UNIT 2 Day 13: Ancient India and Hinduism

Geography  Subcontinent  Large landmass that is part of a continent  3 major zones:  North: Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountains  South: Deccan Plateau (dry, arid)  Middle: Northern Plains (first society develops) Heavy rains make soil fertile Rain is carried by seasonal winds (MONSOONS)

Indus Valley Civilization, 2500 BC  2 Cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro  Well planned, streets ran in grid pattern, wells, drains  Citadel: walled/elevated building in city Held granaries, warehouses, meeting halls  Homes/shops/shrines built outside citadel  Economy: agriculture and trade  Decline, 2000 BC (Moh.Da. abandoned)  Floods? Ran out of resources? Disease?

Vedic Period, post-2000 BC  Aryans (nobles) ruled India  Moved from area btwn Caspian and Black seas?  Sacred writing: Vedas  Villages band together  Regional leaders: Rajas War leader, protection, paid in food&$  Social classes: Varnas 1. Brahmins (priests/teachers) 2. Kshatriyas (warriors/rulers) 3. Vaisyas (traders, farmers, etc) 4. Sudras (servants)

Hinduism: History  Practiced by most of India today  Brahman  Eternal being that created/preserves world  Each person has atman, or soul Atman shapes personality and can not be destroyed  Devas: help maintain order in nature (3) Brahma: creator Vishnu: the preserver Siva: the destroyer

Hinduism: Practices  Reincarnation  released from body and reborn in another  Nature of life shaped by karma (effect of deeds)  Moksha  Ultimate goal of existence  Escape from cycle of rebirth, releases one from earth  Dharma Set of spiritual duties Only way to reach moksha Varies based on class/station of life  Text: Vedas, Physical: Yoga, Nonviolence: ahimsa

Crash Course: India  1EF80C9 1EF80C9