South Asia History

1. South Asia History

2. Words to Watch • Gruesome- Causing horror or disgust • Decipher- To interpret the meaning of something • Anthropologist- A scientist that studies human origins • Ecology- Pattern of relationships between living things

3. Indus Valley Civilization • Lasted from 3300-1300 B.C. • Located in modern-day Pakistan and India along the Indus River • At its peak, the civilization had a population of around 5 million • Geographically, the largest ancient civilization in the world (covered the most area)

4. Cities of the Indus Valley • Over 1,000 cities and settlements have been discovered • Mohenjo-Doro – The most developed and sophisticated city of the Indus River • Archaeologists found gruesome remains when the city was excavated • Harrapa – Had about 25,000 people (very large for its time)

5. Ancient ruins of Harrapa

6. A computer-generated image of what Harrapa would have looked like

7. Cities of the Indus Valley • Both cities had an advanced system of trade and commerce • This was created by a surplus in agriculture • Domesticated plants like peas, dates, and cotton • Domesticated animals like the water buffalo • Seals were used to mark property, evidence of a written language

8. Make Your Own Seal • In your Interactive Notebook, create your own seal which you would use to mark your possessions • Include symbols that are important to you • This could be an animal, letters, logos and anything else that is special to you

9. Cities of the Indus Valley • Cities used advanced engineering systems to create a water supply and sanitation systems • Created the world’s first flush toilets • Created drainage systems to prevent flooding houses and had their own private water well • City streets were based on a grid system

10. Remains of the Indus Valley Civilization

11. The Indus River • The largest river in South Asia • People have dealt with flooding for thousands of years • Today, about 200 million people live in the Indus River floodplain

12. Maurya Empire • Lasted from 321 B.C. to 185 B.C. (about 150 years) • Mostly in modern-day India. Parts in modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Iran • Population is estimated between 50-60 million 320 B.C. 305 B.C. 300 B.C.

13. Maurya Empire • Founded by Chandragupta Maurya when he was only 20 years old • Developed a trading network across South Asia • Created a system of finance, administration, and security • Ashoka the Great (the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya) spread the teachings of Buddha • After witnessing a devastating war that killed thousands, he renounced war and violence

14. Gupta Empire • Lasted 320-550 AD (about 130 years) • Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta

15. Gupta Empire • Many inventions and scientific discoveries • Called the “Golden Age of India” • Developed Arabic numerals, the basis of our number system • Created the concept of zero and the decimal system

16. Mughal Empire • Lasted 1526-1858 (332 years) • Estimated population of 150 million • Under the rule of Akbar the Great, the Empire enjoyed cultural and economic success • Spread Islam throughout South Asia

17. Mughal Empire • Famous architecture: TajMahal Lalbagh Fort Jama Mosque Red Fort in Delhi

18. Caste System The caste system in India has been around for over 2,000 years Jatis- Translated as “thus born” People in India are born into categories in which their professions have already been chosen People marry within their caste There are 5 different levels within the Caste System

19. Caste System Brahman- Priests and other holy men

20. Caste System Kshatriyas- Rulers, warriors, and land owners

21. Caste System Vaishyas- Merchants and traders

22. Caste System • Shudras- Artisans and farmers

23. Caste System • Harijans- Outside the Caste System, known as “Untouchables”

24. Ghandi

25. British Rule