1. WHI:SOL 4 a-f Indian Empires

2. Geography Physical barriers, such as the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Indian Ocean, made invasion difficult. Mountain passes in the Hindu Kush provided migration routes into the Indian subcontinent. The Indus and Ganges were the important rivers in the Indian subcontinent.

4. Ancient Civilization Indus River Valley civilization Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (main cities) Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra Rivers Hindu Kush, E. and W. Ghats, and Himalaya Mountains Deccan Plateaus

5. Aryans (Indo-Aryans) Nomads who intermarried and settled down, blending their nomadic culture with the Indus Valley culture Migrated down from the North Assertion of dominance (conquered Indus Valley)

6. Caste System Caste system, which influenced all social interactions and choices of occupations

7. Mauryan Empire (321-185 b.c.) Chandragupta Spread Mauryan control from northern India into the Deccan region Brutal, violent rule

9. Mauryan Empire (321-185 b.c.) Asoka Continued political unification of much of India Started as a brutal ruler, turned his back on violence Contributions: Spread of Buddhism, free hospitals, veterinary clinics, good roads

10. Gupta Empire (320-540 a.d.) Golden Age(period of great achievement) of classical Indian culture Contributions: – Mathematics (concept of zero, decimal system), – medical advances (setting bones, surgery), – astronomy (concept of a round earth), – new textiles, – literature