India

1. India • 1500 BC—The Aryans moved into the Indus River Valley • Nomadic herders • Mainly herded cattle • The Aryans quickly took the Indus River Valley and Ganges areas • Aryan tribal chief—rajah • Main economic resource—cattle • the more cows you owned, the wealthier you were • Cattle “rustling” became an issue that led to war between the different tribes

2. The Aryans began to settle in the Indus River valley and started to farm • Some grew crops • Others continued to herd cattle on the rich plains—provided meat, milk, and hides

3. The Aryans eventually considered their herds so important that they placed a ban on eating meat • The people became strict vegetarians • They ate cucumbers, bananas, barley, etc. • This “no meat” policy is a major principle in Hinduism today

4. Aryan Society and Culture • Men dominated Aryan society • Women had no authority • Women could remarry if their husband had died • The Aryans spoke Sanskrit, but had no written language • The warriors and herders used hymns to tell their history • After settling, the Aryans developed a written language based on Sanskrit

5. Once they had writing, the Aryan Priests collected the old poems, legends, and hymns into a volume of 4 holy books—the Vedas • The Vedas became the basis for Aryan religion • The oldest of the 4 books is the Rig Veda—considered the oldest religious text still in use

6. Part of the Vedas

7. Aryan society was divided into 4 main social classes called the varnas: • 1.) Warriors (Kshatriyas) • Most honored class • 2.) Priests (Brahman) • Studied the Vedas • 3.) Merchants, artisans, farmers (Vaisyas) • 4.) Unskilled workers and servants (Sudras)

8. The Aryans made the class system even more rigid in 500 BC • The varnas were further divided into groups called jati • Jati were based on people’s occupations • Shoemakers • Potters • Farmers • Metal workers

9. Jati had their own rules for diet, marriage, and social customs • Different jati groups could not socialize with each other • Once born into a jati, one would remain in that group for life • The system of varnas and jati evolved into the caste system • in the caste system, you had to stay in the group in which you were born—your ranking in society could not change • The lowest group in the cast system were the pariahs(untouchables)—they lived outside the city walls

10. The Aryans wrote 2 important epics 1.) Mahabharata Epic poem—100,000 verses Collection of writings from different authors Discusses Aryan religion and philosophy 2.) Ramayana 24,000 verses Tells of an ideal king—Rama—and his faithful wife—Sita It is a story about good and evil Good prevails over evil

11. Aryan Religion • Aryans were polytheists—believed in lots of gods • Agni—god of fire • Indra—god of thunder and war • Usha—goddess of dawn • The Aryans’ religion evolved into Hinduism • Hinduism is based on the many beliefs found in the Vedas and the Indian Epics

12. Many Aryans became tired of the ritual in the Vedas and began developing new religious ideas • These new ideas were written in the Upanishads • Upanishads tell of a universal spirit in all living things • Hindus believed all animals had souls—they banned the killing of any animal • Hindus believe all souls are part of one eternal spirit—BrahmanNerguna

13. The Upanishads encouraged the Hindus to fast and participate in yoga (prayer) Hindus believe in reincarnation—the soul is reborn after death The soul may have many lifetimes before its final joining with Brahman Nerguna The cycle of reincarnation is determined by one’s karma—how one lived his/her life determines what the soul will be reborn into If one lived a just life, the soul may be reborn into a higher caste If one did not live a just life, the soul may be reborn into a snake or insect

14. Hindus also practice ahimsa—non-violence toward all living creatures All living creatures are to be protected Ultimate aim of all Hindus—moksha—the release from all pain and suffering One reaching moksha has ended the cycle of reincarnation and has become one with Brahman Nerguna To achieve moksha, one must participate in:” Prayer Religious ritual Strict self denial Reject all worldly possessions

15. Development of Buddhism • 500 BC—religious life in India saw a change • Hindus were becoming unhappy with the rigid rituals of Hinduism • The people wanted a more spiritual faith • Many left their villages to search for answers in the countryside

16. India • The founded of the Buddhist faith was a Kshatriyas Prince—Siddharta Gautama

17. 566 BC—Gautama had a life changing experience—his driver took him through the poor part of the city • he saw, for the first time, pain, suffering, and death • He vowed to find why people suffered and a way to end people’s suffering • He left his princely lifestyle, his wife, and newborn child to wander the countryside looking for answers

