Early Civilizations of India

Geography Indian Subcontinent The subcontinent is protected North by the Himalayas Northwest by Hindu Kush Isolated this area to develop cultures on its own.

Indus Valley Civilization 2600 B.C Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Present day Pakistan - Indus river

Indus Valley Civilization Plumbing, Sewers, Water Chutes (well organized governments)

Indus Valley Civilization Regional Trade To Persia: From Mesopotamia

Indus Valley Civilization 1900 BC - the culture disappears Earth Quake Plague Aryans

Aryan Civilization 2000-1500 BC Aryans migrate into India. Chariots, Bows, Nomad

Aryans They stopped nomad life started farming in India – Ganges Plain

Aryan Civilization Began the Vedic Age

VEDAS Earliest Hindu Sacred Text

Aryan Epic Literature Common language Sanskrit Epic poems emerge Rama and Sita

Aryan Epic Literature The Mahabharata India’s greatest epic poem - outlines religious beliefs, immortality, and value duties Rama and Sita

Hinduism

Hinduism No single founder One of world’s most complex religions Grew from over-lapping beliefs of various people One of world’s most complex religions

POLYTHEISIC Vishnu Brahma Shiva Most important gods were Brahma, the Creator Vishnu, the Preserver Shiva, the Destroyer POLYTHEISIC

Aryan Religion and Hinduism Many gods reveal some Character of Brahman Brahman a single spiritual power beyond the many gods and the Vedas

The Caste System Aryan class divisions groups into which people are born socio-economic roles (occupations)

Hinduism and The Caste System Why would people continue to live this way for a couple thousand years?

Hinduism and The Caste System govern all aspects of life to ensure Spiritual Purity

Hinduism and The Caste System govern all aspects of life to ensure Spiritual Purity Karma and Reincarnation Saṃsāra

Moksha - Liberation from the cycle -

Achieving Moksha – the goal of life Reincarnation - the upward trek toward moksha through rebirth

Achieving Moksha – the goal of life Reincarnation - the upward trek toward moksha through rebirth Dharma - religious and moral duties.

Achieving Moksha – the goal of life Reincarnation - the upward trek toward moksha through rebirth Dharma - religious and moral duties. Karma - refers to all actions in life that affect your fate in the next life.

Achieving Moksha – the goal of life Reincarnation - the upward trek toward moksha through rebirth Dharma - religious and moral duties. Karma - refers to all actions in life that affect your fate in the next life. Moksha – union with Brahman free self from selfish desires

Achieving Moksha – the goal of life Reincarnation - the upward trek toward moksha through rebirth Dharma - religious and moral duties. Karma - refers to all actions in life that affect your fate in the next life. Moksha – union with Brahman. free self from selfish desires Non – Violence (Mahatma Gandhi)