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Explore the rich geography of ancient India, from the Himalayas to the fertile Indus River Valley. Discover how civilization flourished around seasonal rains and farming techniques in this subcontinent.
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Geography • The geography of India includes high mountains, great rivers, and heavy seasonal rain.
Geography • India is asubcontinent. Which is a large landmass that is smaller than a continent • The mountains of northern India are called the Himalayas • Over time, the Indus River Valley became ideal for farming. Which of the following events took place first?Heavy snows fell in the Himalayas.
Geography • India’s monsoons are seasonal. Which means The monsoons occur in a regularpattern • Civilizations arose around the seasonal rainfall.
Geography • Civilization in India began the Northern Region with the great rivers and fertile land.
Geography • The highest mountains in the world separate India from the rest ofAsia. They are known as the Himalayas. • The Himalayas are the northern part of India. • In the Westarethe Hindu Kush which provides protection from enemies.
Indus River Valley. • Population grew in the Indus River Valley. • Growth came as irrigation and farming techniques improved. • Cities were built as surplus food was produced.
Indus River Valley. • Two cities that developed wereHarrapa & MohenjoDaro
Indus River Valley. • Both Harappa and MohenjoDaro were well-planned citiesthat grew in the Indus River Valley. They were intelligent and talented. • Because Indian farmers learned how to irrigate crops ,villages grew along the rivers.
Indus River Valley. • Indus Valley people were able to build their citiesbecause they paved roads and built mud brick houses • Scholars do not know why Harappan civilization ended.
Invaders from the West • When the Harappan civilization dissipated in 1700 BC, Central Asians called Aryans began taking over territory.
Indian Society • Unlike thaHarappan system of government, The Aryan system was based mostly on family connections • Oral tradition in religion and mythology resulted in the most important language of ancient India: Sanskrit. • Aryans wrote their poems and hymnsin a language called Sanskrit
Indian Society • Aryans believed that the most important thing in life was warfare Aryans fought each other nearly as often as they fought outsiders.
Indian Society • The Aryans began to farm, so they stayed in one place andabandoned their nomadic lifestyle.
Indian Society • Indian society divided into distinct groups under the Aryans. • The Aryans practiced a religion known as Brahmanism. • Hinduism developed out of Brahmanism and influences from other cultures. • The highest class in Aryan society was Brahmins • Hindus believe that all of their gods are part of a universal spirit called Brahman.
Indian Society • The Aryans developed a system of social class known as the caste system which divided people into castes or groups according to their occupation.
Indian Society • Hindus believe that each person has a soul. The soul did not die with the body but instead was reborn again in another body that was calledreincarnation.
Hinduism • The followers of Hinduism are called Hindus. • Hindus worship many gods. But they believe those gods are part of a supreme of highest spirit called Brahman. • Hindus believe people become joined forever with Brahman through a process called Reincarnation
India and Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama was born in India around 563 B.C. and he began his search for the truth about human suffering. • Much of what we know about Siddhartha comes from Buddhist writings. • The Buddha’s teachings wereinfluenced by otherreligionsbecause He searched for truth by studying with teachers ofHinduismbut never found his answers.
India and Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama most concerned with helping people worship God on a daily basis • The guiding principles at the heart of Buddhism are called the Four Noble Truths. • many people from lower social classes to supported the Buddha’s teachings because the Buddha opposed the caste system.
Indian Empires • CandraguptaMauryawas a military leader who founded the Maurya Empire. He was able to set up a strong central government for the empire.
Indian Empires • Chandragupta’s grandson,Asoka, one of the most powerful kings in India, became a Buddhist and spread Buddhism in India and foreign lands. • one effect of Asoka Maurya becoming a Buddhist was that he swore to not fight any more wars. • He called for religious toleration
Indian Empires • Asoka built monasteries all over India and sent missionaries across Asia to spread Buddhism. • People who work to spread religious beliefs are called missionaries
Gupta Empire • After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, India remained primarily Buddhist for 500 years. • Under the rule of Candra Gupta I, India became unified and prosperous again.
Gupta Empire • The first Gupta emperorwas Candra Gupta I • The Gupta Empire was a time of peace and prosperity. And a time of many achievements in art and mathematics. • For example:The Indians created a new number system that was a base 10 number system.
Indian Achievements • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzOKUTJK8Wc&feature=youtu.be
Fall of Gupta Empire • What happened to the Gupta Empire? • Invaders from central Asia called the Hunsattacked India • The central government of the empire had broken down • India eventually divided into many separatekingdoms.
