India Identify and compare the rise of early agricultural river valley civilizations in Africa and Asia Describe the historical origins, central beliefs, and spread of major religions Identify and explain the importance of early cultural hearths in Indus River valleys

Section 1 Early Indian Civilizations India’s first civilization the Harappan lasted between BC Indus River Valley

Rivers and Cities Indus River and Sarasvati River Cities rose Harappan and Mohenjo Daro Economy- agriculture- wheat, barley, dates, and vegetables Did Harappan have contact with other cultures? T or F

Harappan Achievements Writing system- but archaeologist have not yet learned how to read it. City planning- Built defense- towering fortress Brick streets Sewers and plumbing Flat rooftops Cities had right angles

Harappan Civilization Ended 1700 BC? Perhaps invaders or natural disasters The Fall

Aryan Migration Came from the Caspian Sea in Central Asia Much of what we know come from religious writings called the Vedas Vedas- collection of poems, hymns, myths, and rituals written by Aryan priest

Aryans continued Did not build big cities Government- no single ruling authority existed Each group or tribe had it’s own leader, often a skilled warrior Rajas- leader who ruled a village and land around it

Language Sanskrit- most important language of ancient India Stories were often memorized and passed down or else forgotten

Section 2 Origins of Hinduism The Varnas- social division in Aryan society. Brahmins- priests Kshatriyas- rulers and warriors Vaisyas- farmers, craftspeople, and traders Sudras- laborers and non-Aryans

Caste System Divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation Sutras- rules or guidelines for the caste system Example: Marriage, eating, consequences if rules were broken

Brahmanism The Aryan practiced religion Rig-Veda- the oldest of the Vedas that contained a collection of hymns of praise to many gods. Complied before 1000 BC Upanishads- reflections on the Vedas written by religious students and teachers. Written about 600 BC

Hinduism Largest religion of India today Brahma- god of creation Siva the destroyer Vishnu- the preserver Reincarnation- souls are born and reborn many times, the process of rebirth Karma- the effects that good and bad actions have on a person soul. Women were restricted to study the Vedas but over time those has been lifted

Jainism Based on teaching by a man named Mahavira Give up life of luxury and live by four principles. Injure no life Tell the truth Do not steal Own no property Nonviolence- the avoidance of violent action

Section 3: Origins of Buddhism Fasting- going without food Meditation- the focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas. Who is Siddhartha Gautama? What did he discover?

Four Noble Truths 1.Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one can escape sorrow. 2. Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods. 3. People can overcome their desires and ignorance. Nirvana- a state of perfect peace 4. Follow eight fold path that leads to wisdom

What does “Buddha” mean? The “Enlightened One” What was Buddha’s philosophy on the caste system? Missionaries- people who work to spread their religious beliefs