Ancient Indian Civilizations

World History – Chapter 3

India includes Pakistan and Bangladesh

Southern region is called Deccan and Northern is called Hindustan

2 main rivers – Ganges and Indus (Indus River Valley)

Monsoon (seasonal wind from the sea) provides water

Background and Geography

Appeared about the same time as the Old Kingdom in Egypt

The Harappa civilization centered between cities of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

Lasted 1000 years Grew barley, wheat, built public

bath system, sewer, and underground drainage

Produced copper tools, bronze, and traded w/ Mesopotamia

Had gold and silver jewelry; had a writing system; cities were built on a grid; they built brick buildings up to 4 stories

Good at math 1500 B.C. the Aryans destroyed

both cities and India entered a dark age

1st Civilization

People reverted back to Neolithic Age for about 500 years

Around 1000 B.C., urban civilization began to reappear along the Ganges

City states grew; social groups evolved; began the Caste System:1. Warriors2. Priests3. Land Owners4. Merchant and Commoners

Still exists today – much more detailed and many more levels

…Continued

India has the 2 biggest religions: Buddhism and Hinduism

Hinduism has 3 part god:1. Brahma – Creator2. Vishnu – Preserver3. Shiva – Destroyer

All together called “Brahman”

All living things have souls

Reincarnation – reborn souls are in the bodies of other creatures

Indian Religions - Hinduism

Dharma – fulfillment of moral duty in this life so that the soul progresses toward deliverance in the next

Karma – a belief that the present condition of a person’s life reflects what a person did/did not do in a previous life

Karma determines what you will be reincarnated as

Meditate to reach Brahman Political leaders justified

the Caste System

Religions – Hinduism continued

Buddha – (means “enlightened one”) was shocked by death and suffering on earth

Began to search for peace Eliminate desire for things

(process called Nirvana) Must have no desire; cultivate

compassion; honesty; unselfishness; reject violence; have a job that doesn’t bring violence to living creatures; no evil thoughts

Did not recognize the Caste System which made the lower caste people to want to join

Religions - Buddhism

Originally, all had to shave heads and wear robes

Split in to two groups1. Hinayanna – “little

vehicle”; believe Buddha was a man

2. Mahayana – “big vehicle”; believe Buddha was a human incarnation of God

Religions – Buddhism continued

Chandragupta began the Mauryan Empire in 300 B.C.

Huge army; 700,000+ soldiers; chariots; elephants

Had postal service; good roads; owned all the way to Hindu Kush

Ashoka (son of Chandragupta) earned the title “Conqueror” by killing 100,000+ and capturing over150,000

Leaders in India

After Ashoka’s death, the empire crumbled in 230 B.C.

Foreign rulers owned until 320 A.D. when different Guptas took over

Chandragupta I started the Golden Age until overthrown in 535 A.D. by foreign invaders

Leaders in India

Random Indian Slides of stuff…

Study

for

your

TEST!