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Ancient Indian Civilizations. World History – Chapter 3. Background and Geography. India includes Pakistan and Bangladesh Southern region is called D eccan and Northern is called Hindustan 2 main rivers – Ganges and Indus ( Indus River Valley )
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Ancient Indian Civilizations World History – Chapter 3
Background and Geography • India includes Pakistan and Bangladesh • Southern region is called Deccan and Northern is called Hindustan • 2 main rivers – Ganges and Indus (Indus River Valley) • Monsoon (seasonal wind from the sea) provides water
1st Civilization • Appeared about the same time as the Old Kingdom in Egypt • The Harappa civilization centered between cities of Harappa and MohenjoDaro • Lasted 1000 years • Grew barley, wheat, built public bath system, sewer, and underground drainage • Produced copper tools, bronze, and traded w/ Mesopotamia • Had gold and silver jewelry; had a writing system; cities were built on a grid; they built brick buildings up to 4 stories • Good at math • 1500 B.C. the Aryans destroyed both cities and India entered a dark age
…Continued • People reverted back to Neolithic Age for about 500 years • Around 1000 B.C., urban civilization began to reappear along the Ganges • City states grew; social groups evolved; began the Caste System: • Warriors • Priests • Land Owners • Merchant and Commoners • Still exists today – much more detailed and many more levels
Indian Religions - Hinduism • India has the 2 biggest religions: Buddhism and Hinduism • Hinduism has 3 part god: • Brahma – Creator • Vishnu – Preserver • Shiva – Destroyer • All together called “Brahman” • All living things have souls • Reincarnation – reborn souls are in the bodies of other creatures
Religions – Hinduism continued • Dharma – fulfillment of moral duty in this life so that the soul progresses toward deliverance in the next • Karma – a belief that the present condition of a person’s life reflects what a person did/did not do in a previous life • Karma determines what you will be reincarnated as • Meditate to reach Brahman • Political leaders justified the Caste System
Religions - Buddhism • Buddha – (means “enlightened one”) was shocked by death and suffering on earth • Began to search for peace • Eliminate desire for things (process called Nirvana) • Must have no desire; cultivate compassion; honesty; unselfishness; reject violence; have a job that doesn’t bring violence to living creatures; no evil thoughts • Did not recognize the Caste System which made the lower caste people to want to join
Religions – Buddhism continued • Originally, all had to shave heads and wear robes • Split in to two groups • Hinayanna – “little vehicle”; believe Buddha was a man • Mahayana – “big vehicle”; believe Buddha was a human incarnation of God
Leaders in India • Chandragupta began the Mauryan Empire in 300 B.C. • Huge army; 700,000+ soldiers; chariots; elephants • Had postal service; good roads; owned all the way to Hindu Kush • Ashoka (son of Chandragupta) earned the title “Conqueror” by killing 100,000+ and capturing over150,000
Leaders in India • After Ashoka’s death, the empire crumbled in 230 B.C. • Foreign rulers owned until 320 A.D. when different Guptas took over • Chandragupta I started the Golden Age until overthrown in 535 A.D. by foreign invaders
