Overview of India’s History Created by Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY Modified by Mr. Ken Barrett

The Harappan Civilization 3300 BCE BCE

Citadel Of Mohenjo- Daro

Characteristics: 1.Great River Civilization-Indus River 2. Major Complex Cities (Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa) a) huge cities (three miles in circumference) b) planned streets & indoor plumbing

3.Written Language 4.Declined after 2000 BC 5.Language remains a mystery 6.Similarities to Sumerian culture but also clear differences

Aerial View of Mohenjo- Daro

Wide View, Mohenjo-Daro

The Great Bath, Mohenjo-Daro

Granery, Mohenjo-Daro

pottery, Mohenjo-Daro

Bison Seal, Mohenjo- Daro

A Horned-God Seal, Mohenjo-Daro

A Male Head, Mohenjo- Daro Dravidian

A Priest-King, Mohenjo- Daro

Necklace, Mohenjo-Daro

Unicorn Seal, Harappa

Female Figures, Harappa

Bull Figurine, Harappa

Elephant Figurine, Harappa

Burial Pottery, Harappa

Male Skeleton, Harappa

Female Skeleton with Child, Harappa

Harappan Writing Undecipherable to date.

Aryan Invasions 1.Indo-Europeans 2.Sanskrit language 3.Brahman Religion-developed into Hinduism 4.Lighter skinned rulers over darker- skinned peoples-origin of Caste System

Aryan Migration  pastoral  depended on their cattle.  warriors  horse-drawn chariots.

Sanskrit writing

The Vedic Age The foundations for Hinduism were established!

Development of Empires Maurya Empire-300 BC Founder: Chandragupta Maurya Greatest Ruler: Emperor Asoka (Height of Buddhism in India, reflected in Asoka’s laws) Decline followed Asoka-Cruel, harsh rulers

Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE  Unified northern India.  Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement.  301 BCE  gave up his throne & became a Jain

The Maurya Empire 321 BCE – 185 BCE

Asoka (304 – 232 BCE)  Religious conversion after the gruesome battle of Kalinga in 262 BCE.  Dedicated his life to Buddhism.  Built extensive roads.  Conflict  how to balance methods of keeping power and Buddha’s demands to become a selfless person?

Asoka’s Empire

Asoka’s law code  Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan.  Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic.  10 rock edicts.  Each pillar [stupa] is 40’-50’ high.  Buddhist principles dominate his laws.

One of Asoka’s Stupas

Disintegration and Reorganization 185 BC- 320 AD

Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE

Golden Age of India The Gupta Empire Supported learning and the arts Developed the concept of Zero and the numbers symbols 0-9 Medical achievements Astronomy-knew of gravity and that the earth was round

International Trade Routes during the Guptas

Extensive Trade: 4 th Century spices spices gold & ivory rice & wheat horses cotton goods silks

Gupta Art Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

Medicine Literature Mathematics Astronomy Printed medicinal guides 1000 diseases classified Plastic Surgery C-sections performed Inoculations 500 healing plants identified Decimal System Concept of Zero PI = Kalidasa Solar Calendar The earth is round Gupta India Gupta Achievements

The Decline of the Guptas  Invasion of the White Huns in the 4c signaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even though at first, the Guptas defeated them.  After the decline of the Gupta empire, north India broke into a number of separate Hindu kingdoms and was not really unified again until the coming of the Muslims in the 7c.

Muslim India Muslims arrive from Middle East in the 600’s and 700’s Muslims arrive from Middle East in the 600’s and 700’s Turkish Muslims invade Turkish Muslims invade Capital: Delhi Capital: Delhi Mogul Dynasty established under Babur Mogul Dynasty established under Babur Akbar the Great ruled most of India Akbar the Great ruled most of India Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal

The British Raj ’s & 1500’s Arrival of Europeans 2.Mogul Empire Declines in the 18 th Century 3.Small kingdoms (Rajahs) emerge as Mogul Empire Breaks apart 4.The British Empire fills the power vacuum left by the Moguls

Initially dominated by the East India Company 5. Initially dominated by the East India Company 6. Company’s policies led to unrest and the Sepoy Mutiny (1859) 7. British Government ended Company rule and assumed direct control of India

India: 18c-early 19c