History of South Asia Chapters 20 and 21

Religions of South Asia

Hinduism in the Subcontinent

Ancient India (pg 591) Indus River Valley Civilization was the 1 st civilization that we know of in this region. (2500 BC BC around the Indus River (Pakistan) Agrarian, taking advantage of fertile riverbanks. Many small cities developed: Two were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Had well built homes, public buildings, and canals brought water to needed areas. Mystery of why it died out (1 theory was climate change/drought, another by invasion)

Aryans (pg 592) 1700 BC Aryans came from Russia through Hindu Kush (Khyber Pass). They intermarried the IRV people, creating a unique culture. Aryans spoke Sanskrit and were more nomadic than the IRV people. They brought with them new technology, animals, and ideas. Aryans discovered Iron ore in Ganges River plains, thus developed tools to farm. Started settling down! And developed iron weapons. Kept them the dominate culture Mixture of IRV people and Aryan beliefs = Hindu. The Vedas is the holy book of Hindu

Hinduism Hinduism has grown to become the world's third largest religion, after Islam and Christianity. It is the dominant religion in India, Nepal, and among the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Hinduism is generally regarded as the world's oldest organized religion with roots to the Indus Valley Civilization ( BC) Ancient Path Ancient Path

Origins of Hinduism Although Hinduism is considered a polytheistic religion by most, strictly speaking, Hinduism is a henotheistic religion. A henotheistic religion recognizes a single deity (god), but recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets or forms of the supreme god. (The god is reincarnated into other gods) Hindus believe in reincarnation. This is the transfer of one's soul after death into another body. This produces a continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth through their many lifetimes. Nirvana is Hindu “heaven” where you live in eternal peace and don’t have to be reincarnated. You get there by living a perfect life on earth.

Hindu Beliefs Karma is the sum of ones good and bad deeds. Karma determines how you will live your next life. Through pure acts, thoughts and devotion, one can be reborn at a higher level. Eventually, one can achieve “enlightenment.” Bad deeds can cause a person to be reborn as a lower level, or even as an animal. The unequal distribution of wealth, power, and suffering are seen as the result of one's previous acts, both in this life and in previous lives. People are born into a Caste (social class) and it determines job, marriage, and friends. Belief that people are NOT equal. Video intro Video intro

The Caste System Video

The Caste System Brahmins (the priests and academics) Kshatriyas (rulers, military) Vaishyas (farmers, landlords, and merchants) Sudras (peasants, servants, and workers in non-polluting jobs). The outcasts who did not belong to one of the castes. They worked in what are considered polluting jobs. They were untouchable by the four castes, and so they were simply called the Untouchables. Now this former caste is called Dalit.

The Ganges River and Hinduism The Ganges River is considered sacred. It is believed that dipping in the Ganges will wash away one’s sins, and throwing one’s ashes in the Ganges after death may improve one’s next life. Devout Hindus make pilgrimages to bathe in the Ganges and to meditate on its banks. Video Link

Maurya Dynasty Maurya empire (1 st empire BC) Emperor Ashoka unified the gov’t. Built a palace of stone and religious Hindu monuments. (video)(video) Ashoka expanded his empire across the sub- continent. He was horrified at the death he saw. He then vowed it would be his last war- converted to Buddhism and promoted peace. Principals for a just government and how to live a morale life were carved in stone across empire. He urged people to learn about other religions to learn tolerance for others. He encouraged loyalty, self control, kindness, etc.

Gupta Dynasty AD (pg 595) Most Gupta rulers were Hindu, but both Hindu and Buddhism was practiced. Created sculptures and paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses that you see today and built Buddhist temples. Sanskrit became dominate language Developed concept of 0 and the numbers we use today (Europeans called it Arabic). 1,2,3, were first written by the Gupta dynasty.

India as Crossroads India became the halfway point of trade between Europeans, Middle East traders, Chinese, and SE Asians. Traded spices, silks, etc. Hindu and Buddhism spread out of India, Islam spread into India via Muslim traders. CULTURAL DIFFUSION! Also, people fleeing Mongol invasions in China crossed Himalayans and settled in India. CULTURAL DIFFUSION!! (Mongols never invaded due to Himalayas.)

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