“SUBCONTINENT”; Mountains separate India from rest of Asia Mountain Ranges: HIMALAYAS, HINDU KUSH Rivers: 1. INDUS – early civilization started here 2. GANGES – Hindu holy river “healing” powers DECCAN Plateau – rich in natural resources

SEASONAL winds Dominate India’s CLIMATE

Summer Monsoons – June to October – 90% of India’s rainfall occurs during these months Summer Monsoons blow from East to South west carrying moisture from the INDIAN Ocean Can be a BLESSING: bring water for crops Can be a CURSE: drought from weak monsoons or flooding if monsoons are intense

Founder – CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (ruled from 321 B.C B.C.) UNITED India – organized gov’t/strong army

Mauryan’s Greatest Ruler – Chandragupta’s GRANDSON Becomes BUDDHIST – seeks peace and harmony Spread Buddhism but preached Religious TOLERATION {Allowed other religions to be practiced}

Huge STONE PILLARS – throughout the empire – inscribed with BUDDHIST teachings 19 Still Survive in Today – 40/50 feet high

Promoted PEACE and NONVIOLENCE Made TRAVEL EASIER – built extensive ROADS After his death in 232 B.C. Mauryan Empire began to DECLINE

Founder – CHANDRA GUPTA I (no relation to Maurya) Period of PEACE & PROSPERITY in India Importance of HINDUISM

Strong Belief in REINCARNATION Top Caste – PRIESTS / Religious Leaders Bottom Caste – UNTOUCHABLES – outcasts of society Indian families were PATRIARCHAL (male dominated)

DETERMINED: WHERE YOU LIVED WHAT TYPE OF CLOTHING YOU WORE WHAT TYPE OF JOB YOU HAD WHO YOU MARRIED WHAT YOU ATE

During the rule of Chandra Gupta II (grandson of founder) Inventions/Discoveries in: MATH – concept of ZERO decimal system, modern numerals SCIENCE – ASTRONOMY, viewed solar eclipse MEDICINE – surgeries, invented instruments, medical guides, early SMALLPOX vaccination, used herbs to treat illness ARCHITECTURE – building of Buddhist STUPAS and Hindu Temples

Reasons: WEAK rulers and FOREIGN invasions After Chandra Gupta II died - new INVADERS threatened India Over the next 100 years - Gupta Empire broke into small kingdoms Many were overrun by the Huns or other NOMADS Empire ended about 535

Mughals were MUSLIMS – descendents from Genghis Khan’s MONGOLS Founder – Brilliant MILITARY General: BABUR

Under Rule of AKBAR (Babur’s Grandson) CULTURAL/ECONOMIC Progress RELIGIOUS HARMONY – Akbar was MUSLIM but allowed HINDUS to practice & work in government

MUGHALS 5 th Ruler – Akbar’s Grandson ruled Hired best ARCHITECTS in the world Built TAJ MAHAL – monument to his wife (died-giving birth) recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India” TAJ MAHAL has been called most beautiful building in the world Finest example of Mughal architecture-style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, Indian styles

Religious Struggles between MUSLIMS/HINDUS Persecution of HINDUS – high taxes, no role in government, schools closed, monuments destroyed, strict Islamic Law implemented GREAT BRITAIN become interested in India…