarnation – rebirth of the soul into a different body form based on your Karma & Dharma

Dharma – The fulfillment of moral duty

Karma – Positive or Negative force generated by a person’s actions & attitude Chapter 3, Sect ion 3

Polytheistic - 3 greater gods (although Hindu’s believe thateverything is “one”)

Brahma - The Creator

Vishnu - The Preserver

Siva - The Destroyer

Many lesser gods dealing with nature & human natureThey believe that all life is sacred

Polytheistic - 3 greater gods (although Hindu’s believe thateverything is “one”)

Brahma - The Creator

Vishnu - The Preserver

Siva - The Destroyer

Many lesser gods dealing with nature & human natureThey believe that all life is sacred

Both the Caste System & the Hindu Religion provided

a strict social structure which allowed society to function

more smoothly

Both the Caste System & the Hindu Religion provided

a strict social structure which allowed society to function

more smoothlyChapter 3, Sect ion 3

Siddhartha Gautama – born around 563 B.C., founder.

-son of a prince, grew up in luxury

-pondered why suffering exists, & what is the value of life

-At age 29 determined to spend the rest of his life seeking answers

-After six years believed he had found the answers, & he became the Buddha,(Enlightened One)

Siddhartha Gautama – born around 563 B.C., founder.

-son of a prince, grew up in luxury

-pondered why suffering exists, & what is the value of life

-At age 29 determined to spend the rest of his life seeking answers

-After six years believed he had found the answers, & he became the Buddha,(Enlightened One)


Buddha’s Teachings –The Four Noble Truths1. All human life involves suffering & sorrow2. Desire for a life of pleasure & material gain causes suffering & sorrow.3. Renouncing desire frees people from suffering & helps souls attain Nirvana4. Eightfold Path leads to renunciation, or denial of desire & attainment of Nirvana.

Buddha’s Teachings –The Four Noble Truths1. All human life involves suffering & sorrow2. Desire for a life of pleasure & material gain causes suffering & sorrow.3. Renouncing desire frees people from suffering & helps souls attain Nirvana4. Eightfold Path leads to renunciation, or denial of desire & attainment of Nirvana.

Nirvana – the perfect peace, which releases the soul from endless reincarnation

Nirvana – the perfect peace, which releases the soul from endless reincarnation


The Eightfold Path

1.Right views, seeing life as it is

2.Right intentions

3. Right speech

4. Right action

5. Right living

6. Right effort

7. Right mindfulness

8. Right concentration

The Eightfold Path

1.Right views, seeing life as it is

2.Right intentions

3. Right speech

4. Right action

5. Right living

6. Right effort

7. Right mindfulness

8. Right concentration

Buddha’s Teachings Buddha’s Teachings


After Siddhartha Gautama’s death, Buddhism split into two major branches-

Theraveda – regarded Buddha as a great spiritual teacher

Mahayana – regarded Buddha as a god or saviordeveloped Buddhism as a religion with Temples & Priests

Spread throughout China, Korea, & Japan fairly quickly, and is now worldwide (cultural diffusion).

After Siddhartha Gautama’s death, Buddhism split into two major branches-

Theraveda – regarded Buddha as a great spiritual teacher

Mahayana – regarded Buddha as a god or saviordeveloped Buddhism as a religion with Temples & Priests

Spread throughout China, Korea, & Japan fairly quickly, and is now worldwide (cultural diffusion).


Mauryan Empire: Mauryan Empire: (321 BC-232 BC)(321 BC-232 BC)

• Founded by Chandragupta MauryaFounded by Chandragupta Maurya– Conquered most of northern India Conquered most of northern India

– main rivals Nunda Familymain rivals Nunda Family

• Grandson of Grandson of ChandraguptaChandragupta - - AsokaAsoka– Conqueror the rest of Northern & Central IndiaConqueror the rest of Northern & Central India

– Treated his people with kindness after conversion to Treated his people with kindness after conversion to BuddhismBuddhism



• AchievementsAchievements – Spread Buddhism throughout India & the regionSpread Buddhism throughout India & the region– Improved roads (linked to silk roads)Improved roads (linked to silk roads)– EducationEducation– Built hospitals Built hospitals – Encouraged Science, Math, & MedicineEncouraged Science, Math, & Medicine

After Asoka died a series of weak rulers allowedAfter Asoka died a series of weak rulers allowed

The Empire to collapse, allowing India to fall The Empire to collapse, allowing India to fall

Into a 500 year period of civil war between smallInto a 500 year period of civil war between small

Provinces and foreign interventionProvinces and foreign intervention.