18. Gautama’s journey to search for answers is called the Great Renunciation • He spent 7 years on the Great Renunciation • During the 7 years, he lived as a hermit and beggar • Legend says that the answers came to Gautama while he was meditating under a tree • He began preaching his ideas and gained lots of followers—his followers called him Buddha—the “enlightened one

19. Gautama Meditating

20. Buddha’s ideas were set down in the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path

21. Four Noble Truths 1.) All people suffer and know sorry 2.) People suffer because their desires bind them to the cycle of reincarnation 3.) To end suffering, one must end desire 4.) To end desire, follow the Eight Fold Path Eight Fold Path 1.) Know the Truth 2.) Resist Evil 3.) Say nothing to hurt others 4.) Respect Life 5.) Work for the good of others 6.) Free minds from evil 7.) Control your thoughts 8.) Practice meditation

22. If one followed the Eight Fold Path and avoided extremes, one would reach Nirvana—freedom from the cycle of reincarnation • Once reaching Nirvana, a person has become one with the universe • Buddhism does not believe in the Hindu caste system—anyone can reach enlightenment regardless of class

23. Path to Nirvana

24. Buddha preached his ideas for 45 years, until his death • He gained lots of followers who continued to preach after Buddha’s death • Buddhist monks took the religion out of India into different parts of Asia China Malaysia Korea Siam Japan Indonesia

25. Buddhism’s spread into Asia has made the religion one of the most dominant in Asia today • As the religion spread, the followers began to differ over Buddha’s role, causing 2 forms of Buddhism to develop

26. 1.) Theravada Found in South Asia Follow the original teachings See Buddha as a teacher 2.) Mahayana Worships Buddha as a savior and god 2 Forms of Buddhism

27. Indian Empires • After 500 BC, strong kingdoms will dominate South Asia and establish some very powerful empires • Mauryan Empire • Gupta Empire

28. 1.) Mauryan Empire • 321 BC—Chandragupta Maurya overthrew a powerful kingdom in India (the Magadha Kingdom) and created the Mauryan Empire—located in Northern and Central India • His empire lasted until 184 BC • Maurya used his powerful military to maintain control • He also used spies to watch over his enemies

29. Mauryan Empire

30. Chandragupta Maurya’s grandson—Asoka—helped the Mauryan empire to grow and helped spread Buddhism throughout Asia • 268 BC—he became emperor • He quickly expanded the empire by conquering neighboring kingdoms • He controlled 2/3 of India

31. Asoka

32. Asoka experienced a transformation similar to Buddha’s • Legend says Asoka had never been to the battlefield after his army had taken an area • One day, he decided to visit after a battle and was horrified by what he say • He vowed never to rule by force again • He converted to Buddhism and became a man of peace

33. Asoka created laws based on Buddha’s teachings • His laws were known as the Rock Edicts • He built free hospitals for the people • He built veterinary clinics for animals • He constructed roads in the empire • He sent out many missionaries to spread the ideas of Buddhism

34. 232 BC—Asoka died and the empire slid into decline • The new leaders heavily taxed the people • 184 BC—Mauryan Emperor was murdered • Northern India split into separate kingdoms

35. 2.) Gupta Empire • 500 years after the end of the Mauryan Empire fell, another powerful empire emerged in India—Gupta Empire • AD 310—Chandragupta I started the Gupta Empire • His empire ruled Northern Indian for 200 years

36. Gupta Empire

37. Gupta Empire was Hindu • Gupta leaders encouraged the people to learn from the Upanishads • The Gupta Dynasty has been called India’s Golden Age • The arts and sciences flourished

38. Chandragupta II (375-415) • Gupta Empire reached its height under Chandragupta II • He reduced taxes • Gave the people more freedom • Education and learning became important • Developed a new number—the Zero (0) • Created new number symbols—1-9 (Arabic Numerals)

39. Gupta scientists understood the Earth was round • They had a vague knowledge of gravity • Doctors could set broken bones • Doctors performed simple operations with newly developed medical tools

40. AD 415—Chandragupta II died and empire began falling apart • The government became weak and corrupt • Outsiders began invading the empire • Ad 600s—the empire had disappeared • Northern India was divided into small kingdoms