Ancient IndiaAncient IndiaUnit 3Unit 3

The Subcontinent EnvironmentThe Subcontinent Environment

RiversRivers•Indus RiverIndus River•Ganges RiverGanges River

MountainsMountains•Himalayan Himalayan Mountains Mountains (North East)(North East)

ClimateClimate•MonsoonMonsoonSeasonal wind Seasonal wind pattern producing pattern producing heavy rainfallheavy rainfall

OtherOther•River valleys River valleys have rich soilhave rich soil•Mountains Mountains provide an provide an excellent excellent barrierbarrier•Monsoon Monsoon seasons are seasons are irregular irregular causing causing drought or over drought or over floodingflooding

NEEDSNEEDSWhat should What should

the people do? the people do?

INTRODUCTION

• Over 4,000 years ago people built huge, planned cities, with straight streets and brick homes with private baths!  Kids played with toys and women wore lipstick!

Where did this happen?The Indus Valley

How do we know this?   • In 1922, archaeologists found the remains of an ancient

city called Harappa. • They found another city, located 400 miles southwest of

Harappa, called Mohenjo-Daro. Other ancient cities have been found since.

• This civilization existed from about 3000-2,500 B.C.E. (Before Common Era) to about 1500 B.C.E., which means it existed at about the same time as the Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations.

• What was life like, over 4,000 years ago, in Harappa and in Mohenjo-Daro, two busy cities of about 35,000 people each?

• What would life be like for you back then? Welcome to Chapter 3, Ancient India! 

THE HARAPPANSTHE HARAPPANS•Monarchy aided by Monarchy aided by an an eliteelite•EliteEliteSmall group of powerful Small group of powerful people who supported the people who supported the King’s willKing’s will

•Belief in divine Belief in divine authorityauthority

India’s First Civilization

Mohenjo -daro

Buying Real Estate in Harappa?

Homes Houses were one or

two stories high, made of baked brick, with flat roofs, and were just about identical.

Each home had its own private drinking well and its own private bathroom. Clay pipes led from the bathrooms to sewers located under the streets.

These sewers drained into nearby rivers and streams.

Well in Harappa

Early Life in the Indus Valley

Entertainment•The discovery of bronze statues resembling dancers tell us they enjoyed dancing as well as working with metals. •The discovery of a large central pool in Mohenjo-daro, with steps leading down at both ends, could have been a public swimming pool or used for religious ceremonies.

Food•Each town had a large central storage building for grain. •Crops were grown for all town members.•Fishing and animal herding also contributed as a food source.  

Toys •Small carts, whistles shaped like birds, toy monkeys which could slide down a string

Art & Religion•Weaving, Metal working, and Pottery.•The Pottery was very high quality, with unusually beautiful designs.•The Vedas were memorized hymns, prayers, and religious teachings.

Transportation•Camels, oxen and elephants were used to travel over land. •Sailboats were used for travel over water•Carts with wooden wheels. Ships with one mast, probably used to sail around the Arabian Sea.

Trade•Seals with a pictographic script, which has not as yet been deciphered, were found at the Indus Valley sites. Similar seals were found in Mesopotamia, which seems to indicate possible trade between these two civilizations.

Family Life• Life centered around the family.• Patriarchal- The oldest male was in charge• Only men were given the opportunity of

education.• Education with the Guru

“Special” Treatment for females • Women were considered “minors”• Divorce was not allowed (few minor

exceptions)• The ritual of Sati- To show the subjugation to

men by requiring a wife to throw herself on her dead husband’s flaming pyre.

• The Indian tradition is now forbidden by law, though a very small number of incidents still occur each year in remote isolated villages.

• Women were viewed as an economic burden

BERLIN (2007) -

Bavaria's most

glamorous politician --

a flame-haired

motorcyclist has shocked the Catholic state in by suggesting marriage

should last

just 7 years.

The Aryans• Aryan- improperly used term by the Nazi Germans-

It actually is Indo-European speaking nomadic people.

• Created the writing system of Sanskrit c. 1000 B.C.• Warring kingdoms and shifting tribal alliances

created a great deal of instability until strong leaders emerged.

• Raja- The tribal chieftain prince• The raja was chosen by Brahman, chief god of the

Aryans• Leaders became the representation of the gods• Leaders still subjected to laws • Eventually the title, raja, became the maharaja

(great prince)• The most lasting effect: class divisions among the

people ranging from skin color to economics. This social division was known as the Caste System

The Caste SystemThe Caste System

Upper ClassesUpper Classes

1. 1. BBrahminrahminPriestsPriests

2. 2. KKshatriyasshatriyasWarriorsWarriors

Lower ClassesLower Classes

3. 3. VVaisyasaisyasMerchants, farmers, traders, Merchants, farmers, traders, and artisansand artisans

4. 4. SSudrasudrasLaborers and servants to the Laborers and servants to the upper classupper class

5. Untouchables5. UntouchablesCleaning bathes, collected Cleaning bathes, collected trash. Contact with an trash. Contact with an untouchable was considered untouchable was considered harmful.harmful.

