Ancient Civilizations of South Asia. 1. Indus River Valley. 2 Ancient Civilizations of South Asia 1. Indus River Valley 2. Aryan Civilization 3. Maurya Empire 4. Gupta Dynasty

Indus River Valley 2600-1700 B.C. Part of Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India. Two major cities were Harappa and the Mohenjo-Daro They were farmers, traders Farmers: grew wheat, barley, melons, and dates first to grow cotton first to weave fiber from cotton Merchants: traded cotton, cloth, grain, and ivory Ruins of Mohenjo-Daro Jewelry of Mohenjo-Daro Ancient Indus River Valley Stone Writing Tablets

Indus River Valley Technology Decline of civilization Developed a writing system Concept of zero Number system used today Metals - bronze, silver, gold built homes out of brick and stone canals drainage systems, wells and water storage systems systems of weights pottery jewelry game pieces, chess, and toys Decline of civilization flooding, economy, invasions Public Well Drainage System

Aryan Civilization 1700 ˜300 B.C.E. "noble ones" or the "superior ones” Nomadic peoples - fierce warriors Invaded northwest India 1750 BC Came from steppes of central Asia and Iran through the Khyber Pass First settled in Indus River Valley later settled in Ganges River Valley. Divided into tribal kingdoms – Jana and were ruled by chiefs. Horse and herding culture Established Vedas and Caste system: Foundation of Hinduism Feudal Kingdoms spread through India: ruled by Brahmins (Priests)

Aryan Civilization Technology iron ore introduced rice use of iron weapons introduced the horse Aryan Temple Arian Swastika

Sanskrit writing

The Vedas 1200 BCE-600 BCE. written in SANSKRIT. Hindu core of beliefs: hymns and poems. religious prayers. magical spells. lists of the gods and goddesses. Rig Veda  oldest work.

Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables Social Hierarchy Brahmins Priests Kshatriyas Warriors Vaishyas Merchants Shudras Servants/Serfs Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables

Maurya Empire321-185 B.C.E. First Indian empire Largest empire to rule the Indian subcontinent Great political and military empire Founded by Aryan descendants Maurya was the first emperor- accepted Jainism Maurya Sandstone

Maurya Empire Asoka “the Great” - was one of the emperors Accepted Buddhism Allowed Hinduism Unified the government Ended indentured and forced labor Conservation of wildlife Elephants in battle, as weapons and vehicles from 325-185 BCE Known for their sculptures Sandstone carvings Asoka Elephant Army

Asoka (304 – 232 BCE) Religious conversion after the gruesome battle of Kalinga in 262 BCE. Dedicated his life to Buddhism. Built extensive roads. Conflict  how to balance Kautilya’s methods of keeping power and Buddha’s demands to become a selfless person?

Asoka’s law code Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan. Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic. 10 rock edicts. Each pillar [stupa] is 40’-50’ high. Buddhist principles dominate his laws.

Gupta Dynasty 320 -500 A.D. Most rulers were Hindu “Golden Age” peace law and order cultural achievement

Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE Unified northern India. Defeated the Persian general Seleucus. Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement. He feared assassination [like Saddam Hussein]  food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. 301 BCE  gave up his throne & became a in.

Gupta Rulers Chandra Gupta I Chandra Gupta II Hindu revival. 320 – 335 CE “Great King of Kings” Chandra Gupta II 375 - 415 CE Profitable trade with the Mediterranean world! Hindu revival. Huns invade – 450 CE

Kautilya Chandragupta’s advisor. Brahmin caste. Wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the Arthashastra. A guide for the king and his ministers: Supports royal power. The great evil in society is anarchy. Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when necessary!

International Trade Routes during the Guptas

Extensive Trade: 4c spices silks cotton goods rice & wheat spices horses gold & ivory gold & ivory cotton goods

Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture. Gupta Art Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Gupta Achievements 1000 diseases classified 500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Kalidasa Literature Plastic Surgery Medicine Inoculations Gupta India C-sections performed Solar Calendar Astronomy Mathematics Decimal System The earth is round PI = 3.1416 Concept of Zero

The Decline of the Guptas Invasion of the White Huns in the 4c signaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even though at first, the Guptas defeated them. After the decline of the Gupta empire, north India broke into a number of separate Hindu kingdoms and was not really unified again until the coming of the Muslims in the 7c.