Geography Subcontinent – on Asia Peninsula – surrounded on 3 sides by seas (like a big arrowhead) Himalayan Mountains borders north – tallest mountains in world Hindu Kush Mountains 2 seasons: rainy & dry Droughts & Monsoons

2 Rivers: Indus and Ganges Indus River – from melting glaciers & natural springs from mountains Ganges River – begins in Himalayas. Considered sacred river. Rivers: used mud for bricks, silt for farming, water for irrigation

Hinduism 3rd most popular religion – polytheistic Developed out of Brahminism Sacred Text: Vedas & Upanishads Holy place: Ganges River No founder Meditation Universal soul – Brahman. 3 gods form 1 supreme god Brahman is in everyone called Atman

Reincarnation Soul born in human body, animal body and possible insect body Moksha – spiritual goad of Hindu is to become one with Brahma. Work selflessly for the good of society Karma – how a person is reincarnated is determined by karma Respect for elder Many Hindu gods & goddess Hindu Temple Holy books written in Sanskrit called the Vedas Caste system

Buddhism Religion about suffering and how to get rid of it Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) Do not believe in a personal creator God Path to Enlightenment – reincarnation Wheel of Life – symbolizes the cycle of life, death & rebirth (Reincarnation) Lotus flower Buddha statues Worship at temples. Shrine

Nirvana – end of reincarnation. Perfect peace and free of suffering Meditation Holy book: Tripitaka Dharma – teaching of Buddha 4 Noble Truths & The Eightfold Path – lead the Buddhist towards the path of Enlightenment. No soul Karma: Reincarnation

Achievements Language: Sanskrit (earlies & only known modern language) Mathematics: Use of Zero& decimal system. Hindu-Arabic number system Algorithm, Algebra Astronomy: Map movement of planets & stars Theory: Earth round & revolved around the sun

Mahabharata – famous epic; longest poem in the world Metalworking Medicine: Dental, surgeries, scalpels & needles Heal the causes of disease not treat the disease Mud brick for building Sewage system & planned cities

Political Systems Strong government. Monarchy. King or Emperor Planned cities King Asoka: ruled by Buddhist beliefs, made hospitals, tolerated other religion 1st great empire: Chandra Gupta Mauryan Empire

Economy Farming & Trade Traded wheat, rice, cotton, salt, gold, silk, pottery, spices Salt, cloth and iron – big trade items Trade routes

Social Structures Caste System – little movement between each caste Sudra – servants, could not own a business or land, work for others. Vaishya – farmers & traders, own business or land. Heavily populated. Kshatriya – warriors & rand government. Very few in this group Brahmin – Priests, teachers and judges. Most powerful. Lived in temples. Very few in group. Untouchables – did jobs on else wanted, consider not human.