Ancient India

Geography of India India is a subcontinent or a large landmass that juts out from the continent. The mountains and the deserts as well as the rivers and oceans separate the people of India from the rest of the world. These are known as geographic barriers.

Geographic Barriers Geographic barriers Himalayan Mountains Hindu Kush Mountains Thar Desert Deccan Plateau Indus River Ganges River Indian Ocean

Mountains G The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, is located in the Himalayas. Himalayas and Hindu Kush separate the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia. Himalayas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- hTVNidxg2s

Rivers G Indus River - flows across northwest edge of the Indian subcontinent. Home of one of ancient world’s great river valley civilizations. Ganges River – flows across northeast edge. Hindus believe the river is sacred and that bathing in it will purify them.

Desert Region Thar Desert G Deccan Plateau – high plateau receiving less rain than other parts of subcontinent Between the mountains and the plateau are the Northern Plains, where society first developed in India. G

Monsoons Seasonal winds Winter monsoons – northeast winds blow cool, dry air from Central Asia, drier months. Summer monsoon – from southwest, war air, heavy rains from Indian Ocean, most of annual rainfalls at this time

Effects of Monsoons Good Bad Rains cause the rivers to flood, depositing silt and making fertile farmland. Heavy rains add to the fertility of the plains. People depend on them. Explain Monsoons https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=9peDRkO-TLc Rains too heavy – crops, homes, lives could be lost Rains too late – not last long enough, people couldn’t grow crops, famine possible Monsoon Damage https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=ifzUnd9oISw

Indus Valley Civilizations In 1920s, archeologists discovered two huge, ancient cities along the Indus River, Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, in modern day Pakistan. They named this civilization the Harappan civilization. Estimated that it thrived between 2300 and 1700 BC and lasted 1000 years Cities with populations of approximately 30,000 Very little known about them. Few weapons found, so thought to be peaceful. Mohenjo Daro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCYx-_WqcKc

Harappan Achievements Writing system – We can’t read it. Trade – Mesopotamia Wheeled vehicles Art – pottery, jewelry, ivory Advanced cities Plumbing Wells Great Bath Well-planned, grid system Art – pottery, jewelry, ivory, seals

Aryans Harappan Civilization ended around 1700 BC for unknown reasons (Invaders? Natural disasters?) Group called Aryans migrate into the valley from central Asia. Small communities ruled by leaders called rajas. Best known for: Sanskrit – most important language of ancient India The Vedas – religious writings

Sanskrit I At first was only a spoken language, later written down. No longer widely spoken today, but is the root of many modern South Asian languages.

The Vedas Four Vedas Religious poems, hymns, myths, and rituals written by Aryan priests. Basis of Indian religion for centuries. Blended with ideas from other cultures and eventually created a religion called Hinduism, the largest religion in India today. Vedic Hymn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SoORbYCPEA&ind ex=1&list=PLUSRfoOcUe4bVIuGblTHsSCeJS3FAyTzr

Major Beliefs of Hinduism: A universal spirit called Brahman created the universe and everything in it. Everything in the world, even the gods, is just a part of Brahman. Every person has a soul or atman that will eventually join with Brahman. People’s souls are reincarnated, or reborn into a different body, many times before they can join with Brahman. A person’s karma, or effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul, affects how he/she will be reincarnated. Hinduism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g7WtVchtcQ

Major Gods - Brahma Brahma The Creator The god Brahma represents the creator aspect of Brahman. His four faces symbolize the four Vedas.

Major Gods - Siva Siva The Destroyer Siva, the destroyer aspect of Brahman, is usually shown with four arms and three eyes. Often shown dancing on the back of a demon he has defeated.

Major Gods - Vishnu Vishnu The Preserver Vishnu is the preserver aspect of Brahman. In his four arms, he carries a conch shell, a mace, and a discus, symbols of his power and greatness.

Other Gods Activity Briefly research about your assigned god or goddess and be prepared to present a picture and what you have learned about the deity. Ganesha Shiva Krishna Rama Hanuman Vishnu Lakshmi Durga Kali Saraswati