Ch. 3 “India” 3000 BC to AD 500

Cultural Hearth: The Indus River Valley Between 3000-1500 B.C.

Isolated by Himalayas

Indus River Valley Geography Early cities Isolated by Himalayas Large rivers, prone to flooding (not good) Monsoons Grew wheat, dates, barley and melons Early cities Walled with citadels Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Strong central government Disappearance a mystery

Monsoon a seasonal wind pattern in Southern Asia. it blows warm, moist air from the southwest during the summer, bringing heavy rains, & cold, dry air from the northeast during the winter

1st Civ: Mohenjo Daro and Harappa

Vedic Age Indo-Aryan invasions New social classes based on race Came from the west Start of the Vedic Age Worshipped natural spirits/gods Brahmin priests New social classes based on race Brought language Sanskrit

Harappan House

Public Bath

Evidence of Advanced Civilization Carefully planned streets public wells advanced drainage and trash systems extensive trade of imports and exports

Mohenjo Daro Today

1500 BC Aryan Invasion

Indus civilization disappears Possible Reasons: A. Trade with Mesopotamia seemed to have ended B. Invasion/migration of Aryans into the Indus River Valley

Aryan Culture Develops Sanskrit - the first writing system of the Aryans, developed around 1000 B.C.

Aryans social institutions Caste system – a set of rigid categories in ancient India that determined a person’s occupation & economic potential as well as his or her position in society, based partly on skin color

Vocabulary 1. Brahmans - priest class 2. Kshatriyas - warriors 3. Vaisyas - commoners 4. Shudras - peasants 5. Untouchables - trash collector & morticians 6. Caste – one of the five major divisions of Indian classes in ancient times

Religions Hinduism Upanishads and epics Bhagavad-Gita Caste system Monistic – everything is connected to everything World is an illusion and humans can only escape through cycles of reincarnation Nirvana is the goal.

Karma – in Hinduism, the force generated by a person’s actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life. Dharma – in Hinduism, the divine law that rules karma, it requires all people to do their duty based on their status in society

Ancient Indian Dynasties Mauryan dynasty Very strict control over their territory India is unified Adopted Buddhism Gupta dynasty Territory much smaller Adopted Hinduism Chandra Gupta II Invasions from central Asia

Buddhism Founded in India around the 5th century BC. Based around the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) Key teachings – the “Four Noble Truths” and the “Eightfold Path.” Attempt to reach enlightenment through elimination of suffering.

The Maurya Empire 324 BC – 183 BC

Ancient Indian Culture Food surplus was used to trade with other civilizations Very limited women’s rights Education was very advanced Nalanda university Mathematics Algebra and number system Medicine Inoculation Free hospitals 1 2 3 4 5 6

Asoka (304 – 232 BC) Religious conversion after the gruesome battle of Kalinga in 262 BC. Dedicated his life to Buddhism and converted because he was tired of the Empire’s violent ways. Built extensive roads.