India Today
Five Fast Facts India has the second largest population in the world, with over 1.2 billion people. The major religions of India include Hinduism 80.5%, Islam 13.4%, Christianity 2.3%, Sikhism 1.9% The highest mountain in India—and the 3rd highest in the world-- is Kanchenjunga, standing at 28,209 ft). Many different languages are spoken in India. The main ones are Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, and Urdu. English is spoken widely because India was a British colony The most populated city is Mumbai—20.5 million people in metropolitan area-3 times the population of Washington State
Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY Early Civilizations of Ancient India Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY
The Harappan Civilization 3300 BCE - 2400 BCE
Citadel Of Mohenjo- Daro
Aerial View: Mohenjo-Daro
Wide View: Mohenjo-Daro
Mahenjo-Daro’s advanced plumbing
Harappa Sewer Drain
The foundations for Hinduism were established The Vedic Age 1500 BCE - 500 BCE The foundations for Hinduism were established
Aryan Migration pastoral depended on their cattle. warriors horse-drawn chariots.
Sanskrit writing
The Vedas 1200 BCE-600 BCE. written in SANSKRIT. Hindu core of beliefs: hymns and poems. religious prayers. magical spells. lists of the gods and goddesses. Rig Veda oldest work.
Varna (Social Hierarchy) Brahmins (priests) Kshatriyas (warriors) Vaishyas (Landowners and merchants) Shudras (laborers)
Pariahs [Harijan] also called “Untouchables”, people considered impure because of their work (gravediggers, trash collectors, butchers) They were called untouchables since even their touch was impure
The Caste System WHO IS… The mouth? The arms? The legs? The feet? Brahmins WHO IS… Kshatriyas The mouth? The arms? The legs? The feet? Vaishyas Shudras JATI?
Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE Unified northern India. Defeated the Persian general Seleucus. Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement. He feared assassination [like Saddam Hussein] food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. 301 BCE gave up his throne & became a Jain.
The Maurya Empire 321 BCE – 185 BCE
Asoka (304 – 232 BCE) Religious conversion after the gruesome battle of Kalinga in 262 BCE. Dedicated his life to Buddhism. Built extensive roads. Conflict how to balance Kautilya’s methods of keeping power and Buddha’s demands to become a selfless person?
Asoka’s Empire
Asoka’s law code Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan. Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic. 10 rock edicts. Each pillar [stupa] is 40’-50’ high. Buddhist principles dominate his laws.
One of Asoka’s Stupas
Turmoil & a power Vacuum: 220 BCE – 320 CE Tamils The Maurya Empire is divided into many kingdoms.
Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE
International Trade Routes during the Guptas
Extensive Trade: 4c spices silks cotton goods rice & wheat spices horses gold & ivory gold & ivory cotton goods
500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Gupta Achievements 1000 diseases classified 500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Kalidasa Literature Plastic Surgery Medicine Inoculations Gupta India C-sections performed Solar Calendar Astronomy Mathematics Decimal System The earth is round PI = 3.1416 Concept of Zero
The Decline of the Guptas Invasion of the White Huns in the 4th century CE signaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age. After the decline of the Gupta empire, north India broke into a number of separate Hindu kingdoms and was not really unified again until the coming of the Muslims in the 7 century CE.