India Unit Four

Section One Indian Cities

Agenda 4-1-15 Warm-up: Finish India Unit Hinduism v. Buddhism venn diagram. Finish Egypt Unit work, India Map, and India city drawing Venn Diagram: Indian society v. our society China Map

India’s First Civilization Emerged in river valleys 3000-1500 B.C. Two early cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Historians call these regions the “Indus Valley”

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Both had around 35-40,000 people Both were carefully planned Main streets ran north-south, side streets east-west Buildings and homes were made from mud brick Homes had a drainage system which flowed out of the homes, under the streets Had a trash removal system which ran to the street as well.

Assignment Draw a picture of an Ancient Indian city. Show at least 3 components of the city as stated in your notes. Write a short paragraph of 4-6 sentences explaining what you have drawn.

Government and Society Section Two Government and Society

Rulers Believed in divine power Religion and politics were linked Palace and temple were connected Rulers often prayed for a big harvest as it was a farming society Traded with Mesopotamia for textiles and food by sending them copper, lumber, stones, and cotton

Society Early India was taken over by a group of people known as Aryans. Ancient India developed a caste system which continues to this day. At birth, position in society, social status, and economic potential were already decided. Five castes or groups existed

Castes of India Priests: Known as Brahmans, ran religious ceremonies Warriors: Protectors of society Commoners: Merchants or farmers Sudras: Non-Aryans , mostly peasant farmers Untouchables: Worked on undesirable tasks such as collecting trash/dead bodies

Family 3 Generations often lived together (grandparents, parents, children Male dominated authority (patriarchal) Only men could inherit property, serve as priests, only men were educated Upper class men were to get twelve years of education before marriage Marriages were arranged Female widows had to throw their bodies on the fire with the body of their deceased husbands

Assignment Create a venn diagram which shows how Indian is similar to and different from our society

Section Three Religion

Hinduism Came from the beliefs of the Aryans who conquered India Evidence comes from the Vedas, collections of hymns passed down by word of mouth Believed in a single force of the universe, called Brahman The individual was to follow Hindu teachings in order to merge with Brahman after death

Hinduism Key concepts: karma and dharma Karma: Action in current life determines what they will be in the next (reincarnation) Karma is ruled by dharma or divine law. Dharma requires people to do their duty in society, which was determined by position Higher classes had higher expectations placed upon them.

Hinduism Yoga was taught as a way to achieve union with Brahman Hundreds of gods, but, they mainly had three chief gods Brahma-the Creator, Vishnu-the Preserver, Siva-the Destroyer Today Hinduism remains the dominant religion of India

Buddhism Emerged in the 6th century B.C. Founder was Siddhartha Gautama (“The Buddha”) Gautama was the son of a ruler Married a princess Had a very good life, but was extremely bothered by the suffering of others He gave up his life of luxury and set out to find the “true meaning” of life. At one point, he nearly starved to death

Buddhism Buddhists try to reach “enlightenment” through mediation (whereby they believed they knew the meaning of life.) Buddhism has four principles (Four Noble Truths) One-Ordinary life is full of suffering Two-Suffering is caused by a desire to please ourselves Three-The way to end suffering is to end selfishness Four- The way to end suffering is to follow the eight fold path

Middle Path (Eight Fold Path) First-Right view-need to know the four noble truths Second-Right intention-We need to decide what we really want Third-Right Speech-Speak the truth, and speak well of others Four-Right Action-Do not kill, steal, lie, or do drugs and alcohol Five-Right livelihood-Do uplifting work Six-Right effort-Constant effort until you complete a task Seven- Right Mindfullness-Control mind, control senses Eight-Right Concentration-Meditation

Buddhism Accepted reincarnation Rejected caste system Goal was to reach nirvana, to reunite with the “Great World Soul” Didn’t want to be seen as a god Many thought of it as a philosophy because of this Buddhism spread throughout Asia after his death

Cultural Achievements Section Four Cultural Achievements

India is important because: Two religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) began there. Created a trade route with China that became known as the silk road, allowing Indian ideas to spread throughout Asia. Written language: Sanskrit was created to write down religious and other teachings. Literature told stories of great warriors.

Architecture Three main types of architecture were created: pillar, stupa, and rock chamber. Pillars were often created on the sides of roads to mark events in the Buddha’s life. Stupas (burial mound) housed relics of the Buddha, such as a lock of hair. Rock chambers were a series of rocks constructed to house the monks who practiced Buddhism.

Science Recognized earth was a sphere and rotated on its axis. Among the first to use algebra Concept of zero