FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LEADS TO DIVERSITY Has 3 topographical zones:Has 3 topographical zones:  Northern mountains (Himalayas)  River Basins (Indus and Ganges)  The Peninsula and it’s coastal areas (Southern India)

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LEADS TO DIVERSITY Climates lead to early differences:Climates lead to early differences:  Tropical and lush (Peninsular India and Ganges Basin) – produce rice  Dry and limited rain (Indus basin) – rely on irrigation, produce wheat, millet, and barley

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA CASTE SYSTEM OF VEDIC AGE (1500 – 500 BCE  Brahmins Priests and scholarsPriests and scholars Only ones who could control the technology of sacrificesOnly ones who could control the technology of sacrifices Only ones who knew the rituals and prayersOnly ones who knew the rituals and prayers Did not want them written down…knowledge is powerDid not want them written down…knowledge is power  Kshatriyas Warriors and kingsWarriors and kings  Vaishyas LandownersLandowners

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA CASTE SYSTEM OF VEDIC AGE (1500 – 500 BCE  Shudras Servants and slaves  Untouchables People outside system because of the demeaning work they performed  Divided within each group according to heredity – known as a Jati group  Great care taken to prevent intermixing of groups…

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA BUDDHISM REFORMS VEDIC BELIEF SYSTEM  Story of Siddhartha Gautama (a.k.a. the Buddha) Upper class prince who rejects social status and all that go with it. Concerned that desire for material goods would lead to unhappiness Believed in middle path, moderation

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA BUDDHISM REFORMS VEDIC BELIEF SYSTEM  Philosophy centered on the individual’s path to enlightenment Denied the usefulness of godsDenied the usefulness of gods Life through moderation meant less desire and less sufferingLife through moderation meant less desire and less suffering All people are composites (khandhas:All people are composites (khandhas):  In direct contradiction to Vedic belief of an external soul (atman)

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA BUDDHISM REFORMS VEDIC BELIEF SYSTEM  Challenge to the power structure and class system in India (Brahmin priests) Anyone could become enlightened, regardless of classAnyone could become enlightened, regardless of class If the aim of life is to become enlightened, and the need for material things is futile, what importance does the aristocracy have to ordinary personIf the aim of life is to become enlightened, and the need for material things is futile, what importance does the aristocracy have to ordinary person

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY  Evolution of the Vedic belief system Featured emphasis on intense personal devotion to a deity and the prominence of goddessesFeatured emphasis on intense personal devotion to a deity and the prominence of goddesses Usually took the form of: Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer), or Brahma (creator)Usually took the form of: Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer), or Brahma (creator) All gods were a manifestation of a single divine forceAll gods were a manifestation of a single divine force

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY  Worship focuses on temple and included performing service to the deity Got rid of the sacrificial nature of original Vedic systemGot rid of the sacrificial nature of original Vedic system Ganges River becomes an important location for pilgrimagesGanges River becomes an important location for pilgrimages

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY  Karma becomes an important part of belief structure: Status in life is based on what you did in previous livesStatus in life is based on what you did in previous lives Better conduct leads to social advancement(s)Better conduct leads to social advancement(s)

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY  Dharma Religious duties were tied into social standing, gender, and ageReligious duties were tied into social standing, gender, and age

FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY Hinduism appealed to people’s need to believe in gods and love of ritualsHinduism appealed to people’s need to believe in gods and love of rituals Buddhism focus on individuality was too much for ordinary citizens…Buddhism focus on individuality was too much for ordinary citizens…