Gupta Empire: (320-535 AD)Gupta Empire: (320-535 AD)

321-232 BCMauryan Empire

Gupta Empire: (320-535 AD)Gupta Empire: (320-535 AD)

• BackgroundBackground– United northern IndiaUnited northern India

– Promoted trade with other nationsPromoted trade with other nations

– Called “Golden Age of Hinduism”Called “Golden Age of Hinduism”

– Increased influence of the Caste System on Indian Increased influence of the Caste System on Indian society (further dividing society)society (further dividing society)

– Empire broken up during Hun invasionEmpire broken up during Hun invasion

Gupta Empire: (320-535 AD)Gupta Empire: (320-535 AD)• AchievementsAchievements

– Developed the “Zero” (0), infinity, and decimal Developed the “Zero” (0), infinity, and decimal numbers (Great mathematician – Aryabhata)numbers (Great mathematician – Aryabhata)

– Wrote plays & poems in SanskritWrote plays & poems in Sanskrit

– Traded with Chinese, Persians, Byzantines, and Traded with Chinese, Persians, Byzantines, and RomansRomans

– Created vaccines for diseases (Great doctor – Susrata) Created vaccines for diseases (Great doctor – Susrata)

The SciencesMath & Astronomy-

-understood abstract numbers, negative numbers

-used Algebra

-Identified 7 of the planets without telescope

-Understood the rotation of the Earth

Medicine-

-Surgeries included bone setting & plastic surgery

-developed technique of innoculation

-Built hospitals that were clean and light

-disinfected wounds

The SciencesMath & Astronomy-

-understood abstract numbers, negative numbers

-used Algebra

-Identified 7 of the planets without telescope

-Understood the rotation of the Earth

Medicine-

-Surgeries included bone setting & plastic surgery

-developed technique of innoculation

-Built hospitals that were clean and light

-disinfected wounds


Economy:-Agriculture basis for economy for most of India

-under the Gupta Empire trade became increasingly

important

-Southern India economy based in trade

-The wealthy rajas taxed farmers heavily to support

their lifestyle and conquests

Economy:-Agriculture basis for economy for most of India

-under the Gupta Empire trade became increasingly

important

-Southern India economy based in trade

-The wealthy rajas taxed farmers heavily to support

their lifestyle and conquests

The Arts-Literature – Mahabharata & Ramayana

Panchatantra (Five Books)- Popular fablesthat influenced later Arabian works

Art & Architecture- Murals very popular (Caves at Ajanta)Religious sculptures (such as the Buddhas)

Education-Very advanced, but generally reserved for the upper classes

The Arts-Literature – Mahabharata & Ramayana

Panchatantra (Five Books)- Popular fablesthat influenced later Arabian works

Art & Architecture- Murals very popular (Caves at Ajanta)Religious sculptures (such as the Buddhas)

Education-Very advanced, but generally reserved for the upper classes

Women in Northern India were generally subordinate to men-laws supported this idea-Polygyny allowed men to have more than one wife-Suttee, voluntary death on husbands funeral pyre, common among upper class

Women in the South fared better-Matriarchal society-could assume political leadership especially in the Tamil

Women in Northern India were generally subordinate to men-laws supported this idea-Polygyny allowed men to have more than one wife-Suttee, voluntary death on husbands funeral pyre, common among upper class

Women in the South fared better-Matriarchal society-could assume political leadership especially in the Tamil

Documents

Ancient India. The Deccan Indo-Gangetic Plain Northern Mountain Region GeographyGeography Three Mountain ranges- Himalayas (“place of the snow”)- Highest