Early India Geographic Orientation Natural boundaries Semi-isolation—a natural culture area Passes in the north—invasions and migrations

Early India: Geography Two main areas : North: Indo-gangetic plain Richest part of the country South: the Deccan Higher and dryer Climate: the Monsoon

Early India: Variety and diversity A nation of minorities Types of diversity: Linguistic Religious Temporal Dress, music, food Centrifugal forces strong Unity uncommon and difficult

Early India: Brief History (four stages) + Indus River (Harappan) civilization (ca BCE) * Discovered in the 1920’s * People often called Dravidian * Two major cities: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro * Technological developments: cotton, fowl, metallurgy * Religion: sacred animals, trees; priestly class (?) * Trade and business + The Aryan Migrations (ca BCE) * A branch of the Indo-European peoples * Bronze-age charioteers; nomadic pastoralists * Rejected city and farming life of the Dravidians * Pushed eastward into the Ganges river valley * Two new technologies: rice and iron * New start at civilization: cities and kingdoms

Early India: Brief history The Mauryan Empire ( BCE) * Alexander the Great invades India, 327 BCE * Chandragupta Maurya --the “Shihuangdi” of India --Establishes unity for the first time * Ashoka ( BCE) --considered India’s greatest native ruler --”Conversion” to Buddhism ^ War minimized ^ Rule by “righteousness” --Pillar edicts; missionary activity * After Ashoka India disintegrates politically --Establishes a reverse pattern to China

Early India: Brief History + The Gupta Empire ( CE) * India’s “Golden Age” * The arts and sciences fully developed --Sanskrit literature --Temple architecture * Science—striking achievements --Mathematics: “Arabic” numerals, zero, infinity, cube roots, quadratic equations --Surgery and dentistry --Metallurgy, glassware, cotton fabrics * Extension of Indian influence to Southeast Asia