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Early India

Discover the rich history of early India along the Indus River Valley, from advanced cities and technologies to the emergence of Buddhism and Hinduism. Explore the lasting contributions of these civilizations in government, religion, and society.

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Early India

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  1. Early India AP World History

  2. The Indus River Valley (India)

  3. India began along the Indus River, which flooded & left behind fertile soil Seasonal monsoons caused summer rains & floods The people were well protected on the Indian “subcontinent” by the oceans, mountains, & deserts that surrounded the Indus River Valley

  4. Lasting Contributions • Advanced cities: • Indus cities were laid out in a grid system with high walls & citadel of major buildings

  5. Lasting Contributions • Specialized Workers: • Indian society was divided by the “caste system” which divided people based on their purity in Hinduism

  6. Lasting Contributions • Government: • Little is known about Indus government other than they were ruled by kings

  7. Lasting Contributions • Religion: • Believed in a polytheistic religion called Hinduism • Hindus believe that one’s soul is reborn until moksha is achieved (reincarnation) • Moksha (enlightenment or nirvana) is the spiritual release from human form • A soul’s karma (good or bad deeds) effect reincarnation

  8. Lasting Contributions • Writing: • Indus writing has not been fully translated so much of Indus life is still a mystery • Writing contained about 400 symbols that were both pictograms & phonetic characters

  9. Lasting Contributions • Technology: • Advanced plumbing; Most houses had toilets & private bathrooms connected to underground sewer systems • Standard, oven-baked bricks

  10. Buddhism

  11. Buddhism

  12. Siddhartha Gautama(563-483 BCE) • Born in NE India (Nepal). • Raised in great luxuryto be a king. • At 29 he rejectedhis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentand the source ofsuffering. • Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs. • Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana. • Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

  13. The essence of Buddhism • The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.” • 2,500 year old tradition. • The 3 jewels of Buddhism: • Buddha, the teacher. • Dharma, the teachings. • Sangha, the community.

  14. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire! • Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself.

  15. Four Noble Truths • There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha) • The Buddha found this out when he was young and experienced suffering and death in others.

  16. Four Noble Truths The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha) The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. (Nirvana = “extinction”)

  17. Four Noble Truths To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.

  18. Eightfold Path Nirvana • The union with the ultimate spiritual reality. • Escape from the cycle of rebirth.

  19. Religions of South Asia

  20. Buddhism in the Subcontinent

  21. Theravada Buddhism

  22. Appeal of Buddhism • Less dependence on Brahmins for ritual activities • No recognition of caste, jati status • Philosophy of moderate consumption • Public service through lay teaching • Use of vernacular, not Sanskrit

  23. A Buddhist Monastery

  24. Ashoka’s Support of Buddhism • Personal conversion to Buddhism • Disillusioned after violent war with Kalinga • Banned animal sacrifices, mandated vegetarianism in court • Material support for Buddhist institutions, missionary activities

  25. Changes in Buddhist thought • 3rd c. BCE – 1st c. CE • Buddha considered divine • Institution of Boddhisatvas (“saints”) • Charitable donations to monasteries regarded as pious activity

  26. Spread of Mahayana Buddhism • Mahayana (“greater vehicle”), newer development • India, China, Japan, Korea, central Asia • Hinayana (“lesser vehicle,” also Theravada), earlier version • Ceylon, Burma, Thailand

  27. Emergence of Popular Hinduism • Composition of epics from older oral traditions • Mahabharata • Ramayana • Emphasis on god Vishnu and his incarnations • The Bhagavad Gita: • “Song of the Lord” • Centuries of revisions, final form c. 400 CE • Dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna during civil war

  28. Hindu Ethics • Emphasis on meeting class obligations (dharma) • Pursuit of economic well-being and honesty (artha) • Enjoyment of social, physical and sexual pleasure (kama) • Salvation of the soul (moksha)

  29. Popularity of Hinduism • Gradually replaced Buddhism in India • Gupta dynastic leaders extend considerable support

  30. Classical India

  31. Indian Empires: Mauryan & Gupta

  32. Chandragupta Maurya became king of India in 321 BC, created a vast army, & conquered new lands The Mauryan Empire of India After the river valley era, India transitioned into the Mauryan Empire • Chandragupta’s empire controlled most of the Indian subcontinent Indus River Valley

  33. India: The Mauryan Empire • Chandragupta used tactics to control his empire: • Like the Persians, Chandragupta divided his empire into provinces each ruled by a local prince

  34. During his wars of expansion, Asoka converted to Buddhism The Mauryan Empire of India In 269 B.C., King Asoka took over & expanded the Mauryan Empire to its greatest extent Asoka developed new policies of tolerance & nonviolence for his empire Buddhism spread as a result of Asoka’s influence Indus River Valley

  35. The Gupta Empire After Asoka’s death, the Mauryan Empire declined & was replaced by the Gupta Empire Chandra Gupta formed the Gupta Empire in 320 A.D. & expanded the empire

  36. Classical India • India experienced a “golden age” during the Gupta Empire & became a “classical empire” • Indian astronomers were the first to discover that the earth was round • Mathematicians invented modern numerals, zero, pi, & the decimal system

  37. Merchants sold exotic spices & silks to people in the Mediterranean world

  38. Cross-cultural Exchanges on the Silk Roads

  39. Long-Distance Travel in the Ancient World • Lack of police enforcement outsied of established settlements • Changed in classical period • Improvement of infrastructure • Development of empires

  40. Trade Networks Develop • Dramatic increase in trade due to Greek colonization • Maintenance of roads, bridges • Discovery of Monsoon wind patterns • Increased tariff revenues used to maintain open routes

  41. Trade in the Hellenistic World • Bactria/India • Spices, pepper, cosmetics, gems, pearls • Persia, Egypt • Grain • Mediterranean • Wine, oil, jewelry, art • Development of professional merchant class

  42. The Silk Roads • Named for principal commodity from China • Dependent on imperial stability • Overland trade routes from China to Roman Empire • Sea Lanes and Maritime trade as well

  43. The Silk Roads, 200 BCE-300 CE

  44. Organization of Long-Distance Trade • Divided into small segments • Tariffs and tolls finance local supervision • Tax income incentives to maintain safety, maintenance of passage

  45. Cultural Trade: Buddhism and Hinduism • Merchants carry religious ideas along silk routes • India through central Asia to east Asia • Cosmopolitan centers promote development of monasteries to shelter traveling merchants • Buddhism becomes dominant faith of silk roads, 200 BCE-700 CE

  46. The Spread of Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity, 200 BCE – 400 CE

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