1. AP World History: Ancient India
Harappa Civilization, Maurya, and Gupta Empires

2. Presentation Outline Geography of India Harappa Civilization
Aryan Invasion
Caste System
Hinduism
Maurya Empire
Gupta Empire

3. 1. Geography of Ancient India
The Indian subcontinent has the following geographic features which have contributed to the development of civilization
Monsoonal rains can help sustain life but can also cause disastrous flooding
Three River valleys: Indus, Brahmaputra, and Ganges rivers
To North: Impassable Himalayas
To East: Passable low hills
To Northwest: Passable Hindu Kush, Khyber Pass
To West: Arabian Sea

5. 2. Harappa Civilization 3000 B.C.E- 1500 B.C.E
Located along the Indus River Valley in modern day Pakistan/India
Wheat and barley were cultivated in Indus valley
Harappa and Mohenjo-daro
Possibly served as twin capitals
Each city had a fortified citadel and a large granary
Broad streets, market places, temples, public buildings
Standardized weights, measures, architecture, bricks
Specialized labor and trade
Domestic trade, items inc. pottery, tools, metals
Trading with Mesopotamians about 2300 to 1750 B.C.E

7. After years of natural disasters (earthquakes and flooding) Harappa Civilization began to decline
People began to flee their cities
Unable to defend their civilization, Harappa civilization was vulnerable to invaders

8. 3. Aryan invasion
Between 1750 and 1500 B.C.E Aryan invaders from Central Asia and Eastern Europe invaded India
They brought with them a new language (Sanskrit), a social order (caste system), and a new religion (Hinduism)

9. 4. Caste System Caste and varna Caste:
Hereditary, unchangeable social classes
Sanskrit word varna, "color," referring to social classes
Social distinctions based on racial skin colors
Social distinctions in the late Vedic Age
Four main varnas, recognized after 1000 B.C.E.
brahmins (priests)
kshatriyas (warriors and aristocrats: rulers)
vaishyas (cultivators, artisans, and merchants)
shudras (landless peasants and serfs)
Later, the category of the pariah (untouchables) was added
Caste and social mobility
Caste system was capable of accommodating social change
Social mobility was very difficult but still possible
Foreign peoples could find a place in society of the castes

11. 5. Hinduism The Upanishads Brahman: the universal soul
Works of religious teachings, 800 to 400 B.C.E.
The religious forums: dialogues between disciples and sages
Brahman: the universal soul
Brahman was the only genuine reality
Highest goal: to escape reincarnation and join with Brahman
Atman: The individual self-soul that is part of Brahman
Teachings of the Upanishads
Samsara: An individual soul was born many times
Dharma: Caste duties
Karma: specific incarnations that a soul experienced
Moksha: permanent liberation from physical incarnation
Religion and Vedic Society
Samsara and karma reinforced social hierarchy
Upanishads were also spiritual and intellectual contemplations
Taught to observe high ethical standards
Respect for all living things, a vegetarian diet

12. Hindu gods
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion

13. 6. Mauryan Empire 322 B.C.E to 185 B.C.E
Chandragupta united India in 322 B.C.E after defeating the Persians (from modern day Iran)
Divided empire into districts and collected taxes
Enforced strict adherence to caste system
Asoka took over as ruler of Maurya around 252 B.C.E
converted to Buddhism
Dedicated to building roads and improving education
Chandragupta
Asoka

15. After Asoka’s death, the Maurya Empire weakens and India is divided into separate states

16. 7. Gupta Empire
A revived Indian Empire was established under Chandra Gupta I in 320 C.E.
The Gupta Empire allowed a degree of religious toleration, allowing both Hinduism and Buddhism to coexist
Extensive trade networks were established
Many scientific and artistic achievements

18. Extensive trade with other empires

19. Extensive Trade: 4c spices silks cotton goods rice & wheat spices
horses
gold & ivory
gold & ivory
cotton goods

20. Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.
Gupta Art
Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

21. 500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides
Gupta Achievements
1000 diseases classified
500 healing plants identified
Printed medicinal guides
Kalidasa
Literature
Plastic Surgery
Medicine
Inoculations
Gupta India
C-sections performed
Solar Calendar
Astronomy
Mathematics
Decimal System
The earth is round
PI =
Concept of Zero

22. Gupta India declined around 400 C.E. during the White Hun invasions
India would again be divided into separate states and only later unified again after Muslim invaders in the 7th and 8th centuries