South Asia History

Words to Watch• Gruesome- Causing horror or disgust• Decipher- To interpret the meaning of

something• Anthropologist- A scientist that studies human

origins• Ecology- Pattern of relationships between

living things

Indus Valley Civilization

• Lasted from 3300-1300 B.C.• Located in modern-day Pakistan

and India along the Indus River• At its peak, the civilization had a

population of around 5 million• Geographically, the largest

ancient civilization in the world (covered the most area)

Cities of the Indus Valley• Over 1,000 cities and

settlements have been discovered

• Mohenjo-Doro – The most developed and sophisticated city of the Indus River– Archaeologists found gruesome

remains when the city was excavated

• Harrapa – Had about 25,000 people (very large for its time)

Ancient ruins of Harrapa

A computer-generated image of what Harrapa would have looked like

Cities of the Indus Valley

• Both cities had an advanced system of trade and commerce– This was created by a surplus in

agriculture– Domesticated plants like peas, dates,

and cotton– Domesticated animals like the water

buffalo• Seals were used to mark property,

evidence of a written language

Make Your Own Seal• In your Interactive Notebook, create your own

seal which you would use to mark your possessions

• Include symbols that are important to you– This could be an animal, letters, logos and

anything else that is special to you

Cities of the Indus Valley

• Cities used advanced engineering systems to create a water supply and sanitation systems– Created the world’s first flush toilets– Created drainage systems to prevent

flooding houses and had their own private water well

• City streets were based on a grid system

Remains of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus River

• The largest river in South Asia

• People have dealt with flooding for thousands of years

• Today, about 200 million people live in the Indus River floodplain

Maurya Empire

• Lasted from 321 B.C. to 185 B.C. (about 150 years)

• Mostly in modern-day India. Parts in modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Iran

• Population is estimated between 50-60 million

320 B.C.

305 B.C.

300 B.C.

Maurya Empire

• Founded by Chandragupta Maurya when he was only 20 years old

• Developed a trading network across South Asia– Created a system of finance, administration, and security

• Ashoka the Great (the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya) spread the teachings of Buddha– After witnessing a devastating war that killed thousands,

he renounced war and violence

Gupta Empire

• Lasted 320-550 AD (about 130 years)

• Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta

Gupta Empire• Many inventions and scientific discoveries

– Called the “Golden Age of India”• Developed Arabic numerals, the basis of our

number system– Created the concept of zero and the decimal

system

Mughal Empire

• Lasted 1526-1858 (332 years)• Estimated population of 150 million• Under the rule of Akbar the Great, the Empire

enjoyed cultural and economic success• Spread Islam throughout South Asia

Mughal Empire

• Famous architecture:

Lalbagh FortTaj Mahal

Red Fort in DelhiJama Mosque

Caste System• The caste system in India has

been around for over 2,000 years

• Jatis- Translated as “thus born”– People in India are born into

categories in which their professions have already been chosen

– People marry within their caste

There are 5 different levels within the Caste System

Caste System

Brahman- Priests and other holy men

Caste System

Kshatriyas- Rulers, warriors, and land owners

Caste System

Vaishyas- Merchants and traders

Caste System

• Shudras- Artisans and farmers

Caste System

• Harijans- Outside the Caste System, known as “Untouchables”

Ghandi

British Rule