Ancient Civilizations & Early Empires South Asia Ancient Civilizations & Early Empires
South Asia India Largest country on Indian Subcontinent On of the world’s oldest civilizations
Ancient Civilizations Harappan Civilization Indus River Valley Pakistan One of world’s largest ancient civilizations Flourished between 3000 BC and 1700 BC Often called Harappan civilization After its first discovered city Harappa was one of eight major Harappan cities All were trade centers located along waterways
Harappan Civilization
Ancient Civilizations Aryan Civilization Populated much of northern India around 1500BC Moved from place to place herded livestock Left two important legacies behind Social order Sanskrit Aryans believed in orderly society divided into varnas-or social classes Brought the Sanskrit to this region Parent language of Hindi
http://www.ukindia.com/zip/zsan01.htm
Early Empires Mauryan Empire 320BC ruler Chandragupta united nearly all of northern India, Afghanistan and parts of Asia Under him trade flourished & farming improved & weights and measures were made standard Great Emperor Asoka Helped expand empire and improve trade Spread Buddhism After his death power struggles and invasion destroyed empire
Mauryan Empire
Early Empires Gupta Empire 300 ADs United much of northern India Trade and culture thrived Scholars made important advances in math, medicine and astronomy Concept of zero first introduced Empire weakened by invaders By 550 India was divided once again
Gupta Empire
Early Empires Mughal Empire In 1500s a new group of Muslim invaders led by great warrior Babur Conquered much of Northern India 1526 Establish Mughal Empire Babur grandson Akbar was one of India’s greatest rulers Trade flourished Demand for Indian goods like spices and tea grew Empire grew rich from trade Religious tolerance encouraged peace in empire Although Mughals were Muslim most Indians still practiced Hinduism Architecture thrived Taj Mahal India’s most spectacular building Built during Mughal Empire Late 600s Muslim armies began launching raids on India
Mughal Empire
Taj Mahal
Early Empires British Empire As early as the 1500’s Europeans had tried to control parts of India 1600’s English presence began in India Demand of Indian goods such cotton and sugar was high Mughal rulers granted East India Trading Company East India Company British trading company At first was small trading post British presence gradually grew Expanded territory and power By mid 1800’s controlled more than half of India Colony-territory inhabited and controlled by people from foreign land
Early Empires British Empire(continued) India had become a British Colony British rule angered and frightened many Indians 1857 Indian troops revolted, triggering violence across India British government crushed the rebellion and took control of India, away from East India Company British government ruled India directly
Independence 1800s Indians began to question British rule Created Indian National Congress Hoped to gain more rights and opportunities Mohandas Gandhi Important leader Non-violent protests 1947 two countries were formed Pakistan-Muslim India-Hinduism As result 10 million people rushed to cross border in fear of religious persecution Soon after India and Pakistan gained Independence Other countries in region did too gradually
Religion Hinduism One of the world’s oldest religions, Hinduism, is practiced by most people in India today. Hinduism evolved over thousands of years and was influenced by the cultures and traditions of many peoples. However a few fundamental teachings are shared by nearly all Hindus
Religion Buddhism