World History

Chapter 3Sections 1 and 3

Early Civilizations and Empires of India and Pakistan

Physical Geography of India

Geography of the Subcontinent

• India is isolated from the rest of Asia by the Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges.

• The Northern Gangetic Plain sits at the feet of the two mountain ranges and is the most fertile farming area.

• The climate of India is controlled by the monsoons, wet and dry seasonal wind patterns.

Rise of the Indus Valley Civilization

• The Indus Valley civilization emerged around 2600 B.C. (500 yrs. after Egypt, 800 yrs. after Sumer)

• The Indus people built a number of cities known for their organization and advanced public works.

• The civilization lasted for 700 yrs. And traded with other cultures as far away as the Arabian Peninsula.

Fall of the Indus Valley Civilization

• Around 1900 B.C. the archaeological evidence begins to show a civilization in decline.

• While we do not know the cause of the fall the evidence points to sudden catastrophic end.

• Nearly all of our knowledge of the Indus is based on artifacts because we have not deciphered the sparse written records that have been recovered.

The Aryan Civilization

• Around the time of the demise of the Indus a new culture moved to India from Europe and Central Asia known as the Aryans.

• The Aryans left little written records or artifacts but their influence can be traced through the Vedic texts.

• The nomadic Aryans settled into villages in Northern India and began to develop kingdoms.

Aryan Society

• Aryan society was divided into social classes based upon occupation.– Brahmins – religious priests– Kshatriyas – warriors– Vaisyas – farmers, artisans, and merchants– Sudras – non-Aryans, servants, and laborers– Dalits – those relegated to work no other caste

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Aryan Religion

• Aryan religion is the primary but not sole basis for modern Hinduism.

• Aryan religion was polytheistic and animistic with a primary god of war named Indra.

• Aryan religion also shows henotheistic tendencies as the concept of Brahman – a spiritual force beyond even the gods.

The Maurya Empire

• The Maurya ruled northern India for 140 years.

• The empire was united by an advanced road system but controlled through violent oppression.

• This characteristic was changed under the rule of Asoka who rejected violence following his conversion to Buddhism.

The Gupta Empire

• After 500 years of disunity the Gupta empire reunited most of India.

• Under the Gupta India increased farm production, and trade using the new wealth to fund cultural development.

Indian Contributions to Learning

• Indian mathematicians developed our modern number system.

• India also developed the concept of zero and the decimal system.

• Indian physicians made advances in medicine and surgery but most importantly the practice of vaccinations.

Family Life in India

• The ideal family setting in India was a Joint or extended family setting, multiple generations in a single dwelling.

• Indian families were patriarchal but tradition and religious law constrained complete authority.

• Families made important decisions for children such as marriage arrangements based upon caste and family considerations.

The Roles of Women and Class

• Roles and privileges for women varied by class with upper-class women experiencing greater restrictions.

• Women were believed to be in need of direction provided by their husbands and their primary duties were limited to marriage and child-rearing.

• A woman’s reincarnation depended primarily on her devotion to her husband to the point of death.