1. Indian Empires

2. Aryans & the Caste System
Invade the Indus Valley
Development of the Caste System
Varna=color in sanskrit
Five social classes
Brahmins-highest, priest and scholars
Kshatriya-warriors and government officials
Vaishya-landowners, merchants, and artisans
Shudra-peasants and laborers
Untouchables-slaves

3. Growth of Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama
Called the “Enlightened one”
Never claimed to be a god, but after he died his followers elevated him to this status
Hinduism remained most popular in India until the 3rd century

4. Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya First emperor
Defeats the northern Indian tribes after Alexander the Great dies
600,000 man army, 9,000 elephants, etc.

5. Mauryan Empire
Ashoka
Created highways, rest stops, fruit trees for all
Cultivated botanical gardens for medicinal plants
Hospitals
Converted to Buddhism
After a battle the amount of bloodshed shocked Ashoka who then found comfort in Buddhism because it emphasized non-violence, peace, and tolerance
Pacifist ideals may have weakened the military which after Asoka’s death led the empire into decline
Spread Buddhism
Very tolerant of other religions

6. Gupta Empire Chandra Gupta
Mauryan Empire falls apart after Asoka’s death
Chandra Gupta
Renewal of Hindu religion
Rise of scientific and artistic works
Concept of zero
Earth moves around the Sun
Innovations in surgery
Base 10 numeral system was developed

7. Indian Ocean Trade

8. Indian Ocean Trade Prominent world trade area
Could carry more products per trip than over land
slaves, ivory, and gold from Africa, porcelain from China, and cloth from India
Even diseases spread along it
Trade winds (Monsoon winds)
half of the year blowing northeast (December to March) and the other half of the year blowing southwest (April to August)

9. Indian Ocean Trade
Merchants having to wait for the monsoon winds the coastal cities would be a rich area of mixed cultures and religions
Islam and Buddhism
magnetic compasses and lateen sails