WHI.4 Classical India

India is located on a “subcontinent”. A subcontinent is a landmass that is smaller than a continent. India is a “subcontinent” of Asia. It is divided from Asia by the Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.

India Himalaya Mountains- to the NE tallest mountains in the world. Hindu Kush Mountains- to the NW, above the Indus river. Mountain pass in the Hindu Kush. This was the passage for invaders who entered India. India

Himalaya Mountains 29, 035 ft

Khyber Pass

Most important rivers of India India Ganges River - Most sacred river of India. Indus River -Site of the first Indian Civilization

Indus River

The Winds (monsoons) have played a major role in India’s history Summer Monsoon Winter Monsoon Monsoons are seasonal winds. These winds blow from different directions during different times of the year. Summer Monsoon blows over the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean bringing rain to India. Winter Monsoon blows over land and is dry. Arabian Sea Indian Ocean Bay of Bengal

Classical Indian civilization began in the Indus River Valley between B.C.E. and spread to the Ganges River Valley, then through the Indian subcontinent. Indian culture continued with little interruption because the physical geography helped to isolate and protect India. Two ancient Indus cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

Physical barriers such as the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Indian Ocean made invasion more difficult. Mountain passes in the Hindu Kush provided migration routes into the Indian subcontinent.

Around 1500 B.C.E., the Indo-Aryan people migrated and invaded into India through the Khyber Pass. The Aryans asserted their dominance and created a rigidly structured society known as the caste system. Aryans blended their beliefs with the indigenous (native) Indian people.

Caste System- social division in India This strict hereditary hierarchy influenced all social interactions & choices of occupations. One is born into a caste and may not change within his/her lifetime. Each caste has its set of duties, known as Dharma. You must obey your dharma to get good karma and be reincarnated into a higher caste in the next life.

Untouchables These people were the bottom of Hindu society, they were not considered part of the caste system. About 5% of the population of India. They were required to perform the dirtiest jobs dealing with trash, human waste, and death. Discrimination against them continues today, even though the caste system has been declared illegal.

-The Aryans introduced Sanskrit around 1000 B.C.E. - The written language known as Sanskrit enabled the peoples to write down their stories and religious chants and rituals. - These eventually became the sacred texts of Hinduism, the Vedas.

Mauryan Dynasty- Chandragupta Maurya Chandragupta Maurya In 321 B.C.E., a military officer named Chandragupta Maurya overthrew a northern Indian king, founded the Mauryan Dynasty, and united most of northern and central India until 184 B.C.E. Established a strong army and efficient postal system

Asoka- Chandragupta Maurya’s grandson Asoka’s rule began in 274 B.C.E. built an empire that covered two-thirds of India. He converted to Buddhism (from Hinduism) and spread the religion through China and Asia using missionaries. Asoka issued laws of humanity- free hospitals, veterinary clinics, good roads, allowed people to practice Hinduism. Mauryan Dynasty declined after the death of Asoka. Mauryan Dynasty- Asoka

500 years later, Chandragupta I began the Gupta Dynasty, known as the Golden Age of classical Indian culture. The height of the Gupta Dynasty was under Chandragupta II. Gupta Dynasty established a strong central government, powerful army, and cultural achievements. Gupta Dynasty contributions: Mathematics (concept of zero, infinity, Arabic numerals 1-9) Medical advances (set bones, operations) Astronomy (concept of the earth is round) Textiles (cloth products) Literature (epic stories, Sanskrit) Trade (connections to Rome, China and the Middle East) Gupta Dynasty

Hinduism originiated in India as a result of the blending of Aryan and indigenous beliefs. Beliefs of Hinduism: Darma- duties of each caste that must be performed Karma-Good and bad deeds that one does Reincarnation- the cycle of life, death and rebirth

Yoga Was developed as a method of training the body to achieve oneness with Brahman. It is a form of meditation.

Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Guatama, he later became known as “The Buddha” Siddhartha began his life as a prince living behind palace walls. He never knew about human suffering. One day he left the palace and witnessed human suffering in the form of sickness and death. He felt his life was a lie and abandoned it to become an ascetic, or wandering “holy man” in an attempt to find an end for human suffering.

Seeking Truth Siddhartha tried many different ways of achieving enlightenment. He tried mediation, fasting, physical discomfort, but none along worked for him. He almost starved himself to death at one point. After that he knew he needed to try something different. Enlightenment Siddhartha decided that he would meditate until he discovered the way to end human suffering. Bodhi Tree: He sat under a Bodhi tree and said that he would not get up until he had achieved enlightenment. He mediated for 40 days amidst temptation, and at the end said that he was “awake” he had achieved, Nirvana, or Enlightenment. This is when he became the Buddha, or enlightened one.

Teachings of the Buddha Four Noble Truths 1.All life is full of suffering 2.We suffer because we desire things that are illusions. We want material possessions. 3.The way to not suffer is to overcome our desire 4.To do that one must follow the Eightfold path, or Middle Way

The Eightfold Path (The Middle Way) 1.Right view One must understand the four noble truths. 2. Right intention Know what you really want 3. Right speech Speak truth and speak well of others. 4. Right action Do not kill, steal, lie, be unchaste, or take drugs or alcohol. 5. Right livelihood Don’t do a job that harms others. 6. Right effort Do your best, always 7. Right mindfulness Keep control of yourself and your urges. 8. Right concentration One must meditate to understand the world.

Spread of Buddhism Spread from northern India all the way to China via the Silk Road. Asoka (Ashoka): The Emperor Asoka sent missionaries throughout Asia. He is greatly responsible for spreading Buddhism outside India into the rest of Asia.

Pagodas, also associated with Buddhism evolved from Stupas. They are usually Buddhist temples or shrines.

Mathematics The decimal numeral system, including the concept of zero, was invented in India during the reign of the Guptas Our numbering system, now called Arabic Numbers (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) was developed by Indian mathematicians.