The Caste System Continued…

Brahmin

Priests

VaisyasMerchantsfarmers

KshatriyasWarriors

SudrasLaborers and

servants

Homework

• Type at Type at leastleast a a two pagetwo page paper paper about the following. (40 Points)about the following. (40 Points)

1.1. Analyze Analyze Barrington High SchoolBarrington High School. .

2.2. Is there a Is there a caste systemcaste system??

3.3. What is the high school What is the high school good lifegood life??

4.4. Is school Is school life equallylife equally good for good for everyone?everyone?

Conquests in India

1. Persians2. Greeks and MacedoniansAlexander the Great

3. Then… the Mauryan Dynasty

Alexander the Great

Mauryan Dynasty

• Leader- Chandragupta Maurya

• Large army with secret police to protect the paranoid leader.

• Built a road system to make it easier to transport goods.

• Next major leader, grandson, Asoka

Mauryan and Asoka Empires

Asoka’s Reign•Asoka =one without sorrow•Ruthless military leader who converts to Buddhism•Decides to win the support of India’s people through kindness.•Sets up hospitals for both people and animals•Wanted to lead by good example rather than by force.•Began placing edicts on pillars. Edicts are orders that were put on pillars throughout the empire

• Edicts stressed Buddhist qualities of goodness•Trade and Industry flourished under Asoka. •The Mauryan Dynasty will fade with the death of Asoka.

One of Asoka’s famous pillars

Expansion of Trade – The Kushan Kingdom

• Became one of the most advanced trading civilizations in the ancient world

• Trade via sea and camel caravan

• Traded a variety of spices, jewels, and textiles for gold, tin, lead and wine.

• One of the major routes was called the “Silk Road” China supplied the Silk… Romans wanted it, but passed through India to get there...

The Silk Road

Gupta Empire

• Developed precise surgical instruments.

• Developed the concept of “0”

• Adopted the Hindu faith as the main religion in India.

• A group called the Huns greatly weaken the Gupta Empire

Hinduism

•Vedas - collection of hymns•Bhagavad Gita is revered as a sacred text of Hindu philosophy •The name 'Bhagavad Gita', when translated into English, literally means 'Song of God.' •Belief in one God called Brahman *(Vishnu, and Shiva)•Salvation comes only after a person has abandoned all pursuits and desires and accepts that the individual soul is the same as Brahman. (Moksha)•Ironically, to achieve moksha, one must make a deliberate effort to not want it. •Reincarnation- belief that individual soul is reborn in a different form after death.•Karma- What people do in their life determines what they will be in the next life.•“What goes around, comes around!”•Dharma- divine law ruling karma.•Dharma determines the expectation level.

How does one get in touch with one’s spiritual

nature?• Yoga – a method of

training designed to lead to union with God.

1. Path of Knowledge2. Path of Love3. Path of Work4. Path of Meditation

Common ?’sNext page!

• Today, most of India’s citizens are Hindu

•The Mahabharata:

•Probably the longest poem in the world

•220,000 lines, divided into eighteen chapters

•The third and most important Hindu Epic- Bhagavad gita.

Common Questions What is the significance of red dots on the forehead?What is the significance of red dots on the forehead?

1.1. It symbolizes the "third eye" -- the one focused inwards toward God (or the It symbolizes the "third eye" -- the one focused inwards toward God (or the atma (soul) within you). The red dot between the eyebrows is said to retain atma (soul) within you). The red dot between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the body and control various levels of concentration. energy in the body and control various levels of concentration.

2. In the past, a red dot was usually worn by married women as an auspicious 2. In the past, a red dot was usually worn by married women as an auspicious sign of marriage. And, unmarried women wore black dots which indicated sign of marriage. And, unmarried women wore black dots which indicated that they were unmarried. that they were unmarried.

If Hindu’s acknowledge more than 33,000 deities, then shouldn’t the religion be If Hindu’s acknowledge more than 33,000 deities, then shouldn’t the religion be polytheistic?polytheistic?

1.1. No. Brahman is the ultimate reality of God. Hindus believe in more than one No. Brahman is the ultimate reality of God. Hindus believe in more than one FORM of one God.FORM of one God.

Why are cows so important to people from India?Why are cows so important to people from India?

1.1. The most important indicator of wealth among the Aryans was the number of The most important indicator of wealth among the Aryans was the number of cattle that an individual owned. The more cattle a family, or tribe possessed cattle that an individual owned. The more cattle a family, or tribe possessed the more wealthy they were. Eventually cattle became so important in Aryan the more wealthy they were. Eventually cattle became so important in Aryan society that they made it illegal to kill or eat them.society that they made it illegal to kill or eat them.

2.2. Food, Work, ReligionFood, Work, Religion3.3. Cows bring about life and provide life, work, (Animals and reincarnation). Cows bring about life and provide life, work, (Animals and reincarnation).

Hinduism

BuddhismSiddhartha Gautama• A prince with every

“everything”, discovers a great deal of human suffering outside “his world.”

• Gives up “everything” to seek the cure for human suffering.

