CIVILIZATIONS IN INDIA

INDUS VALLEY 2500-1500 B.C.E. GEOGRAPHY The mountains guard an enormous flat and fertile plain formed by two rivers – The Indus and Ganges Rivers Modern day India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh Seasonal winds called monsoons dominate India’s climate.

GOVERNMENT Rulers based their power on a belief of divine assistance.

CITY PLANNING No one is really sure how human settlement began in India – perhaps they arrived by sea from Africa and settled the south. Archaeologists have found the ruins of more than 100 settlements along the Indus. The largest cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. The people of the Indus laid out their cities on a precise grid system. Buildings were constructed of oven-baked mud bricks.

Public wells provided a regular supply of water for all inhabitants. Bathrooms featured an advanced drainage system. Wastewater flowed out to drains located under the streets and then was carried to sewage pits beyond the city wall. Only a well-organized government could have maintained such carefully structured cities.

CONTRIBUTIONS 1ST plumbing system Vedas (collection of hymns) Math and writing system concept of zero, decimal system

What happened to the Indus Valley people? Floods, and earthquake, changes in climate, and even a change in the course of the Indus River weakened the civilization. -- Invaders – the Aryans – brought its final end.

ARYANS Who were the Aryans? Around 1500 b.c.e., they crossed over the northwest mountain passes and conquered the Harappans. The Aryans excelled in the art of war. GOVERNMENT Various Aryan leaders were known as rajas (most skilled leader)

SOCIETY & RELIGION Out of the clash between conqueror and conquered came a set of social institutions and class divisions that has lasted in India, with only minor changes, to the present day. The caste system was a set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person’s occupation and economic potential, but also his or her position in society. It was based in part on skin color.

The Caste System Brahmans -- priestly class Kshatriyas -- warriors Vaisyas -- commoners Sudras -- dark-skinned peasants; did the work that the above three would not do; made up a large percentage of the Indian population Untouchables -- Those who were considered impure because of their work (butchers, gravediggers, collectors of trash); were not considered human; made up 5% of the population

Family Life in ancient India centered on the family, the most basic unit in society. The ideal was an extended family, with three generations – grandparents, parents, and children – living under the same roof. The family was patriarchal.

Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion. Hindus worship many gods, which represent different forms of Brahman (most divine spirit in the Hindu religion) Video: Neanderthal Part 1: 22 minutes

Basic Belief Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the three main gods of Hinduism: Brahma – creator of the universe Vishnu -- preserver of the universe Shiva -- destroyer of the universe The Vedas contains prayers and hymns (the oldest Hindu scriptures)

They believe in reincarnation. The soul’s karma – good or bad deeds – follows from one reincarnation to another. Video: Age of Cave Art, the Pleistocene People: 4 minutes and 48 seconds

Buddhism appeared in 6 b.c.e. and became a rival to Hinduism. Founder – Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha “Enlightened One” According to Buddhism, achieving wisdom is a key step to achieving nirvana, or ultimate reality -- the key to happiness was detachment from all worldly goods and desires. Video: Subject of Cave Art, Animals: 5 minutes and 36 seconds

Rituals They have a special regard or veneration to cattle. Each year, thousands of Hindus make a pilgrimage to India’s Ganges River. The Ganges is considered a sacred site in the Hindu religion.

CONTRIBUTIONS Hinduism Buddhism Epic Mahabharata Mix of history, mythology, religion