Ancient Civilizations: China and India

The Indus River Valley/ Harappa Located in ancient IndiaLocated in ancient India People were the HarappansPeople were the Harappans Not much is known about themNot much is known about them We cannot decipher the writing they left behindWe cannot decipher the writing they left behind

Mohenjo Daro and Harappa Mohenjo Daro and Harappa were the major cities Mohenjo Daro and Harappa were the major cities –Indoor plumbing, bathrooms, underground sewage Aryans Aryans –From north –religious beliefs blend with the Indus cities to form the basis for the Hindu religion –Brought Vedas and Sanskrit language

Caste System Brought a system of classes called “Vedas”, basis for the caste system

More History Maurya Empire (321 – 184 BCE) –First great Indian empire –Drove out the last of the Greeks (Alexander the Great)

Ashoka Maurya – great warrior – conquered ⅔ of India –eventually decided that peace was better way of life and converted to Buddhism

Gupta Empire Restored law and order “Golden Age” of prosperity, literature, art, math, science; India became a center of learning

The Huang He /China Huang He; “Yellow River”Huang He; “Yellow River” –gets its name from the yellow soil of the region: loess –Population center of China The Huang He was the most isolated of the early civilizationsThe Huang He was the most isolated of the early civilizations WHY?WHY? China has the longest continuous civilization in the worldChina has the longest continuous civilization in the world

Chinese Dynasties (ruling families) Shang Dynasty is first to unite China Shang Dynasty is first to unite China –And WRITE about it Zhou Dynasty Zhou Dynasty –During the Zhou Dynasty- war among rivals…BUT also economic growth TRADETRADE Chinese Philosphers Chinese Philosphers –Confuscious alive during the Zhou Dynasty Not well known until much laterNot well known until much later China no longer united China no longer united –Dynastic Cycle

Qin Dynasty Eventually China is united under the warlike Qin Dynasty 221BC –This empire gives China its name reorganized the governmentreorganized the government Standardized money, weights & measuresStandardized money, weights & measures Burnt books containing different ideasBurnt books containing different ideas Began The Great Wall of China to keep out hostile neighbors to the north ( BC)Began The Great Wall of China to keep out hostile neighbors to the north ( BC) Built extensive roads and canalsBuilt extensive roads and canals Major achievements: Major achievements: –Gunpowder –Moveable type and paper

“ A common man marvels at uncommon things; a wise man marvels at the commonplace.” - ConfuciusConfucius