• Goal: To seek NirvanaMeans end of the self and a reunion in life with the Great Soul

Four Noble Truths1. Ordinary life is suffering 2. This suffering is caused by

our desire to satisfy ourselves

3. The way to end suffering is to end desire for selfish goals and to see others as extensions of ourselves

4. The way to end desire is to follow the middle path

“The Middle Path”

Next Page

1. Stupas and temples were built to honor the death of Gautama.

Stupas are stone towers that house relics of the Buddha

The Middle PathThe Middle Path• Right View:Right View:

We need to know the Four Noble Truths• Right Intention:Right Intention:

We need to decide what we really want• Right Speech:Right Speech:

We must seek to speak truth and to speak well of others• Right Action:Right Action:

The Buddha gave five precepts: “Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not be unchaste. Do not take drugs or alcohol.”

• Right livelihood:Right livelihood:We must do work that uplifts our being.

• Right effort:Right effort: The Buddha said, “Those who follow the Way might well follow the example of an ox that arches through the deep mud carrying a heavy load. He is tired, but his steady, forward-looking gaze will not relax until he is out of the mud.”

• Right mindfulness:Right mindfulness: We must keep our minds in control of our senses: “All we are is the result of what we have thought.”

• Right concentration:Right concentration: We must meditate to see the world in a new way.

Two Religions

Buddhism

Why Fat Buddha Statues?Why Fat Buddha Statues?• The "Fat Buddha" is not The "Fat Buddha" is not THETHE Buddha, Siddhartha Buddha, Siddhartha

GautamaGautama• The statue is not an idol.The statue is not an idol.• Rubbing the belly of a fat Buddha Statue is not a prayer of Rubbing the belly of a fat Buddha Statue is not a prayer of

any sort… it's just a more or less superstitious habitany sort… it's just a more or less superstitious habit• Buddha means "one who has achieved a state of perfect Buddha means "one who has achieved a state of perfect

enlightenment" and there are several people who have enlightenment" and there are several people who have been given the title. been given the title.

• Siddhartha lived from around B.C. 560 to B.C. 480, it Siddhartha lived from around B.C. 560 to B.C. 480, it was not until around 127 BC that statues actually was not until around 127 BC that statues actually depicting him became prevalent. depicting him became prevalent.

• Nobody knew what he really looked like, he was from a Nobody knew what he really looked like, he was from a noble family and had been described as tall, slender, noble family and had been described as tall, slender, and of "manly build", but that may have been just and of "manly build", but that may have been just because that is what people expected "Nobles" to look because that is what people expected "Nobles" to look like.like.

• The image of a fat overfed Buddha didn't fit with his The image of a fat overfed Buddha didn't fit with his teachings, and an "enlightened one" might be so teachings, and an "enlightened one" might be so enlightened as to disregard material needs like eating… enlightened as to disregard material needs like eating…

• Buddhism reached China around 100AD, and was wide Buddhism reached China around 100AD, and was wide spread there by 600AD.spread there by 600AD.

• We get We get threethree theories on Fat Buddha. theories on Fat Buddha.

• And finally the theory held by most Buddhist scholars. And finally the theory held by most Buddhist scholars. A sagely Zen monk appeared in China around 850 A.D. A sagely Zen monk appeared in China around 850 A.D. and died in 916A.D. He said his name was "Knowing and died in 916A.D. He said his name was "Knowing This" (ChiChe). No one knew where he came from, he This" (ChiChe). No one knew where he came from, he carried a big fat bag and was famous for his fat belly. carried a big fat bag and was famous for his fat belly. When asked how to obtain nirvana he would lay down When asked how to obtain nirvana he would lay down the bag and not said a word. When asked about what the bag and not said a word. When asked about what happened after reaching nirvana he would pick up the happened after reaching nirvana he would pick up the bag and walk away, still not a word. It is pretty much bag and walk away, still not a word. It is pretty much accepted that such a monk existed. He is probably the accepted that such a monk existed. He is probably the inspiration for Fat Buddha, as the statues began inspiration for Fat Buddha, as the statues began appearing in the late 800's, 1200 years after the appearing in the late 800's, 1200 years after the Gautama's death. If you'll look at an authentic Fat Gautama's death. If you'll look at an authentic Fat buddha, you'll see he has a sack on his back.buddha, you'll see he has a sack on his back.

• First the physical image of a Noble was not athletic or First the physical image of a Noble was not athletic or a warrior, but a well fed person of leisure. People a warrior, but a well fed person of leisure. People tried to rub a fat man's belly in hopes of luck and tried to rub a fat man's belly in hopes of luck and ample meals.ample meals.• Then there is the story of a Chinese Buddhist monk in Then there is the story of a Chinese Buddhist monk in the 6th century, who just happened to have a belly the 6th century, who just happened to have a belly that shook like jelly, he was a kind fellow who that shook like jelly, he was a kind fellow who dedicated himself to helping others, and was dedicated himself to helping others, and was regarded as the incarnation of the Boddhisatva regarded as the incarnation of the Boddhisatva Metteya, who had reached nirvana but stayed around Metteya, who had reached nirvana but stayed around just to help people.just to help people.

Lasting Effects of Indian Culture

LiteratureOn your own!

Lasting Effects of Indian Culture

Art and SculptureOn your own!