1. Unit 1: From Pre-History to Early Civilizations
Chapter 3: Ancient India A

2. Section I: Indus Valley Civilization (Pages 48-55)
This section is about:
The development and the decline of the Indus Valley civilization.
The archeological evidence of the economic and cultural life of the people of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. A

3. A Some questions for our class: Who am I? (you - not this guy)
What am I to do?
How should I see things?
Read the text on page 48 in our books.
And, look at the picture on page 49
What else should we do before we move on? A

4. Lets be “active readers” (top right of page 50)
What else should we do?
Look at vocabulary words
Look at the “Main Ideas”
Check out the pictures
Check out the headings (in red in our book) A

5. What we often call the India sub-continent is really 3 places today: India / Pakistan / Bangladesh
The South-Central section of Asia 2
The Himalaya Mountains
(biggest mountains on earth) 1
Indo-Gangetic Plain
(Farming – Indus and Ganges Rivers)
The Western Ghats
The Eastern Ghats
Desert 3
Deccan Plateau
(raised area of level land) A

6. The weather in this region:
Has a lot of monsoons: heavy winds with very heavy rainfall.
Last from early June to early October
Some places (East side) get as much as 450 inches of rain a year.
The people depend on the rain for water for their farms, but too much rain is a problem.
The rest of the year has cooler, dryer weather
India can also get very hot – up to the 120’s in the desert A

7. A

8. India’s first great civilization (3500 B.C.) is called:
The Indus Valley Civilization – they were around for about 1000 years – and then vanished.
Traders: wove cotton, made jewelry and furniture, cooking utensils, writing sticks, back scratchers, dice, and game pieces.
Famers: grew wheat, barley, cotton, and fruit
Both: used stone, copper, and bronze tools.
It seems they also traded with other cultures at times. A

9. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (archeologists started digging at the oldest Indian settlements we know of about 1921)
Both about 1 square mile, similar layouts, and careful planning.
In the center: a huge fortress on a hill – called a citadel
Inside: a bath house, grain storage area, and a residential building
Why are these inside?
Streets ran parallel to each other - to do all this must have taken great planning. A

10. Brick homes
Some small (one room) – others large (even with court-yards and private wells for drinking and bath water).
People lived in areas according to their jobs.
The most advance plumbing in the world – water and sewer pipes running under the streets A

11. These people must have also been traders5
Indus Valley goods have also been found in other areas and goods from other areas have been found there.
They must have used the oceans and the many rivers in the area.
Indian pottery even has been found in Mesopotamia.
Archeologists have also found: games, toys (clay monkey that would slide down a string and a clay bull that wiggled it’s head), marbles, and dice (the same kind we use today) 4 A

12. Writing / Language:
They had some writing, but we don’t know what language they spoke.
When we do find “writing”, we don’t know how to read it.
Religion
We’re not sure what role religion played in their lives.
Some figurines (mostly female) look like gods/goddesses.
The bodies of the dead were buried with heads to the north, so… ?
Decline /Disappearance
Change in climate and people moved?
River changed and not enough water?
Earthquake / flood / disease?
Invaded and conquered?
Some remains have been found that weren’t buried – so what might that mean? 6 7 8 A

13. Lets finish being “active readers” (top right of page 50)

14. Finish the bottom of page "A"
Stop here for now
Finish the bottom of page "A" A

15. Section II: Aryan Civilization (Pages 56-60)
This section is about:
Who the Aryan people were.
How Aryan culture was preserved through oral traditions and sacred writings (the Vedas).
The changes to Aryan society and religion that happened at this time. C

16. 1 2 3 C What happened to the Indus civilization?
Some people think they were invaded by the Aryans. They were from southern Russia and may have been looking for land for their sheep, goats and cows.
The Aryans were fierce, skillful fighters who eventually conquered northern India.
Their descendants built many civilizations in the area.
We don’t know much about the Aryans because they seem to be nomads, and wouldn’t live in one place long enough to leave a lot of artifacts. 2 3 C

17. The Aryans did leave: The Vedas
Most of what we know about them comes from this collection of hymns, prayers, and religious teachings.
Memorized by priests and orally told for about 100 year before they were written down.
The message of the Vedas is one of peace and harmony.
Another sacred writing: the Upanishads (complex explanations of the Vedas): hard to understand though – so people usually just use the Vedas. C

18. The Aryan Caste System 4 C
The Aryans divided people up into groups called the Caste System. This divided people up into groups – based on their place in society.
There were 4 main groups (and actually a 5th).
You were born into your caste for life.
It determined your job, who you could marry, where you could worship, who you could eat with…..
It shaped every part of your life 4 C

19. The “varnas” 5 C

20. The Aryans worshipped many gods and goddesses
Many of their beliefs influence Asia even today.
Nature Gods are some of the earliest divinities (gods/goddess) mentioned in the Vedas.
They combined human characteristics with nature.
Brahmin Priests had a lot of power (they interpreted the Vedas, performed rituals and made sacrifices (food and drink) to the gods.
They were thought to be able to get help from the gods if it was needed, so you needed to keep the Priests happy. 6 C

