World History Chapter Three Ancient India and China

Early Civilizations of India and Pakistan Subcontinent – large landmass that juts out from a continent Bordered by Hindu-Kush and Himalayas Served as a partial barrier, but not complete Three zones: Fertile Gangetic Plains Dry Deccan Plateau Coastal Plains

Plateau – raised level area of land Monsoon – seasonal winds that blow from certain direction for part of the year Depending on the direction, they bring rain or dry air Depend on the rains for crops

Indus Civilization 2600 B.C. – Indus Valley Civilization Lasted 700 years and rivaled Sumer Have not found any records of Kings and Queens, tax records. Only small clay seals Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro – two cities considered possible sites for the capitol of Indus Civilization

Farming and Trade Most people were farmers Grew wheat, barley, melons, and dates Also were merchants and traders Traded cotton cloth, grains, copper, pearls, ivory

Religion Polytheistic – believed in many gods Mother goddess – source of creation Bull and buffalo considered sacred Became part of Indian culture especially the veneration of cattle Veneration – special regard

Decline Crude pottery replaced fine works from early on Writing stopped Mohen-Daro – was abandoned What happened? Maybe deforestation

Aryan civilization 2000 B.C. – 1500 B.C. Nomadic people came to India subcontinent Built no cities and left little behind Vedas – collection of hymns, chants, ritual instructions, and other religious teachings Left behind by Aryans Became sacred teachings

Eventually settled down and were no longer nomads Cultivated crops and bred cattle Led by rajahs, or chiefs, skilled war leader, elected to his position Often fought with other rajahs to gain more territory

Society Ranked according to occupation Top: Brahmins – priests Middle: Kshatriyas – warriors Bottom: Vaisyas – herders, farmers, artisans, merchants Lowest: Sudras: farm workers, servants, laborers

Aryan Religious Beliefs Polytheistic Gods and goddesses embodied natural forces like the sky, sun, storms and fire Indra – top god- god of war Weapon was a thunderbolt Varuna – god of order and creation

Brahmins offered sacrifices of food and drink to the gods If they practiced religion correctly – they could ask the gods for help when they needed it Began to believe in a Brahman – single god Mystics – tried to have direct contact with divine forces

Literature Mahabharata – India’s greatest epic 100,000 verses Tells of Aryan battles to win territory Ramayana – tells of fantastic deeds of the hero Rama and his wife Sita Read passage from Mahabharata