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HARRAPAN CIVILIZATION

HARRAPAN CIVILIZATION. Harappa and Mohenjodaro Encompassed most of modern-day Pakistan Lasted approx. 1000 years (2500-1500 BC) Grew barley and wheat Used copper, and later, bronze tools Engaged in trade with Egypt Had a writing system. MOHENJODARO. THE DARK AGE.

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HARRAPAN CIVILIZATION

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  1. HARRAPAN CIVILIZATION • Harappa and Mohenjodaro • Encompassed most of modern-day Pakistan • Lasted approx. 1000 years (2500-1500 BC) • Grew barley and wheat • Used copper, and later, bronze tools • Engaged in trade with Egypt • Had a writing system

  2. MOHENJODARO

  3. THE DARK AGE • Aryans from southern Russia invade India around 1500 BC and completely destroy Harappa and Mohenjodaro • India plunged into “Dark Age” • 1500-1000 BC • Cities abandoned • Writing forgotten • People reverted to a Neolithic lifestyle

  4. REVIVAL OF CIVILIZATION • Ganges River Valley • Half Aryan/half Harappan people • Evolved city-states

  5. CASTE SYSTEM • Originally just four castes • Warriors • Priests • Merchants/large landowners • Small farmers/manual laborers • System was not originally particularly rigid • Contained opportunity for mobility • Intermarriage between castes was allowed • System became increasingly complex and rigid as time went on • Hundreds of castes • No social contact between them • At bottom, were the “untouchables”

  6. MAURYAN EMPIRE • 16 city-states in Ganges river valley by 600 BC • Each ruled by a “raja” • City-state of Magada gradually grows in power at the expense of the others • Conquered entire Ganges valley and beyond • Created Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC) • Founded by Chandragupta Maurya

  7. ASHOKA (I) • Mauryan Empire reached peak during reign of Ashoka • Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya • 268-231 BC • Began reign as military conqueror but had change of heart • Converted to Buddhism • Vowed to rule in a gentle way • No offensive military operations • Put welfare of his subjects before his own ambitions

  8. ASHOKA (II) • Engaged in public works projects designed to provide jobs and improve the lives of his people • Dug thousands of public wells • Built rest areas for travelers • Constructed thousands of public hospitals • Encouraged economic activity • Presided over true “Golden Age” • Within 50 years of his death, the Mauryan Empire collapsed • Invasions of northern barbarians • Shattered unity and India reverted to old pattern of numerous, warring small states

  9. GUPTA EMPIRE • Chandra Gupta I, ruler of Magada, conquers Ganges River Valley and northern India • Process of conquest continued by son and grandson • Results in creation of Gupta Empire • 300-450 AD • First 100 years was era of expanding power, growing prosperity, and cultural achievement • Empire eventually collapsed with the invasion of the White Huns • Disintegrated into numerous petty kingdoms

  10. ACHIEVEMENTS • Several writing systems • Elaborate literature • Mostly religious in terms of subject matter • Invention of modern number system • Called “Arabic numerals” in West • Use of number which represents nothing (zero) • Invention of decimal system • Invention of foundation of algebra • Discovered that the earth was a rotating sphere

  11. HINDUISM(I) • Originally polytheistic • Over time, three of the most important gods merged together to create a three-part monotheistic deity called Brahman • Brahma (creator) • Vishnu (protector) • Shiva (destroyer • Brahma permeates everything in the universe • Every living thing is therefore related • All living things have souls

  12. HINDUISM (II) • Reincarnation • Each soul is reborn in the body of some other creature over and over again • A person’s actions (karma) determines the form of that person’s reincarnation • “good karma”—rewarded by improvement in status in reincarnation • “bad karma”—punished by degradation of status in reincarnation • Human existence is an endless round of suffering • “Wheel of suffering” • No escape except through meditation • Only temporary

  13. GAUTAMA THE BUDDHA • Gurus appear around 600 BC who argued that Hinduism had become too materialistic and that people should be more spirtual • Foremost guru was Gautama the Buddha • Means “Enlightened One” • Search for permanent escape from wheel of suffering • Argued that desire for material goods causes suffering

  14. ACHIEVEMENT OF NIRVANA • Eight-step process to escape wheel of suffering • Included non-violence, rejection of selfish desires, cultivating compassion and honesty, cleansing mind of evil thoughts, etc. • Nirvana—permanent escape from the wheel of suffering • Attainment of permanent peace and tranquility

  15. BUDDHA’S LIFE • Buddha practiced what he preached • Only owned simple robe, walking stick, and wooden bowl • Always slept outside and walked everywhere he went • Presented his creed in a simple language • Treated all persons equally • Many people attracted to him as a result • Millions of converts across Asia

  16. BUDDHIST TRADITIONS • Buddhism ultimately split into two “traditions” • HINAYANA (Little Vehicle) • Buddha was just a great man • MAHAYANA (Big Vehicle) • Largest of the two • Buddha was human incarnation of Brahma; Buddha was a god • Led to worship of Buddha, creation of idols, elaborate rituals, and temples

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