21. Indra: the God of War C His weapon: the thunderbolt.
He used it to destroy demons and announce the arrival of needed rain.
Varuna: God of order and creation
Agni: the God of Fire and communicator between humans and Gods C

22. Poems about the Vedas
Some of the stories appear in two long poems called epics called the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Their stories are still popular today in Southeast Asia C

23. The Ramayana C About a hero Rama and his bride Sita.
Right after their wedding, Sita is kidnapped by a demon king (Ravana).
Rama is helped by a monkey-general named Hanuman. Ravana tries to trick Rama (kills a copy of Sita in front of Rama), but he’s not fooled.
Rama continues to fight and eventually wins back his wife.
This today symbolizes the ideals of husband and wife and their duty and devotion to each other through many hardships. C

24. The Mahabharata 7 8
One of the world’s longest poems - about 100,000 verses (and India’s greatest poem – even today)
Describes a war between Aryan cousins for control of the kingdom.
Problems increase when the Pandavas lose their kingdom to the Kauravas (in a dice game) and they have to fight to get it back.
Just before the battle, Arjuna (a Pandava) confesses to his charioteer that he doesn’t want to fight his cousins, even though he has a just cause. But he’s told it’s his duty to fight.
After 18 days, he and his brothers are victorious. C

25. During the time the Aryans controlled India9
Many cultures were blended together.
Aryans eventually gave up nomadic life and settled down as farmers.
Villages began trading and bartering with each other.
They then learned things from each other.
But the Aryans also continued to expand their territory. C

26. The Aryan influence… 10 C …shapes India and Asia even today.
The Caste System still is an influence in India.
Aryan beliefs also end up evolving into Hinduism and Buddhism. 10 C

27. Make sure page "C" is completed
Stop here for now
Make sure page "C" is completed C

28. Section III: Hinduism and Buddhism (Pages 61-64)
This section is about:
How Hinduism became the dominant religion in India.
The religion of Jainism (founded on the Hindu tradition of non-violence).
The religion of Buddhism and how it arose as an alternative to the formal religion of Buddhism. E

29. Meanings of all the above symbols
On page 61: Compare and Contrast: we’ll do this at the end.
The Main Ideas…
And… In India: Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are have some similarities, but some differences in beliefs and practices. H B J
Meanings of all the above symbols E

30. Hinduism E One of the most complex religions in the world.
Has no single “father”
No “sacred text”.
No identifiable beginning.
No authority or organization.
Came from the many cultures who settled in India.
It’s a religion, a history, and a way of life. E

31. Hinduism accepts many gods and goddesses…
…but are all part of one universal spirit – called Brahman.
The most important:
Brahma: the creator of the universe
Vishnu: The preserver
Shiva: the destroyer
All of these are part of Brahman – who is everlasting and endless.
Brahman is the cause, source, and reason for all existence. E

32. Hindu Beliefs 1
Reincarnation: you have a “spirit” that is re-born into another life form after you die.
Karma: are the actions of your life – and determines where your spirit will be re-born.
Dharma: is your religious and moral duties.
And don’t forget the caste system (which is a big part of this): you can’t move your standing in this life, but your spirit can move after you die.
Ahimsa: non-violence to all living creatures – the absence of desire to harm any living thing (even yourself) E

33. E

34. Jainism (another religion from India):
A religion that comes from ahimsa.
It’s a religion of non-violence.
This includes EVERY living thing – even insects and worms.
So that kind of limited their lives (can’t be a farmer).
Some people are still living parts of their lives based on Jainism. E

35. E The internal austerities are Atonement of sinful acts
Practice politeness and humility - in spite of having comparatively more wealth, wisdom, social status, power, etc.
Service to others, especially monks, nuns, elders and the weaker souls without any expectations in return
Scriptural study, questioning and expanding the spiritual knowledge
Abandonment of passions – especially anger, ego, deceit and greed
Meditation
The external austerities are meant to discipline the sensual cravings.
Fasting
Eating less than one's normal diet
Abstention from tasty and stimulating food
Practicing humility and thankfulness – by seeking help and offering assistance without egoistic tendencies
Practicing solitude and introspection
Mastering demands of the body E

36. The Rise of Buddhism
Began about 500 B.C. (a time of great social change and religious activity).
Many people wanted a simpler way of life than Hinduism and all their rituals. E

37. E Buddhism accepted some (but not all Hindu ideas).
Karma and Reincarnation were kept.
The caste system was rejected by Buddhists – they said all people had great potential.
Buddhism is “founded” by Siddhartha Gautama (known as: the Buddha – which means “awakened one” or “enlightened one”) E

38. Buddhist tradition…
Says the Buddha lived many lives before his birth as Siddhartha Gautama.
Before he was born, his mother had a dream about a white elephant descending from heaven.
Brahman priests told her it meant her son would either be a ruler or a wandering holy man. E

