1. Early
Civilizations of
Ancient India

2. INDIA
2500 B.C.E.

3. pINDIA GEOGRAPHY - Today
Subcontinent (large landmass that juts out) includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Surrounded by Mountains and Ocean
Monsoons (seasonal winds) dictate life
Oct. is hot and dry
May = torrential rains

4. Indus River Valley Civilization
Cities planned in grid, clay houses
“Modern” plumbing
Well organized government
Ship trade along coast
Polytheistic
Disappears around 1750 BC ????

5. Public Well, Harappa

6. The
Vedic
Age
(1500 BCE BCE)

7. Aryan Migration pastoral  depended on their cattle.
warriors  horse-drawn chariots.

8. Ganges River Civilization
Built by Aryan invaders
Society divided by occupation
Brahmin = priest
Kshatriyas- warriors
Vaisyas= herders, farmers, artisans
Sudras= non-Aryans

9. Sanskrit writing

10. 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.

11. Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables
The Caste System
Priests
Brahmins
Kuh shat ree yuhz
Warriors
Kshatriyas
Herders Farmers Merchants
Vis yuhz
Vaishyas
Workers Servants
Soo druhz
Shudras
Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables

12. The Caste System WHO IS… The mouth? The arms? The legs? The feet?
Brahmins
WHO IS…
Kshatriyas
The mouth?
The arms?
The legs?
The feet?
Vaishyas
Shudras

13. The foundations for Hinduism were established!
The Vedic Age
The foundations for Hinduism were established!

14. Hinduism
Polytheistic- “God is one, but wise people know it by many names”
Brahman- Spiritual Power that resides in all things
Mystics- Seek spiritual truth-- yoga, meditation
Ahimsa- Nonviolence

15. Hinduism Believe in reincarnation (human last step before Moksha)
Moksha= ultimate goal of existence (union with Brahman)- free from all selfish desires that separate them from Brahman
Karma- Actions of one life impact another
Dharma- religious and moral duties

16. Brahman- All powerful spiritual force, resides in all things
Brahmin- Priests, highest caste
Brahma- a Hindu god, the creator