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The History and Culture of South and Southeast Asia

The History and Culture of South and Southeast Asia. The Indus Valley Civilization. Around 2500 BC, the Harappan civilization developed in the Indus River Valley. Archeologists have found ruins from an early city called Mohenjo-Daro.

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The History and Culture of South and Southeast Asia

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  1. The History and Culture ofSouth and Southeast Asia

  2. The Indus Valley Civilization • Around 2500 BC, the Harappan civilization developed in the Indus River Valley. • Archeologists have found ruins from an early city called Mohenjo-Daro. • The Aryans are believed to have migrated to South Asia around 1700 BC. • The Aryans spoke a language called Sanskrit and were nomads and herders.

  3. Hinduism • People of ancient India developed the religion of Hinduism. • Those who practice Hinduism are polytheistic. • The Vedas –or Books of Knowledge, contain writings on prayers, hymns, rituals and philosophy. • The ideas of karma and reincarnation are central to Hinduism. • Karma is the idea that a person’s actions determine future events. • Reincarnation is the idea that souls are reborn in different bodies after death.

  4. The Caste System • One of the main characteristics of Hinduism is the caste system. • A caste is an inherited social class. Each person is born to a particular caste for his lifetime. • The Hindu caste system is based on 4 major classes: priests, warriors, merchants, farmers and workers. Each caste had special duties and work. • Another group, once known as untouchables, was considered inferior and did undesirable work.

  5. Maurya and Gupta Dynasties • The first Indian empire was called Maurya (324–185 BC). • One of its emperors, Ashoka, created a unified government. • The Gupta dynasty (AD 320-500) ruled during India’s golden age in science, art and literature. • Sanskrit literature blossomed during this time and important discoveries in mathematics were made. • They developed the concept of zero and the “Arabic” numerals we use today.

  6. Ancient Crossroads • The central position of Southeast Asia made it a likely crossroads of trade. • A crossroads is a place where people, ideas and goods from many areas all come together. • Religious ideas and knowledge spread, as did skills such as farming and metalworking. • Around AD 100, traders, Hindu priests and Buddhist monks began to bring Indian culture to Southeast Asia, including art, architecture, and religion.

  7. Religious Diversity • Civilizations throughout Southeast Asia were influenced by the many different nearby religions. • Throughout this region, there are followers of Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity who were introduced to these religions by traders and missionaries.

  8. Buddhism • Buddhism, which also began in India, was founded by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama. • Gautama taught that people were unhappy because they had selfish desires for power, wealth, and pleasure. He became known as the “Buddha” or “Enlightened One.” • He taught people to give up their desires and want nothing in order to achieve happiness or nirvana. • The basic teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths.

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