39. So his father raised him well – and hoped he would be happy living a rich life at home.
But, when he was 29, Siddhartha left home to see how others lived.
He saw a very old man, a sick man, and a dead man. He was so unhappy that others were suffering that he decided to leave home and go look for “ the way of truth”.
He wandered for 6 years – giving up all comforts and pleasures.
One day he decided he was going to sit under a tree until he understood the “mystery of life.” E

40. All of a sudden, one day he figured it out – and became “the Buddha”
For the rest of his life he taught “the four noble truths”
All human existence is full of pain and suffering.
The cause of suffering is selfish desire.
The only freedom from suffering is to overcome desire.
The only way to overcome desire is to follow “the eightfold path.”
and not worry about worldly cares any more.
2-5 E

41. 8 9 6 7 E

42. Finish the bottom of page "E"
Stop here for now
Finish the bottom of page "E" E

43. Section IV: Ancient Indian Dynasties (Pages 65-69)
This section is about:
The rise and fall of Chandragupta and his Mauryan Empire.
The Gupta Empire.
The great advances in arts and sciences at this time. G

44. Two of the best known of the ancient Indian cultures are the Mauryan and the Gupta Empires.
The first great empire of India was formed by Chandragupta Maurya.
He took control and united many kingdoms in the Indus River valley about 321 B.C. G

45. The Mauryan empire worked well because it was a bureaucracy.
Appointed officials were in charge of different responsibilities (building roads, running towns, collecting taxes).
There were even spies keeping track that everything was done correctly.
Chandragupta had a huge army: 700,000 men, 9,000 elephants, and 10,000 chariots.
He also improved business and trade for the empire, built canals, created jobs, built roads to link everything, and traded everywhere they knew of.
(a government system of departments – run by appointed officials) G

46. Chandragupta’s grandson (Asoka)…
…was the most admired of the empires rulers.
After losing more than 100,000 men in a battle, Asoka changed his mind about violence and became a Buddhist.
He won the support of India’s people through kindness and now saw himself as the protector of his people.
He tried to lead his people by example (and not by force).
He began placing edicts (orders) around places people would gather- promoting goodness, compassion, truthfulness, purity, tolerance, and gentleness. 1 2 G

47. Mauryan society was greatly improved by Asoka’s changes. He…
Dug wells along major roads for travelers.
Grew herbs and provided medical care.
Prohibited the slaughter of animals for food (Buddhism).
Tried to get “ministers” to help him make a more caring, tolerant society -even among different castes.
Promoted religious tolerance.
Gave assistance to the elderly.
Personally donated large sums of money.
All this helped spread Buddhism
to other parts of Asia 3 4 G

48. The empire failed when it couldn’t unite the entire sub-continent into one group.
Fifty years after Asoka died, the empire was pretty much gone.
We’re not sure why, but…
May have been too spread out to be united
The economy may have weakened.
Agriculture may not have been able to keep up with the population.
But… about 500 years later, a new empire would rise up in India. G

49. The Gupta Empire (about 320 A.D.)
Was not as large as the Mauryan Empire.
Because it had good military leaders, no one bothered them for about 300 years.
Because it was peaceful, the people could concentrate more on developing art, music, writing, literature, and architecture. 5 G

50. The empire was set up different than the Mauryan Empire
Divided into territories – each governed by a member of the royal family,
The people in these individual territories worked together pretty well – they all had mostly common interests.
Chandragupta I and his son Chandragupta II (not related to the Mauryan ruler) helped build up the Gupta empire.
The empire lasted until about 650 A.D. (when the Huns invaded from the north). There were many kingdoms at that time who wanted to control India 6 G

51. Gupta Art and Architecture:7
Art, architecture, math, and science were huge in the Gupta Empire.
They also supported both Buddhism and Hinduism.
Mural paintings and sculpture from the time show details of how the people lived.
They also built magnificent stone temples – usually simple buildings with heavy walls that had an image of a deity (god).
Some also had elaborate carvings that told the story of the Buddha. G

52. 8 G

53. Literature G The Gupta wrote in “Sanskrit” – their official language.
India’s greatest Sanskrit poet was Kalidasa: who wrote: “The Cloud Messenger” about a man who misses his wife and shares his sadness with a passing cloud.
There was another set of stories called the Panchatantra – a collection of animal fables. G

54. Science, medicine, and education also flourished in the Gupta Empire9
They even had centers of learning – or universities – probably the first of their kind in the world.
Students were taught medicine, physics, languages, mathematics, and literature.
In mathematics, they came up with the idea of using a number system with a decimal point and a zero. Aryabhata also probably came up with the ideas for Algebra and a decimal system that counted in tens.
They also studied astronomy and knew the earth had a round shape and rotated on an axis. G

55. Make sure page "G" is completed
Stop here for now
Make sure page "G" is completed G