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 Historically, India’s geographic boundaries were bigger than they are today India Bangladesh + India + Pakistan = India did not exist  Bangladesh and Pakistan did not exist as separate countries until after India gained independence from Great Britain in 1947  “Northwest India” generally means Pakistan  Ancient Indian cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjo- daro, are located in what is now Pakistan

 As large as Europe, minus Russia  Population: 1.15 billion (2010 estimate)  Second only to China  Himalayan Mountains (northeast)  Separate India from Tibet and western China  Northwest  Historic route of land invasions Alexander the Great, Mughals  Indian Ocean (route of British conquest)  Climate  Hot (except in highlands)  Land – very fertile to semi-desert

A. Invaders came from Europe  Traced through Indo-European language roots B. Ruled India for hundreds of years C. Set up small kingdoms ruled by rajahs D. Conquered native Dravidians E. Created modern Hinduism from Dravidian religious traditions and their own ideas F. Established India’s caste system

A. Macedonian (Greek) who led conquering forces across northern India B. Ruled briefly C. Greeks expelled from most of India after Alexander’s death the Seleucid empire D. Continued contact with Alexandrian successor state, the Seleucid empire, to the west

A. Dynasty begun by Chandragupta Mauryan B. Asoka (grandson), BCE 1. Ruled all of India 2. Converted to Buddhism and Spread Buddhism 3. Religious tolerance, generosity, wisdom, and kindness 4. War and disunity after his death! – Stupas – Shrines containing the remains of Buddha.

A. Northern India reunited B. Trade 1. With West 2. Buddhism and Hinduism spread out Cultural diffusion

Guptan Empire Art - Murals on cave walls showing the lives of everyday people and Buddha.

Guptan LiteraturePoems and dramas that are still performed today. Guptan Literature – Poems and dramas that are still performed today. “Shakuntala” is a love story which was written over 2000 years ago and is still performed today. The King believed that she was very beautiful and married her. He returned to court leaving Shakuntala in her village. She would write love letters to the king, however, he had forgotten about her.

Modern day performance One day a fisherman found the ring which the King had given to Shakuntala that restored his memory. He went to her village and recognized their son Bharata. The King then begged for forgiveness and they all lived happily every after.

Math – *Development of the concept of zero *decimal system *numbers symbols for 1 – 9. *The knowledge was applied to correctly determine the size and shape of the earth. Through diffusion, the number system spread to the rest of the world.

A. 12 th century – Muslim invasion B – Central Asians, led by Mughals, established a kingdom in northern India C. Akbar ( ) 1. Conquest of central India 2. Efficient and strong government 3. Religious tolerance 4. Business and commerce encouraged

D. In northern India, many Hindus converted to gain the Islamic majority. *Non believers had to pay a tax *Hindus were not eligible for governmental jobs *Hindus were not eligible for governmental jobs *Did not have to follow the caste system Mughal Empire founded in the North E. Mughal Empire founded in the North At the height of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan built one the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. It took 20,000 artists 22 years to complete the monument F. At the height of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan built one the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. It took 20,000 artists 22 years to complete the monument.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal contains a tomb, mosque, gardens, gateways and fountains. The main features in creation of this splendid composition is the Mughal craftsmanship that includes excerpt from the Koran and geometrical designs. The marble and precious stone inlays are fit together with such proficiency as to make it impossible for one to detect a joint.

Myth of the Black Taj Mahal Black Taj Mahal myth is concerned with another monument that was supposed to be built opposite the magnificent Taj, on the other side of the river. It is believed that another mausoleum, exactly identical to the original one, was to be built, dedicated to Shah Jahan himself. This monument is now called as the Black Taj, since it was to be constructed out of black marble.

G. Most of the people living in southern India remained Hindu. As a result, there were several wars over religion. The leader of the Mughal Empire was able to combine Islam and Hinduism to provide religious stability for 300 years. How did the rulers establish cooperation? - -Akbar, the Muslim leader, married a Hindu princess - -Abolished the non believers tax - -Appointed Hindus to governmental positions Sikandara, tomb of Akbar (1605 AD) Akbar’s Imperial Court

. H. Mughal power declines in the 1700s. -Religious toleration ended when the Hindu princes started to revolt against the Muslim leaders. -During the civil war, the Europeans arrived. -Instead of uniting to fight a common enemy, individual princes fought the Europeans and each other. -Eventually, India became a British colony. Do you remember Rudyard Kipling? Who was he & what was one of his popular poems that became a theme for a social movement of the late 1800’s?

A. 17 th century – empire crumbled 1. Fighting between smaller kingdoms 2. English, French, and Portuguese traders gained influence B – Seven Years’ War 1. English (British East India Company) won control of India from the French 2. Taken over by the British government under Queen Victoria (British Raj, ) Will not be independent until after World War II (1947) !!!