1. India
India is one of the largest countries in the world. Can you find it on this map?

2. India
Here it is!!!

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

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

5. The Indus River System #1
Civilization started on the Indus River about 2600 BC
Indo-Europeans started here (beginning of European Language (Latin, English…)
1,975 miles long

6. Vedic Poetry
Most of what we know about ancient India comes from a collection of hymns, chants, and poems called the Vedas.

7. 2. Aryans (2500BC – 322BC)
Group of nomadic tribes who had originally inhabited Central Asia or Northern Europe
Tall, fair haired
they settled in the Indus Valley River region.
Fought with the original people of Indus Valley
Civilization, who were dark skin and known as Dravidians
The Aryans forced the Dravidians to move to the the south.

8. Caste System (Manu code)
Caste system was introduced and practiced, based on
one’s profession:
Brahmins: Priests, teachers, intellectuals
Khsatriyas: Warriors, soldiers
Vashya: Traders, merchants, peasants
Shudras: People in service of others

9. Persian and Greek Invasion
The Persian Invasion in 500BC, and the invasion of
Alexander the Great of Greece in 327 BC, changed the
Indian culture forever.
The most significant impact of this period was:
(1) Cultural mixing
(2) Establishment of contacts with foreign countries

10. 3. Mauryan Empire (322BC -188BC)
The Mauryans were better rulers and culturally rich.
They had a highly centralized and hierarchical
government, well developed trade and commerce,
The most significant ruler of this period was Emperor Ashoka
After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire
disintegrated rapidly and all of South Asia fragmented into regional powers.

11. 4. Gupta Period (320 AD – 480 AD)
After the decline of Mauryans, Gupta rulers rose to power
The Gupta period in Indian history is known as the Golden Age of India.
Era of the most advanced civilization, flush with wealth, higher education, trade with foreign countries, and an overall happy life.
Religious tolerance and freedom of worship
During the Gupta

12. Population Density

13. History Brochures of Ancient India
Your assignment is to created a short but informative history brochure on ancient India
The following should be included in your brochure: Early Indus River Civilizations(pg 70), Arian India (pg 72), Mauryan Empire(pg 84), Gupta Empire(pg 86)
Brochure should:
Be well thought out and neat and organized
Detail information about each civilization listed above (What, when, where, who…)
List Key dates of the Civilization.
Describe key terms dealing with your topic (in book)
Have drawn pictures of artifacts

14. Ancient India Museum Exhibit
In small groups you will create an Museum Exhibit on one assigned aspect of ancient India:
Possible Museum Exhibits: Early Indus River Civilizations(pg 70), Arian India (pg 72), Mauryan Empire(pg 84), Gupta Empire(pg 86)
Exhibits should contain:
A poster detailing information (What, when, where, who…)
Key dates of the Civilization
Key terms dealing with your topic (in book)
Pictures of artifacts on your visual