Ancient India

1. Ancient India Mrs. Maddock 6D

2. Geography of India India is a subcontinent Himalaya Mtns separate India from Asia Mountain regions: Himalayas (highest mountains in the world) and Hindu Kush Mtns. Much of India is covered with fertile plains and rugged plateaus Many rivers The Indus River floods when snow melts from the Himilayas= silt Hot and humid climate Monsoons- seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons Summer= heavy rains/floods 100-200 inches of rain Winter=warm and dry Geography and Early India: Section 1

3. Harappan Civilization Developed along the Indus River As irrigation and agriculture improved, the civilization grew. Surpluses of food= more people= cities formed. Two main cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Both cities were Well planned Stood near a towering fortress where they could watch for invaders Had public wells Brick streets Markets Houses Geography and Early India

4. Harappan Civilization Cont. Most houses has indoor plumbing Arts: pottery, jewelry, ivory objects, cotton clothing, high quality tools, and used scales to weigh and measure Developed India’s first writing system Scholars never learned to read their language, so little is known about them. Harappan civilization ended in the early 1700’s BC. Possibilities include: Invaders Floods, earthquakes Geo and Ancient India

5. Aryan Civilization Some people think the Aryans help to end the Harappan Civilization Aryans were skilled warriors that used chariots and weapons. Scholars learn about the Aryans through the Vedas, or religious writings. Aryans were nomads that brought their animals with them as they moved. Over time, they began to settle into villages, but never built large cities like the Harappans. Each groups had its own leader. Each village was governed by a raja, or leader who ruled a village and the land around it. Geo and Ancient India

6. Aryan Civilization Villagers helped farm the land Sometimes rajas united together to fight an enemy and other times they fought one another. They did not read or write. They had to memorize. The language was Sanskrit. At first it was only spoken, but later was written down. Geo and Ancient India

7. Indian Society Divides The Aryans got so complex, that their society divided into groups based on their jobs. There were 4 main varnas, or social divisions Brahmins- priests Kshatriyas- rulers or warriors Vaisyas- farmers, craftspeople, traders Sudras- laborers and non-Aryans * The Brahmins were seen as highest ranking because they preformed rituals for the gods. Origins of Hinduism: Section 2

8. Indian Society Divides Each varnas was then divided into many castes or groups. Divided into castes based on wealth, birth, or occupation. As many as 3,000 different castes Origins of Hinduism: Section 2

9. Indian Society Divides Rules made for each caste. People were not allowed to marry out of their caste. Forbidden to eat with others from another caste. People who broke the rules would be banned from their caste= untouchables. Almost all of their time was spent within their own caste Origins of Hinduism: Section 2

10. Brahmanism Aryans practiced the religion Brahmanism Religion was based on the Vedas Rigveda- contained hymns and praises to dieties (gods) Vedic text 1- religious rituals- they believed that animals and food should be sacrificed on fire, so it can be offered to the gods. Vedic text 2- secret rituals only some people performed- done in the forst in secret Vedic text 3-Upanishads- reflections and thoughts on the other 3. Origins of Hinduism: Section 2

11. Hinduism Develops The blending of the Brahmanism and other cultures created Hinduism, the largest religion in India today. Believed in many gods Three major gods: Vishnu the Preserver Brahma the Creator Siva the Destroyer They believe that each deity creates and makes up Brahman. Brahman created the world and preserves it. Origins of Hinduism: Section 2

12. Hinduism Develops Everyone has a soul or atman inside them. This soul holds their personality, the qualities that make them who they are. Hindus believe their goal is to reunite their soul with Brahman, the universal spirit. They believe that their souls are born and reborn many times. Each time in a new body. Reincarnation- rebirth A person who dies is reborn into a new physical form. The form they are reborn into depends on their karma, the good or bad actions they do. A person with bad karma may be reborn into a lower caste system. Origins of Hinduism: Section 2

13. Hinduism Develops Jains react to Hinduism Good actions= good karma= higher caste system. Good karma will bring them salvation, free from life’s worries, and they have reached moksha. Each Hindu has to accept their own place in the world= obeying one’s dharma Jains were believers in Jainism Named after Mahavira, a Kashtriya, who was unhappy with the control that Brahmins had. 4 principles- injure no one, tell the truth, do not steal, and own no property No animal sacrifice, they are vegetarians and teach nonviolence Origins of Hinduism: Section 2

14. Siddhartha’s Search for Wisdom Siddhartha Gautama, a former Hindu, created a new religion He was a prince who grew up in luxury as a member of the warrior class. Felt something was missing in his life. He saw that people around him suffered and there was pain in the world. Before he was 30, he traveled looking for answers for 6 years. He wanted to free his mind from daily worries, so he fasted and meditated. He found a tree and meditated there for 7 weeks and found out three things about why people suffer. Origins of BuddhismSection 3

15. Siddhartha’s Search for Wisdom 1. wanting what we like but do not have 2. wanting what we like and already have 3. no wanting but dislike what we have. He spent 7 MORE weeks under the tree meditating= Tree of Wisdom He described his findings to 5 followers and they called it the first sermon. He was then called the Buddha, or Enlightened One. Origins of BuddhismSection 3

16. Teaching of Buddhism Buddhism- religion based on teachings of Buddha There are 4 Noble Truths No one can escape sorrow People cause their own misery because they want things they cannot have. People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach nirvana, a state of perfect peace. People can overcome ignorance and desire by following the Eightfold Path which leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and salvation. Origins of BuddhismSection 3

17. Teachings of Buddhism The Eightfold Path Right Thought- know we suffer and follow the 4 noble truths Right Intent- Be good and kind Right Speech- Avoid lies and gossip Right Action- Don’t steal or harm others Right Livelihood- Reject things that hurt others. Right Effort- Prevent evil and do good Right Mindfulness- Control your feelings and thoughts Right Concentration- Practice proper meditation. Origins of BuddhismSection 3

18. Teachings of Buddhism Rejected animal sacrifice and other Hindu texts He felt it was each person’s own responsibility to work for their own salvation People would continue to be reincarnated until they reached nirvana. If you followed the 8 fold path, you would reach nirvana. Opposed to caste system. Many people liked the idea that they weren’t stuck in a caste. Origins of BuddhismSection 3

19. Buddhism Spreads Buddhism first spread throughout India A powerful king, Asoka, converted to Buddhism and then made schools and temples. Missionaries spread the religion Buddhism spread throughout much of Asia There are two main branches of Buddhism today Theravada and Mahayana Origins of BuddhismSection 3