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

2. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LEADS TO DIVERSITY
FOUNDATIONS OF INDIA
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LEADS TO DIVERSITY
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

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

4. CASTE SYSTEM OF VEDIC AGE (1500 – 500 BCE
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…

5. BUDDHISM REFORMS VEDIC BELIEF SYSTEM
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

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

7. BUDDHISM REFORMS VEDIC BELIEF SYSTEM
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 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 an ordinary person?

8. HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY
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 goddesses
Usually took the form of: Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer), or Brahma (creator)
All gods were a manifestation of a single divine force

9. HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY
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 system
Ganges River becomes an important location for pilgrimages

10. HINDUISM AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY
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 lives
Better conduct leads to social advancement(s)
Acceptance of class is ingrained in society

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

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