EARLY INDIA THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS

GEOGRAPHY IN EARLY INDIA HISTORY Himalayas provided natural boundaries on the western side of India Khyber Pass allowed a narrow opening for trade Two major rivers: Indus River and Ganges Monsoons= Strong winds that carry moisture

SECTION 1 CONT. Early civilizations had advanced cities with two story homes, bathrooms, garbage chutes. Citadels were the focus of the city and contained large storehouses for grain/rice Written language was in the form of pictographs The gods of the early Indians were depicted by animals like elephants, bulls, etc.

INDO-ARYANS MIGRANTS Early travelers came from Europe and moved into India settling most of India around 1750 BC Known as the Vedic age because of religious texts known as Vedas Outside worship Brahmins

INDO-ARYANS Stationary under the rule of a Raja Able to control most of India with exception of the far south Able to subdue many of the darker Gangetic peoples who had migrated from Africa. Familial ties continued through arranged marriages

RISE OF MAURYAN EMPIRE Chandragupta Maurya organizes an incredible army to control India Asoka continues as grandson but becomes a pacifist and converts to Buddhism Law codes and religious tolerance. Improved trade routes Gupta Rulers promote Hinduism Golden age of India around 300 AD

ECONOMY AND SOCIETY ¼ of goods were paid in the form of taxes Not many wealthy people but most survive because of fertility of land Patriarchal society: Suttee and polygyny Many early writings and theatre Education Stupa Math (negative numbers, abstract numbers, algebra) Medicine (clean hospitals, inoculations, bone setting)