World History – Chapter 3
India includes Pakistan and Bangladesh Southern region is called Deccan and Northern is called Hindustan 2 main rivers – Ganges and Indus (Indus River Valley) Monsoon (seasonal wind from the sea) provides water
Appeared about the same time as the Old Kingdom in Egypt The Harappa civilization centered between cities of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Lasted 1000 years Grew barley, wheat, built public bath system, sewer, and underground drainage Produced copper tools, bronze, and traded w/ Mesopotamia Had gold and silver jewelry; had a writing system; cities were built on a grid; they built brick buildings up to 4 stories Good at math 1500 B.C. the Aryans destroyed both cities and India entered a dark age
People reverted back to Neolithic Age for about 500 years Around 1000 B.C., urban civilization began to reappear along the Ganges City states grew; social groups evolved; began the Caste System: 1.Warriors 2.Priests 3.Land Owners 4.Merchant and Commoners Still exists today – much more detailed and many more levels
India has the 2 biggest religions: Buddhism and Hinduism Hinduism has 3 part god: 1.Brahma – Creator 2.Vishnu – Preserver 3.Shiva – Destroyer All together called “Brahman” All living things have souls Reincarnation – reborn souls are in the bodies of other creatures
Dharma – fulfillment of moral duty in this life so that the soul progresses toward deliverance in the next Karma – a belief that the present condition of a person’s life reflects what a person did/did not do in a previous life Karma determines what you will be reincarnated as Meditate to reach Brahman Political leaders justified the Caste System
Buddha – (means “enlightened one”) was shocked by death and suffering on earth Began to search for peace Eliminate desire for things (process called Nirvana) Must have no desire; cultivate compassion; honesty; unselfishness; reject violence; have a job that doesn’t bring violence to living creatures; no evil thoughts Did not recognize the Caste System which made the lower caste people to want to join
OOriginally, all had to shave heads and wear robes SSplit in to two groups 1.Hinayanna – “little vehicle”; believe Buddha was a man 2.Mahayana – “big vehicle”; believe Buddha was a human incarnation of God
Chandragupta began the Mauryan Empire in 300 B.C. Huge army; 700,000+ soldiers; chariots; elephants Had postal service; good roads; owned all the way to Hindu Kush Ashoka (son of Chandragupta) earned the title “Conqueror” by killing 100,000+ and capturing over150,000
After Ashoka’s death, the empire crumbled in 230 B.C. Foreign rulers owned until 320 A.D. when different Guptas took over Chandragupta I started the Golden Age until overthrown in 535 A.D. by foreign invaders