Topic 3 Ancient India and China (2600 B.C.-A.D. 550) Lesson 1 Early Civilization in South Asia

Learning Objectives Describe the Indian subcontinent’s geography. Understand the clues archaeology has provided about the rise and fall of the Indus civilization. Analyze the main characteristics of the Aryan civilization and the Vedic Age. Explain what ancient Indian epics reveal about Aryan life.

Key Terms subcontinent plateau monsoons Harappa Mohenjo-Daro veneration acculturation Vedas rajahs Indra Brahman Mystics large landmass juts out from a continent raised area of level land seasonal winds twin capitals of the civilization special regard Blending of two or more cultures Aryan hymns, chants, ritual instructions Aryan chiefs Aryan god of war A single spiritual power People who seek direct communion with the divine

Geography of the Indian Subcontinent In the early 1900s, archaeologists digging in the Indus River valley of Pakistan made some startling discoveries. They unearthed bricks, small clay seals, figurines, and other artifacts dissimilar in style to any they had seen before. The archaeologists soon realized they had uncovered a civilization that had flourished 4,500 years earlier.

Geography of the Indian Subcontinent Analyze Maps The Indian subcontinent has a diverse range of geographic features. Where did most people in ancient India settle? Why?

Geography of the Indian Subcontinent The Western Ghats rise up behind fertile farm fields in Pune, India.

Geography of the Indian Subcontinent Monsoons bring life-giving rains to the Indian subcontinent. Analyze Information How does the wind influence monsoons?

The Forgotten Indus Civilization About 2600 b.c., the earliest South Asian civilization emerged in the valleys of the Indus River and the now dried up Saraswati River in present-day Pakistan and India. The Indus civilization flourished for about 700 years. However, only since the 1920s have its once-prosperous cities emerged beneath the archaeologists’ picks and shovels. Archaeologists have investigated numerous Indus sites. Unfortunately, they have not yet turned up any names of kings or queens, tax records, literature, or accounts of famous victories.

The Forgotten Indus Civilization Well-Planned Cities Reveal Organized Government—Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Farmers (most people), Traders (went to Sumer cities), and Weavers (first to cultivate cotton and weave its fibers into cloth) Indus Religious Beliefs-Polytheistic, veneration for cattle A Mysterious Decline-scholars not sure invaders, cut down too many trees, major flood, earthquake, or drought

The Forgotten Indus Civilization Archaeologists discovered cities of the ancient Indus civilization in the 1920s. This excavated drainage system is in the city of Lothal, discovered in 1945.

Aryan Civilization and the Vedas During the centuries between 2000 b.c. and 1500 b.c., a new civilization developed after the decline of the Indus civilization. Although there is debate about how this civilization formed, it would shape the subcontinent for centuries to come.

Aryan Civilization and the Vedas Aryan Migration into India---Indo-European moved into area married locals From Nomads to Farmers---Rajahs-Aryan chiefs Aryans Structure Society---4 groups, Brahmins, Kshastriyas, Vaisya, Sudras The Aryan Religion---Polytheistic, Indra (chief diety), later toward a notion of Brahman, single spiritual power

Aryan Civilization and the Vedas The Vedas were recited for many years before they were written down. This page is from the Rig Veda, or “Knowledge of the Hymns of Praise,” the largest Veda, containing over 1,000 hymns.

Aryan Civilization and the Vedas The Aryans divided their people into castes, or groups, based on occupation. Infer How does the way Purusha’s body is divided show the status of a particular group in Aryan Society?

The Great Vedic Epics By 500 b.c., Indian civilization consisted of many rival kingdoms. Archaeologists have learned that cities were growing rapidly at this time as people left the countryside to practice skilled crafts. By this time, too, the written language, Sanskrit, that priests had used to write sacred texts began to flourish in literary usage.

The Great Vedic Epics Mahabharata Describes Warfare and Religion Ramayana Teaches Values

The Great Vedic Epics Artworks depicting scenes from the Mahabharata have been created since ancient times. This folk-art painting on cloth shows the god Krishna in a chariot pulled by horses.