Ancient Civilizations: India

1. Ancient Civilizations:India

2. Geography & Environment

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

4. The Geography • Indian subcontinent: landmass that includes India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, & Bhutan

5. The Geography • World’s tallest mountain ranges separate it from the rest of Asia • Mountains to the north & desert to the east help protect Indus Valley from invasion

6. The Geography • On which river(s) did the ancient Indians settle? • The Indus & Ganges Rivers which form flat, fertile plains

7. The Indus Valley Civilization

8. Earliest Arrivals • About 7000 BC, evidence of agriculture & domesticated animals; by 3200 BC, people farming in villages along Indus River

9. Planned Cities • By 2500 BC, people build cities of brick laid out on a grid system • Indus valley called Harappan civilization after Harappa, a city • Mohenjo-Daro is another city on Indus

10. Planned Cities • Engineers create plumbing & sewage systems • Lanes separate rows of houses - which featured bathrooms!

11. Thinking Question… • What does the city planning and attention to plumbing and sewer systems tell us about this ancient culture?

12. Harappan Culture • Language: • Had writing system of 400 symbols, BUT scientists can’t decipher it

13. Harappan Culture • Role of religion: • priests closely linked to rulers • some religious artifacts reveal links to modern Hindu culture • Trade: • had thriving trade with other peoples, including Mesopotamia

14. Harappan Decline • Signs of decline begin around 1750 BC • Earthquakes, floods, soil depletion may have caused decline • Around 1500 BC, Aryans enter area & become dominant…

15. Clash of Cultures

16. About 1500BC, Indo-European people called the Aryans migrated into the Indus Valley region The Clashing of Cultures

17. The Aryans: Were male dominated nomadic tribes Herded animals (cattle) Were warriors Had nowritten language The Clashing of Cultures

18. The Clashing of Cultures: • From the clash of these two cultures came: • Religious Writings • Distinct Social Structure; the CASTE system • Hinduism

19. Religious Writings • The VEDAS: • “Books of Knowledge” • Songs & prayers of the Aryans – passed down through oral tradition

20. The Caste System

21. The Caste System • Aryans were physically distinct from people of India (lighter skin, taller) • 4 castes, or groups based on occupation, develop to separate Aryans & non-Aryans

22. Brahmins: Priests Kshatriyas: Rulers & Warriors Vaishyas: Traders & Landowners, Merchants Sudras: Laborers & Servants Caste System Untouchables:Outcasts = outside caste system

23. Thinking Question: • What do these body parts indicate about each of the 4 major castes?

24. The Caste System • People are born into their caste for life; hundreds of subgroups arise later • Members of higher castes were considered more pure

25. People outside the caste system: the Untouchables! Considered spiritually polluted; ignored by members of other castes The Caste System

26. Thinking Question… • Even though castes were separated in society, different castes lived together in the SAME village – Why?

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

28. Hinduism The Beginnings…

29. The Beginnings • Hinduism: a collection of religious beliefs that developed slowly over time • No one founder

30. The Beginnings • 750-500 BC Hindu teachers tried to interpret and explain meanings of Vedic hymns • Create Upanishads - texts of religious teachings

31. Hindu Gods

32. Hindu Gods • Brahman: • Supreme god and universal world soul

33. Hindu Gods • Hindus believed that Brahman was too complex a concept for humans to understand • Worshipped gods & goddesses who served as links to Brahman

34. Brahman One Divine Essence Unity Gods - Many manifestations of Brahman Brahma The Creator Vishnu The Preserver Shiva The Destroyer Hindu Gods + millions of other gods

35. Hindu Beliefs

36. Major Hindu Beliefs • Each person has atman – individual soul • Goal in life is to unite atman (individual soul) with Brahman (world soul) • How?...

37. Major Hindu Beliefs • Reincarnation: • The cycle of rebirth; people born to new lives • Karma: • Every action is punished orrewarded which determines course of new life

39. Major Hindu Beliefs • Dharma: • One’s moral duty in life; varies according to caste, gender, etc. • How might this reinforce the caste system??

40. Major Hindu Beliefs • Moksha: • State of perfect understanding = freedom from rebirth • Union with Brahman achieved • Hindus choose own path to moksha

41. Impact of Hinduism • Hinduism spread throughout Indian subcontinent • Jainism– New religion 500s BC; will not harm any creature; practice religious tolerance

42. Early Indian Empires

43. The Mauryan Empire

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

45. Mauryan Empire • Politically unites North India for the first time ever • Taxation supports huge army and creates highly effective gov’t

47. Asoka’s Reign • In 269 BC Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, becomes emperor

48. Asoka’s Reign • After many years of violent conquest, Asoka feels remorseful

49. Asoka’s Reign • Converts to Buddhism & rules by Buddha’s teaching of “peace to all beings” • SpreadsBuddhism throughout India & other parts of Asia via missionaries; but tolerant of other religions

50. Asoka’s Reign • Asoka’s Rock Edicts: Laws carved on rock pillars are placed throughout the empire • Stress concern for other human beings