Ancient India

Geography Subcontinent – a large land mass that is smaller than a continent and is separated by physical features from a continent. Himalayas –Mountain range in North of India that separate it from the rest of Asia. Early civilization developed along the Indus River.

Climate Hot and Humid Monsoons – heavy seasonal rains that occur in India.

Ganges Indus river Bay of Bengal Sri Lanka Arabian Sea

Harappan Civilization Harrapan civilization – the civilization that grew along the Indus river. Grew as irrigation and agriculture improved. Harappa – main city Mohejo- Daro – other main city Well planned

Harappan Achievements Indoor plumbing Excellent pottery Cotton clothing Jewelry

http://www.harappa.com/indus/1.html http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html

Aryan Civilization Invaded from central Asia Took control of the entire Indus river valley. Vedas- collection of poems hymns and myths written by Aryan Priest. Nomads – traveled Lived in small communities. Each community had its own leader

Raja- leader of small communities in Aryan Society. Villagers worked for Raja. Aryan language - Sanskrit

Section 2 Aryan Society became divided into groups. Four main groups: Brahmins- Priest Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors Vaisyas – Farmers, craftspeople, and Traders Sudras –labors and non - Aryans

The Caste System Divided Indian Society based on a persons wealth, birth or occupation. The four main groups were divided into thousands of subgroups. Their was no movement from group to group but the status of a group could change.

Caste rules People could not marry outside of their caste Couldn’t eat with a person from another caste. If you broke the rules you became an untouchable

Untouchables Not members of any group Seen as unclean and outcast Non untouchables were forbidden contact with them.

Brahminism Aryan Religion was called Brahminism Based on the Vedas Vedas – contain sacred Hymns and Poems

Vedas Rig Veda – the oldest Hymns and praise to the Gods Vedic Text –religious rituals Vedic text – contains secret rituals that only certain people could perform Upanishads- Reflections on the Vedas by students and teachers.

Hinduism The Ideas of Brahmanism and the Vedas blended with the ideas of other cultures and became Hinduism.

Hindu Beliefs Polytheistic Three Major Gods: Brahma – the creator Vishnu the preserver Siva the destroyer Brahman- the supreme universal spirit that flows through all things.

Brahma

Siva Vishnu

Life and rebirth Karma – the effects a good or bad actions have on your soul. Atman – soul Based on how well a person follows Caste rules they are born up or down the Caste rank. How you are born is based on your Karma. The ultimate goal is to have no further rebirths and to have your atman become one with Brahman. This world is an illusion.

Hinduism You must accept your place in the world without complaint. Women are inferior to men

Jainism Based on the Teachings of Mahavira Beliefs Injure no life Tell the truth Do not steal Own no property Ahimsa – practice non violence

Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama – 505 B.C. – Prince who founded Buddhism Buddha – means Enlightened one Buddhism – religion based on the teachings of Buddha Was a prince Sought the answer to the question ; Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?

Legend has that he meditated for 40 day and fasted on a single grain of rice. The Answer : Because of Selfish Desires Wanting what we like but do not have Wanting to keep what we like and already have Not wanting what we dislike but have

4 truths 1. Suffering are part of life 2. Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods. 3. People can overcome desire and reach Nirvana ( a state of Spiritual peace) 4. Follow an 8 fold path

8 fold path Think right Right intent Right speed Right Action Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration

Mauryan Empire Mauryan empire – founded by Chandragupta Mayura. Lasted 150 years Added central India Asoka- added most of India- became Buddhist monk and rejected war

Gupta Empire United northern and central India Hindu becomes India’s Religion also supported Buddhism and Janism. Chandra Gupta II – Ruled during India’s highest point. Supported the Caste System.

India’s Achievements Built great Temples Stupas – domed roofs meant to house sacred items. Writing Kalidasa – Playwrite Ponchatantra- book of stories with moral lessons

Science – Metallurgy – work with metals Alloys – mixed two or more metals Math Hindu Arabic – numbers we use today Idea of Zero

Medicine Inoculation – give you small doses of virus to build up your immunity Astronomy Study of plants and stars Knew the sun was a star and planets evolved around it. Predicted eclipses of moon and sun.