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Ancient Civilizations: India

Ancient Civilizations: India. Maurya & Gupta Empires. Geography & Environment. The Geography. On which continent is India located? Asia; India is a subcontinent of Asia. The Geography.

malcolm-kirby
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Ancient Civilizations: India

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  1. Ancient Civilizations:India Maurya & Gupta Empires

  2. Geography & Environment

  3. The Geography • On which continent is India located? • Asia; India is a subcontinent of Asia

  4. The Geography • On which river did the ancient Indians settle? • The Indus & Ganges Rivers

  5. Early Indian Empires

  6. The Mauryan Empire

  7. Mauryan Empire • Established in 322 BC by the great Indian military leader, Chandragupta Maurya

  8. Mauryan Empire • Politically united North India for the first time ever • Created a highly effective government; included tax collection & the enforcement of laws

  9. Mauryan Empire • In 269 BC Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, became emperor of the Mauryan Empire

  10. Mauryan Empire • After many years of violent conquest, Asoka felt remorseful

  11. Mauryan Empire • Converted to Buddhism & ruled by Buddha’s teaching of “peace to all beings” • Spread Buddhism throughout India & other parts of Asia via missionaries

  12. Asoka’s Rock Edicts • Laws carved on rock pillars were placed throughout the empire • Stressed concern for other human beings

  13. The Gupta Empire

  14. Gupta Empire • After the fall of the Mauryan Empire India experienced 500 years of chaos • Finally in AD 320 a strong leader known as Chandra Gupta rose to power in Northern India

  15. Gupta Empire • 320 AD to 535 AD • India’s “Golden Age,” or the flourishing of arts & sciences

  16. Gupta’s Golden Age • Achievements in Mathematics: • Principles of algebra • Infinity & Zero • Value of Pi • Arabic numerals  1, 2, 3…

  17. Gupta’s Golden Age • Achievements in Science: • Earth is round • Identified 7 planets • Invented medical instruments, performed operations, set bones, etc.

  18. The THREE PILLARS of Indian Life

  19. The Caste System: System of social hierarchy within India 5 different castes (social classes) 1) The Caste System

  20. Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras Priests Nobles, warriors, royalty Caste System Merchants & skilled workers Servants, peasants, slaves, laborers Untouchables: Outcasts = outside caste system

  21. Members of higher castes were considered more pure Untouchables were considered spiritually polluted; ignored by members of other castes Caste Purity?

  22. Caste Roles • Different castes were viewed as being different species • Castes were separated from each other (location, housing, clothing, occupation, etc.)

  23. Caste Roles • If you were obedient to the restrictions of your caste, you would be reincarnated into a higher caste

  24. 2) Family • One was aware of his or her caste from childhood • It was the FAMILY’S responsibility to teach children about caste, as well as their expected duties/behaviors

  25. 2) Family • Family needs ALWAYS came before individual wishes • Patriarchal society

  26. 3) Village • Community served as the heart of Indian life • Community needs ALWAYS came before individual wishes

  27. 3) Village • Different castes lived together in the SAME village • WHY IS THIS SO?

  28. The Indian Caste System – An Introduction • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_xvKLhZHg

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