Ancient Indian Civilizations 2500 B.C. – 500 A.D.

Indus River Valley Civilizations Geography Surrounded by Ocean on three sides The Himalayan Mountains provide protection from the north Indus and Ganges Rivers lie south of the northern mountains The Deccan Plateau makes up most of the country Early inhabitants were sea traders

Indus River Valley Civilizations Climate Monsoons & high temperatures Monsoons are winds that signal a change in seasons November – March = little rain Mid June – October = wet season

Indus River Valley Civilizations Early Civilizations 1st great civ. was from 2500 BC – 1500 BC Two main cities were Mohenjo Daro & Harappa Large Water system Public Bath Sewer Strong central fortress – Citadel Store houses for grain

Indus River Civilizations

Indus River Valley Civilizations Farmlands surrounded the cities Also raised cattle City dwellers were involved making or trading goods Believed in a great god, symbolized through animals and nature Disappeared due to a natural disaster Great flood or earthquake

Indo – Aryan Migrants Nomadic Indo – Aryans Sheep and cattle herders Skilled warriors Most of what we know came from the Vedas Vedas are ancient religious records and stories Told from generation to generation Written in Sanskrit by scholars

Indo – Aryan Migrants Indo – Aryan Religion Early gods were based on elements of nature, such as: Earth Fire Water Shiva – the destroyer

Indo – Aryan Migrants Brahmans were the ancient priests As time went on ceremonies became more complicated

Indo – Aryan Migrants Early Indo-Aryan Society Built civilizations at the end of the Neolithic Age Governed by a raja These people had lighter skin Developed a social structure with priests and warriors at the top Arranged marriages were common

Indo – Aryan Migrants Indo – Aryan Economy Grew Wheat Barley Rice Sugar cane Vegetables Language was an early form of Sanskrit

Indo – Aryan Migrants Southern India Protected from invasions by mountains Some hunted, gathered, fished, or farmed Some traded, which made them wealthy and led to cultural diffusion

Hinduism and Buddhism Upanishads and the Epics Some began to question the authority of the Brahmans Collection of writings was called the Upanishads Eventually combined into two epics (poems) Mahabharata and Ramayana

Hinduism and Buddhism Caste System Developed Complex form of social hierarchy Five varnas (classes) Rulers and Warriors Brahman priests Merchants, traders, farmers Peasants Pariahs/Untouchables

Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism Believed in Monism- the unity of God and Creation Hindu Beliefs The world we see is an illusion or maya It can take many lifetimes to reject maya Believe in reincarnation Dharma is the duty of people to be good Karma is the force created by good and bad actions Nirvana is when the soul reaches peace and connects with Brahma Polytheistic

Hinduism and Buddhism Hindu Religious Practices Yoga See many animals as sacred, especially cows

Hinduism and Buddhism Buddhism Buddha’s Teachings Founded by Siddhartha Gautama Wealthy Hindu prince who sought the meaning of life Became known as Buddha – Enlightened One Buddha’s Teachings Accepted some Hindu ideas Taught Four Noble truths and the eight-fold path Denied the importance of the Hindu caste system Very appealing to the poor and untouchables

Hinduism and Buddhism The Four Noble Truths 1. Life means suffering. 2. The origin of suffering is attachment. 3. It is possible to end suffering. 4. The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering. Padma - Symbol of Purity. Can be of any color except blue.

Hinduism and Buddhism 8 Fold Path Right Views Right Intentions Right Speech Right Action Right Living Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration The wheel of the law. The eight spokes represent the eightfold path.

Hinduism and Buddhism Spread of Buddhism Buddha himself only had a few followers Split into two sects Theravada (Southeast Asia) Buddha was great teacher and leader Mahayana (East Asia) Buddha was God and Savior

Ancient Indian Dynasties and Empires Mauryan Dynasty King Bimbisara of Magadha began to unify India Helped to fight off invaders from Persia Chandragupta Maurya Started Mauryan Dynasty Controlled most of India Developed mining and weaving towns Standardized weights throughout kingdom Established physician qualifications He slept in a different room each night, fearful of assassination attempts

Ancient Indian Dynasties and Empires Mauryan Dynasty Asoka Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya Extended control of empire to all of India except southern tip Spread Buddhism with missionaries Revised laws Advanced India culturally and politically After his death the empire would slowly decline

Ancient Indian Dynasties and Empires The Gupta Rulers New dynasty lead to rise of Hinduism and decline of Buddhism Gupta family came to power Expanded territory Conquest Intermarriage Society prospered under their rule Gave more power to local leaders

Ancient Indian Life and Culture Economy and Society Most economy came through trade Sold: Wool, Cotton, Spices, Silk, Precious gems, Ivory Women did not have the same rights as men Obey fathers Obey husbands If husband died, obey sons Sometimes they would throw themselves on the burning funeral pyre of their husbands Called Suttee Polygamy was practiced

Ancient Indian Life and Culture Cultural Achievements Art and Architecture Early Buddhist art show Greek and Roman influence Growth of Hinduism brought about growth of temples Education Very advanced University of Nalanda – center of higher learning during Gupta era First people to use algebra and solve quadratic equations Also came up with concept of innoculation Infecting a person with disease to build up immune system