1. Enduring Impacts of India
By Jessica

2. Geography and Early India
India’s geography has high mountains, great rivers, and heavy rain. Indian civilization was first developed on the Indus River Valley.

3. Ancient societies
The highest mountain in the world is the Himalayas and is located in north India, this separated it with the rest of Asia. Page 124
In ancient India the Indus River Valley was were the Harappan Civilization was settled. When the Civilization ended the Aryans took power over the Indus River Page

4. Early India Vocabulary
Subcontinent- a large landmass
that is smaller
(page 124)
Monsoons- seasonal wind patterns
that cause wet and dry seasons
(page 125)
Sanskrit- the most important
language of ancient India.
(page 129)

5. Origins of Hinduism
When the Aryan society grew more complex, they were divided into the caste system. The Aryans practiced a religion known as Brahmanism.

6. The Caste System
Caste system- divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation.
(Page 131)

7. Origins of Hinduism Vocabulary
Hinduism- the largest religion
in India today (Page 133)
Reincarnation-the process
of rebirth (Page 133)
Karma- the effects that good or bad
actions have on a person’s soul (Page 134)
Jainism- was based on the teachings
of a man named Mahavira (Page 135)
Nonviolence- or the avoidance
of violent actions (Page 135)

8. Origins of Buddhism
Buddhism spread far from where it began in India. The teachings of Buddhism deal with finding peace. It became a major religion.
(Page )

9. Origins of Buddhism Vocabulary
Fasting- going with out food
(Page 137)
Meditation- the focus of the
mind on spiritual ideas
Nirvana- a state of perfect peace
(Page 138)
Buddhism- a religion based on
the teachings of a Buddha.
Missionaries- people who work to
spread their religious beliefs.
(Page 140)

10. Indian Empires
The two greatest empires of India were the Mauryan and Gupta Empire. They both built great empires in India. The Mauryan used war elephants and thousands of chariots.
(Page )

11. Asoka
Asoka was king of Mauryan Empire. He was the strongest of all. In conquering other kingdoms, he made his own empire both stronger and richer.
After Asoka died the empire soon began to fall apart. India divides into smaller states again
(Page 143)

12. Gupta Society India became divided for about 500 years.
Buddhism continued to spread and Hinduism declined
The empire soon took over and spread.
(Page )

13. Indian Achievements
Ancient India made great contributions to the arts and science. They created works of religious art, they created the Sanskrit literature, made scientific advances in metalworking, and medicine.
(Pages )

14. Indian Achievements Vocabulary
Metallurgy- the science of
working with metal
Alloys- mixture of two or
more metals
Hindu-Arabic numerals-
the number we use today.
Inoculation- injecting a person with
a small dose of a virus to help him or her
build up defenses to a disease.
Astronomy- the study of stars and planets

15. Review Questions Where did Harappan civilization develop?
How was Aryan society different from Harppan society?
What was the caste system?
What role did missionaries play in spreading Buddhism?
Who was the Buddha?
What happened after Asoka became a Buddhist?