Ancient India Harrapans arose in the Indus River Valley Subcontinent relatively isolated with a mixture of cultures ARYANS moved south acrossHindu Kush mountains into India Developed agriculture and use of Iron – introduces in ME by Hittites Iron Plow, Irrigation, transformed region into rich agricultural region

India Map What obstacles do you notice?

Aryan contributions Chieftan- raja lead community Transformed into kings called maharaja *still required to follow dharma – laws and behavior standards Outside influence by Alexander the Great (Greeks) who left behind administrators who influenced the area for generations. What happened to Alexander? Where?

Chandragupta Maurya 324-301BCE Drove out Greeks and established empire Caste system Introduced by Aryans, social classification and determined occupation and status in society and hope for salvation (reincarnation)

Social Structure of Caste

Hinduism and Buddhism (and Jainism) Reincarnation Karma – rebirth determined by actions in this life Brahman – highest in caste Dharma- law Jainism- extreme version of Buddhism- poverty, pain, self torture Siddhartha Gautama 8 fold path No caste system Middle path- right know., purpose, speech, conduct, occupation, awareness, meditation, effort Reincarnation Nirvana 4 noble truths

Daily Life in Ancient India Family- extended family with patriarch Marriage- women subordinates to husbands, Sati- women seen as an economic burden Economy- farming, trade, manufacturing-spices, teak, perfumes, etc.

Ashoka 269-232BCE Began rule conquering and killing Converted to Buddhism Benevolent rule (grandson of Chandragupta Maurya) Spread Buddhism thruout India