1. Ancient India Harappan Society arose in the Indus River Valley
Subcontinent relatively isolated with a mixture of cultures
Aryans moved south across Hindu Kush into India
Developed agriculture and use of Iron – introduces in ME by Hittites
Iron Plow, Irrigation, transformed region into rich agricultural region

2. Aryan contributions Chieftan- raja lead community
Transformed into kings called maharaja *still required to follow dharma – laws and behavior standards
Outside influence by Alexander the Great (Greeks) who left behind administrators who influenced the area for generations.

3. Chandragupta Maurya 324-301BCE
Drove out Greeks and established empire
Caste system
Introduced by Aryans, social classification and determined occupation and status in society and hope for salvation (reincarnation)

4. Social Structure of Caste

5. Hinduism and Buddhism Reincarnation
Karma – rebirth determined by actions in this life
Brahman – highest in caste
Dharma- law
Siddhartha Gautama
8 fold path
No caste system
Middle path- right know., purpose, speech, conduct, occupation, awareness, meditation, effort
Reincarnation
Nirvana
4 noble truths

6. Ashoka 269-232BCE Began rule conquering and killing
Converted to Buddhism
Benevolent rule
(grandson of Chandragupta Maurya)