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Ancient India. Early Settlers: Indus River Valley. Early people lived in the Indus River Valley Like the Nile, the Indus flooded predictably & provided rich soil for farming People of Indus River developed well-planned cities with brick homes, streets, wells, sewers, markets.
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Early Settlers: Indus River Valley • Early people lived in the Indus River Valley • Like the Nile, the Indus flooded predictably & provided rich soil for farming • People of Indus River developed well-planned cities with brick homes, streets, wells, sewers, markets
Early Settlers: Indus River Valley • Cities in Indus River Valley began to decline & came to an end around 1500 B.C. Why? • Indus River changed course? • Over-farming & over-grazing of land? • Attacks by invaders?
Early Settlers: Aryans • Aryans entered Indus River Valley in 1500 B.C. • Did not live in cities (nomads) & had no writing system; spoke early form of Sanskrit (language that is still around today in India) • Passed on traditions through Vedas—thousands of oral scriptures & poems that tell of the history & religion of Aryans
Through Cultural Diffusion between Early Indus River peoples and Aryan Invaders—Unique Indian Culture Developed
Early Settlers: Cultural Diffusion • Through cultural diffusion (sharing & blending of ideas) of Indus River Valley Civilization and Aryans, a unique Indian culture was created: • Hinduism • Caste System
Caste System • Caste System—complicated set of divisions of people within Indian society; higher castes were “purer” than lower castes • Did not marry outside of caste; did not share food with lower caste • Each group had own occupation & dharma (duty within caste) • “Better to do one’s own duty badly than do another’s duty well”
Caste System • Priests • Warriors, Rulers • Common People • Unskilled Laborers • Slaves (Untouchables)
Ancient India Hinduism & Buddhism
Hinduism • Oldest religion in the world • Beliefs: • Brahma—a mighty spirit that creates all & destroys all lives everywhere, in everything. • To become one with Brahman (called moksha), you must get “purer”
Hinduism • Beliefs: • Caste system reflects purity; higher caste means one is “more pure” • Reincarnation—after you die, your soul returns to another body; into which caste your soul returns depends on how you lived your life (called your karma)
Reincarnation . . . • Everything a person does affects the future of his/her soul. • No deed is forgotten • A person builds a future life through action.
Buddhism • 528 B.C. Siddhartha Gautama introduced Buddhism—anyone can achieve Enlightenment through the Four Noble Truths
Buddhism • Four Noble Truths: • Suffering is part of life • People suffer because they want things that cannot have • To end suffering means to end “wanting” • Once overcome suffering, can achieve nirvana (state of enlightenment by following the Eight-Fold Path)
Eight-Fold Path • Right Views—believe • Right Thought—don’t be envious • Right Action—do what is right • Right Effort—be disciplined • Right Livelihood—live simply • Right Speech—say nice things • Right Mindfulness—keep good mind & body • Right Meditation—be focused
Buddhism • Based on non-violence & kindness—true Buddhist wouldn’t hurt a fly • No rituals; based on meditation & actions • Anyone (even women, the poor, & slaves) could attain nirvana
Spread of Buddhism • 322-298 B.C. Chandragupta united all of northern India under Mauryan Kingdom using terror • His grandson, Ashoka was more peaceful & became Buddhist • Ashoka sent hundreds of missionaries to spread Buddhism; Buddhism became a major world religion
Creating a Buddhist Brochure • King Ashoka of the Mauryan Kingdom of India has asked you to create a persuasive brochure for Buddhism to help spread the faith • Your brochure should: • Include information about Buddhism • Include images that reflect your content • Explain why it is the “best” religion • Include persuasive writing that tries to convert people in the region from Hinduism to Buddhism