Ancient India Unit 2 – South Asia Global Studies 9

Ancient India Around 2500 B.C., civilization began in the Indus River Valley. Chief cities Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Well planned: Strong central governments

Early Civilization

Harappan Writing  Undecipherable to date Rule and Religion Priests/Kings most likely presided over the civilizations. The people were polytheistic Harappan Writing  Undecipherable to date

Agriculture Thriving agricultural economy: Why? Food surplus lead to the growth of trade in the region of South Asia Traded with civilizations in Middle East. First to grow cotton Grew barley, wheat, peas, and sesame. Herds = Cattle, sheep, goats, and water buffaloes.

Aspects of the City Warehouses stored grain Laid out in grid pattern: blocks were larger than modern blocks What were taxes? Houses had somewhat modern plumbing systems Baths, drains, and water chutes that lead to sewers. Uniform system of weights and measures.

Aerial View

Bath Houses

Sewer and Well

Decline Indus Valley began to decline around 1500 B.C. Started showing signs of decay around 2000 B.C. Arrival of nomadic, warlike people.

Migration

Arrival of the Aryans Rough, fierce nomadic herders Came through the Khyber Pass Organization = tribes Chiefs called rajahs Came through Caucasus Mts. in the Middle East Iron tools and weaponry Charioteers

Aryans and the Vedic Age Vedas – Aryan oral traditions that included hymns, prayers, and magic spells used by priests. One of the oldest pieces of surviving religious literature Eventually written down in Sanskrit (700 B.C.) Era known as the Vedic Age (1500 B.C. – 500 B.C.)

Sanskrit

Religion Polytheistic Most important was Indra, the Warrior God. Worship centered around sacrifices. Indra the Warrior God

Aryan Villages After years of moving across the northern plains, they began to settle. Farmers and herders Great emphasis on cattle Wealth measured this way Village council ruled Rajah had overall responsibility

Aryan Social Classes Divided into 4 classes, called varna Brahmans (priests) l Kshatriyas (warriors) Vaisyas (landowners, merchants and herders) Sudras (servants and peasants)

Social Classes These classes eventually became more rigid, and forged the caste system. This laid the foundation for Hinduism

Powerful Empires of India Global Studies 9

Mauryan Empire (321 B.C. – 185 B.C.) Founded by Chandragupta Maurya Gained power in Ganges Valley Army gained power: soon after conquered Northern India Descendents conquered much of Deccan Plateau From 321 – 185 B.C. Maurya dynasty ruled a large empire.

Mauryan Empire

Pataliputra Pataliputra  Located in northern plains. Largest and most prosperous city in the world at that time. Schools Library Palaces, Temples, and parks. Huge Wall around the city Crowned with 570 towers and 64 gates.

Under Chandrgupta Royal officials supervised the building of roads and harbors to benefit trade. Other officials collected taxes and managed state-owned factories and shipyards. Strong government and efficient bureaucracy  System of managing government through departments run by appointed officials.

Under Chandragupta Rule was very harsh Chandragupta was suspicious of his many enemies. Brutal secret police reported on crime corruption and dissent within the empire.

Asoka and His Reforms Chandragupta’s grandson, Asoka, ruled from 269 – 232 B.C. Most honored emperor: Maurya at its height under Asoka Conquered Deccan with brutality Converted to Buddhism and rejected violence. Became a vegetarian: no animal sacrifices.

Asoka

Maurya Contributions Asoka and Mauryan Dynasty united diverse people in India for first time; brought peace and prosperity Spreading of Buddhism due to missionaries. Empire declined following his death

Transition For 500 years after the fall of the Maurya Empire, Northern India was a battlefield. Greeks, Pahlavas, Kushans Southern India developed by Dravidians.

The Gupta Empire A.D. 320; Ambitious young warrior, who named himself Chandragupta I (after the late emperor), started the Gupta Empire. Golden Age  A time of peace and prosperity when arts and culture flourish. Under Guptas, India had a golden age. 320 – 520 A.D.

Gupta Empire Organized a strong central government Looser rule than Maurya; Power left in hands of individual rulers and city governments. Trade/Agriculture flourished.

Contributions of the Gupta Empire Mathematicians developed the decimal system; symbols for 1-9 Arabs adopted; spread to Europe Developed the concept of zero Allowed for more complicated calculations

Contributions Indian physicians were the first to use herbs and other natural remedies to treat illness. Doctors could set broken bones and perform simple plastic surgery. Vaccinated for smallpox; 1,000 years before this was done in Europe.

Contributions Gupta people built large, complex temples and shrines. Stupas  large, dome shaped shrines that housed the sacred remains of the Buddha or other holy people. Elaborate carvings and paintings on the wall.

Decline Weakened from civil war, weak rulers, and foreign invaders (Huns of South Asia). India split into many kingdoms and cities once again.