I. GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

Indus R. Ganges R. Brahmaputra R. Arabian Sea Indian Ocean Bay of Bengal

1. India is: a Subcontinent (a major subdivision of a continent). a Subcontinent (a major subdivision of a continent). a Peninsula- surrounded by water on 3 sides a Peninsula- surrounded by water on 3 sides

Himalayas Deccan Plateau Coastal Plains Northern Plains

2. India’s diverse (different) geography causes cultural diversity (differences in culture) Fertile plains are watered by Snow melting off the Himalayas, the Ganges R. and the Indus R.

Mountains blocked trade and ideas, isolating it, (like China): Mountains blocked trade and ideas, isolating it, (like China):  Eastern Himalayas- virtually impassable and the home of Mount Everest  Western Himalayas- the Khyber Pass allows invaders to pass through the mts.

The Himalayas  “him” [snow]  “aalaya” [home]  Mt. Everest is 29,035 feet, the highest peak in the world.

The Khyber Pass

3. Monsoons- a seasonal wind RainStore water Hot, dry air Summer Monsoon Winter monsoon Grow crops with stored water

India Pakistan Bangladesh

If summer monsoon is late If summer monsoon is early Hot, dry air still there Crops die & Famine Too much rain Floods, Crops die, houses destroyed DON’T WRITE!

II. Ancient Indus Civilization

1. Two main cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Urban planning (organized city plan) shows math skills and a strong central gov’t Urban planning (organized city plan) shows math skills and a strong central gov’t Hill top structures, a Sewer system, a granary, and a grid system Hill top structures, a Sewer system, a granary, and a grid system-

The Aryans - A group of Indo-European nomads who eventually conquered the Indus Valley and became farmers. - Aryan tribes were led by chiefs called rajahs. - By 500 BCE, the Caste system (social class system), Hinduism (religion) and Sanskrit (writing) developed.

2. Aryan Invasion The nomadic Aryans conquered the Indus cities who were weakened by a natural disaster. The nomadic Aryans conquered the Indus cities who were weakened by a natural disaster. They wrote about Aryan society in the Vedas They wrote about Aryan society in the Vedas They developed Sanskrit (writing), Hinduism (religion) and divided Society by occupation. They developed Sanskrit (writing), Hinduism (religion) and divided Society by occupation.

III. Empires of India 1. Maurya Empire (321 BC-185 BC) Chandragupta- ruler who built the largest capital of its time Chandragupta- ruler who built the largest capital of its time Chandragupta’s gov’t was a bureaucracy and had a brutal secret police Chandragupta’s gov’t was a bureaucracy and had a brutal secret police

 Asoka (Chandragupta’s grandson) was the most honored Maurya emperor.  After a long, bloody war he converted to Buddhism, rejected violence, and ruled by moral example.

 He sent missionaries all over India which helped spread Buddhism in Asia.  Asoka’s rule brought peace and prosperity, which helped unite his diverse people

2. Gupta Empire (350 CE-550 CE)  Power was in the hands of village and city gov’ts  Trade and farming flourished  Rajahs (local rulers) built temples, Buddhists built stupas (religious monument)

Achievements:  Math- the concept of zero and the decimal system.  Medicine- herbal cures, simple plastic surgery, setting broken bones, and vaccines.  This was considered a Golden Age.