India: Geography & 1st Civilizations

Map of India You are going to draw a map of India by hand on a sheet of typing paper. Use pg. 195 in the book as a model. label the following items: Arabian Sea Indian Ocean Deccan Plateau Ganges Plain Himalaya mountains Karakoram Range Ganges River Indus River 30N, Tropic of Cancer, 10N Label Rivers in blue and color mountains brown. Draw a compass with the cardinal directions

India’s Geography

Geography & 1st Civilizations Subcontinent: large land mass; part of continent, but separate Himalayas: northern India; highest mtns. in world Two River Valleys Ganges: flows from Himalayas to Indian Ocean Indus: flows into Arabian Sea D. Deccan plateau below river valleys

1st Civilization II. Civilization A. 1st in the Indus R. Valley: Harappa or Indus 1. farmers: rice, wheat, barley, peas, cotton 2. no written records, no weapons found in ruins B. Aryans from central Asia 1. herders – became farmers, good warriors a. pepper, ginger, cinnamon, wheat, barley 2. settled Indus river valley, expanded to Deccan Plateau 3. Organized into tribes led by a Raja 4. Brought written language called Sanskrit

Varnas & the caste system With your caste, use pages 255 and 256 to determine the following: How do you pronounce your caste? What jobs do you have? What are your responsibilities? What level of the caste system are you? (1 being top, 4 being bottom)? Who is the lowest level of Indian society and NOT actually part of the caste/varna system?

Caste System Four Castes (varnas) 1. Brahmans: priests – religious ceremonies 2. Kshatriyas: warrior, rulers – ran govt./army 3. Vaisyas: common people – farmers, merchants, craftspeople 4. Sudras: unskilled labor/workers, few rights, biggest caste population

Pariahs Pariahs do not belong to a caste “untouchables” collected trash skinned animals handled dead bodies

Societal Organization III. Caste System A. Caste – social group born into 1. Cannot change 2. determines job, who you marry, people you socialize with B. Four Castes (varnas) 1. Brahmans: priests 2. Kshatriyas: warrior, rulers 3. Vaisyas: common people – farmers/merchants 4. Sudras: unskilled labor/workers, few rights, biggest caste population C. Pariahs do not belong to a caste – “untouchables” collected trash, skinned animals, handled dead bodies IV. Family Life A. Only men are educated or become priests. B. Grandparents, parents, kids live together C. Wealthy families had a guru who taught the boys

RelIgion I. Hinduism 3rd largest religion in world Polytheistic (actually thousands of gods and goddesses) Gods part of universal spirit called Brahman Every living being has a soul that wants to unite with Brahman after death D. Person must pass through many lives (reincarnation) to be united with Brahman – E. Being a good person gets you good Kharma 1. must fulfill your Dharma or duties of your station in life – farmer, priest, etc. F. Good Kharma = closer to Brahman in the next life G. Bad Kharma = further from Brahman in next life

Page 204 Understanding Charts: 1 & 2 - Write Question and answer in complete sentences. Reading Check Question – Answer in 4-5 complete sentences.

Religion II. Buddhism A. founded by Siddhartha Gautama 1. born in Nepal to wealthy family 2. saw beggars and sick beyond palace walls – wondered “Why do people suffer and how can their suffering be cured?” 3. Fasted and meditated until he saw a great light and had the answer. 4. Taught his lessons to people about life and the nature of suffering. 5. Became known as Buddha “Enlightened One”

Buddhism Continued B. Buddha believed world was not real – everything is an illusion (trees, grass, poverty, sickness). C. Buddha says only way to find truth is to give up all desires. D. By giving up all worldly desires (fame, money) poverty and hunger would vanish. E. If a person gives up all worldly desires the reach nirvana – a state of wisdom. Buddha does not accept varna/caste system.

Buddah’s 4 noble truths 1. life is full of suffering 2. People suffer because they desire worldly things. 3. End suffering by stopping desire for things. 4. Way to stop desiring things is the eightfold path.

Buddhism’s Eightfold path 1. know the Four Noble Truths 2. Give up worldly things/do not harm others 3. Tell the truth, don’t gossip 4. Don’t kill, steal, live uncleanly 5. Do rewarding work 6. Work for good, oppose evil 7. keep senses under control 8. Practice meditation to understand reality

Two types of buddhism Therevada Buddhism – “teachings of elders,” Buddha is not a god. Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos Mahayana Buddhism – Buddha is a god Tibet: Theocracy – religious leaders head government Dalai Lama: headed government Panchen Lama: headed religion Both believed to be reincarnation of Buddha

Guided reading Example Outline Teaching of Buddha Different Reincarnation End to rebirth Follow 8-fold path Untouchables & lower Jati reach Enlightenment After Buddha's death – disagreement Theravada – Buddha not god Mahayana - Buddha is god

India’s first empires I. Mauryan Dynasty A. Dynasty = series of rulers from same family B. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya C. Alexander the Great’s invasion = Indian kingdoms weak 1. Maurya seized opportunity to conquer/unite them E. Centralized government – capital = Pataliputra F. Strong communications system, postal service.

India’s 1st empires continued Asoka – ruled Mauryan dynasty from 273 – 232 B.C. Mauryan dynasty’s greatest ruler. Became Buddhist, devoted life to peace 1. Built hospitals (people and animals), roads, and roadside shelters. 2. Sent Buddhist teachers throughout India 3. Built dome-shaped stupas – Buddhist shrines

Gupta empire Gupta Empire Founded by another man named Chandragupta. Empire was wealthy from trade Owned gold and silver mines Guptas were Hindu and built many shrines Gupta empire was golden age of Indian art and culture.

Ancient Indian Culture I. Songs and literature A. Vedas: Hymns and prayers for religious ceremonies B. Epics: Mahabharata & Ramayana 1. Mahabharata: longest poem in any written language II. Science & Math A. Arybhata: one of 1st scientists to use algebra B. Indians developed concept of “zero.” C. Created symbols for 1 through 9. D. invented algorithm F. 1st to come up with idea of atoms G. Doctors set broken bones and performed surgery