1. Ancient India
Chapter 9

2. Geography

3. Geography

4. Geography of India Subcontinent Separated from Asia by mountain ranges
Himalayas (Mt. Everest)
River Valleys
Indus River
Ganges River
Deccan Plateau

5. Indus Valley Civilization
Mohenjo Daro & Harappa
Large cities
Designed almost identical
Paved streets, fortress for protection
Brick homes, water supply, indoor bathrooms, sewer systems

6. Aryan Migrations and Settlements
Cities were abandoned
Drought; crops die, people starve
Earthquakes, floods
Aryans arrive
Nomadic; searched for pastures and water for their cattle
Raiders
Mixed with existing Indus Valley people and created new culture

7. Religions of Ancient India

8. Aryans (cont.) Aryans adapted Indian way of life Became farmers
Made iron tools
Built irrigation systems
Lived in tribal groups
Raja – leader of the tribe
Sanskrit developed
Allowed for records of sales, trades, and land ownership
Created hymns, stories, poems and prayers; later collected into sacred texts, Vedas

9. The Caste System of Ancient India
Varnas: Four social classes of India
People were members of the varnas they were born into.
Varnas had thousands of subsets called jati.
These had strict rules about occupation, diet, marriage and even social customs
Untouchables: were not considered part of society
Performed jobs considered unholy or beneath others.

10. Caste System (cont.) Family is center of life
Extended family lived together
Oldest male was head of household
Men had more rights than women
Boys taught by gurus
Men could only marry after 12 years of education
Marriages arranged by parents

11. Origins of Hinduism 3rd largest religion in the world Belief System
One Universal Spirit, Brahman
Studied texts called Upanishads
Described search for Brahman
Every living thing has part of soul that is part of Brahman
Difficulties understanding
Reincarnation
Karma: status in life is not accidental
Dharma: personal duty

12. Rise of Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama Born as a prince
Never witnessed poverty
Gave up everything to find meaning of life
Teachings of Buddhism
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
Goal was to reach nirvana
Reincarnation

13. Rise of Buddhism Eightfold Path The Four Noble Truths
Know and understand the Four Noble Truths
Give up worldly things and do not harm others
Tell the truth, do not gossip, and do not speak badly of others
Do not commit evil acts
Do rewarding work
Work for good and oppose evil
Make sure your mind keeps your sense under control
Practice meditation to see the world in a New way
Life is full of suffering
People suffer because they desire worldly things and want to satisfy themselves
The way to end suffering is to stop desiring things
The only way to stop desiring things is to follow the Eightfold path

14. Buddhism Theravada Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism
Believed Buddha was great teacher, but not a god
Mahayana Buddhism
Teaches Buddha is a god
Believe Eightfold Path is too difficult
Will probably go to Heaven; can follow Eightfold Path there
Dalai Lama is considered a reincarnation of the Buddha

15. Jainism Unknown origins
Followed many of the same teachings as Buddhism
Practice strict poverty