I. Foundations of Indian Civilization A. The Indian Subcontinent 1. India is called a subcontinent because it is a physically isolated landmass within Asia. 2. This region can be divided into three topographical zones: (1) the mountainous northern zones, (2) the great basins of the Indus and Ganges Rivers, and (3) the peninsular proper. 3. The mountains looming in the north blocks cold arctic winds and gives India its subtropical climate.

4. The most dramatic source of moisture comes from the monsoon – or seasonal wind. 5. Because of the vast differences of temperature in the Asian landmass and the Indian Ocean, vast winds are created during two seasons. 6. The southwest monsoon begins in June and the northwest monsoon begins in January. 7. This allowed Indian Ocean mariners to ride the monsoon winds as far west as Africa and as far east at Indonesia.

B. The Vedic Age, 1500 – 500 B.C.E. 1. Many historians and scholars alike try to link Indian civilization to the Indus valley civilization of the third and early second millennia B.C.E. 2. While this may be true there is no actual evidence that supports this claim. This is due to the fact that the Indus valley civilization writing has yet to be deciphered. 3. The early Indus Valley civilization apparently succumbed to some kind of environmental crisis around 1900 B.C.E.

4. The period between 1500 to 500 B.C.E. is called the “Vedic Age” due to religious texts called Vedas that remain our main source of information. 5. Around 1500 B.C.E. migrations of Indo-European speaking peoples entered the northwest corridor created the foundation of Indian Civilization. 6. These Indo-European peoples were patriarchal with the father dominating the family like a king who rules a tribe.

7. After 1000 B.C.E., these peoples pushed east into the Ganges Plain. 8. This was made possible by the development of iron tools and the rich agricultural land made possible by the annual monsoons. 9. There was a bitter rivalry between the Aryas and the Dasas resulting in Aryas domination in the north and Dasas migration to the south.

10. Skin color has been a persistent concern of Indian society and the basis for sharp internal divisions. 11. This developed into a system of Varna – means “color” – which is a class system. 12. Individuals are born into one of four classes: (1) Brahmin – priests and scholars, (2) Kshatriya – warriors and officials, (3) Vaishya – merchants, artisans, and landowners, and (4) Shudra – peasants and laborers. 13. Eventually a fifth class arises called the Untouchables.

14. This caste system came to be connected with a widespread belief in reincarnation. 15. The Brahmin taught that every living creature contained an atman, or “breath”. 16. They believe that once the atman was separated at death it traveled to a new body depending on its karma, or deeds.

C. The Rise of Hinduism 1. Eventually, the Vedic religion evolved into Hinduism. 2. The term Hinduism was imposed from outside by Muslims calling the various religious practices Hinduism – “What the Indians do”. 3. Hinduism is an incorporation of Vedic religions of the north and Dravidian cultures of the south.

4. Hinduism emphasizes the worshiper’s personal devotion to a particular deity – either Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi. 4. Hindus believe that whenever demonic forces threaten the cosmic order, Vishnu appears on earth in one of a series of incarnations. 5. There are at least 330 million gods within the Hindu pantheon of gods but it is important to remember that many consider them to be the multiple “personalities” of one supreme deity.

II. Imperial Expansion and Collapse A. The Mauryan Empire 324 – 184 B.C.E. 1. Around 600 B.C.E. independent states dotted the landscape of north India. 2. One such kingdom was located in eastern India just south of the Ganges called Magadha. 3. In the late 4 th century B.C.E. Chandragupta Maurya gained control of Magadha and expanded it into the Mauryan Empire.

4. Chandragupta’s grandson, Ashoka, was a towering figure in India’s history. 5. At the beginning of his reign he engaged in many military campaigns that resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of people. 6. Overwhelmed by his brutality, Ashoka converted to Buddhism preaching nonviolence, morality, moderation, and tolerance.

B. The Gupta Empire, C.E. 1. In the early 4 th century C.E. a new imperial entity took shape in northern India. 2. The Gupta Empire grew out of the kingdom of Magadha. 3. The Gupta Empire never controlled territories as extensive as that of the Mauryans. 4. They enjoyed sitting in the middle of important trade routes, relatively rich agricultural gains, and the control of nearby iron deposits.

5. The Gupta Empire relied primarily on what historians call the “theater-state” – a state that acquires prestige and power by developing attractive cultural forms and staging elaborate public ceremonies. 6. Urbanization, the development of complex social structures, and the acquisition of land led to the decline in the status of women. Eventually leading to women losing the right to own or inherit property.

III. Southeast Asia A. Early Civilization 1. Southeast Asia has been influenced by the cultures of China and India. 2. Strategically, Southeast Asia is enhanced by the region’s natural resources. 3. Rain-forest ecosystems and volcanic islands allowed for rich soil resulting in several growing seasons.

4. Historians believe that the Malay peoples – dominant population in this region – were the product of several waves of migrations from southern China beginning around 3000 B.C.E. 5. They knew how to ride the monsoon winds making them excellent ocean navigators. 6. Over a period of several thousand years these peoples spread out across the Pacific and Indian Oceans settling thousands of islands.

7. The first major Southeast Asian center was called “Funan” by the Chinese. 8. Funan occupied southern Vietnam in the Mekong Delta, considered a “rice bowl” because of its ability to support a large population. 9. Seaborne merchants from northeast India found that carrying their goods across the Isthmus was easier than sailing around the peninsula. The Funan provided security from them as they waited for the winds to carry them to China.