1. Ancient India

2. Geography and Early India
Geography of India
Civilization developed on the Indian Subcontinent
A Subcontinent is part of a continent that is separated from the rest of the continent by a barrier (Himalayas)
The land of India has vast deserts, rugged plateaus, and fertile plains
Major rivers, like the Indus and Ganges, provide fertile silt
The climate is hot and humid and is influenced by monsoons (winds)

3. Geography and Early India
Harappan Civilization
This civilization developed around in the Indus River Valley
We’ve learned a lot about this civilization from excavating the city of Mohenjo-Daro
They were very advanced
Had indoor plumbing
Had a system of weights and measures
Developed India’s first writing system
Cared about physical appearance
Played games
Civilization ended mysteriously

4. Geography and Early India
Aryan Migration
After Harappan civilization ended, the Aryans migrated to India
They came through the Khyber Pass
We know a lot about the Aryans from the Vedas
Religious writings that formed the foundation of Hinduism
They lived in small villages with leaders called rajas
They wrote/spoke sanskrit

5. Origins of Hinduism Indian Society Divides
The Aryans had a system of dividing society into groups (caste system)
Was based on birth, wealth, and jobs
There were four main groups
One other group was called The Untouchables
They weren’t allowed in the caste system
People were required to follow the rules, or sutras, of their caste
If a person broke a rule, they became an untouchable

6. Origins of Hinduism Brahmanism
Because the priests were called Brahmins, early Hinduism is called Brahmanism
The religious beliefs were based on the Vedas
Includes sacred hymns and poems
Included guides to religious rituals

7. Origins of Hinduism Hinduism Develops
Overtime, the beliefs of the people blended to form Hinduism
The largest religion in India today
They have many important beliefs
Believe in many gods (polytheistic)
Have a single universal spirit called Brahman
Believe in Reincarnation
Karma determines what happens to a person’s soul

8. Origins of Hinduism Groups React to Hinduism Jainism Sikhism
Based on teachings of Mahavira
Followed four basic principals
Practiced nonviolence
Therefore are vegetarians
Sikhism
Based on teachings of Guru Nanak
Blended Hindu and Islamic beliefs
Believed in only one God
Like Muslims, they pray five times a day
Are expected to wear five items at all times

9. Origins of Buddhism Siddhartha’s Search for Wisdom
Was a sheltered prince who was supposed to be king
He traveled around outside the palace he saw people in pain, who were sick, and were dying
He gave up all his wealth and become a monk

10. Origins of Buddhism He spent his days fasting and meditating
He wanted to understand why life was filled with suffering
After meditating for 7 weeks, Siddhartha discovered the answer to why people suffer
Earned the nickname Buddha
Which means Enlightened One

11. Origins of Buddhism Teachings of Buddhism Four Noble Truths
Life is filled with suffering
People suffer because they want things
To stop suffering, people should stop wanting things
To stop wanting things, people should follow the Eightfold Path

12. Origins of Buddhism Teachings of Buddhism Eightfold Path
Was the right way to live life
The Middle Way
Was a way of living that was not too hard nor too easy
Was opposed to the caste system
Wanted people to achieve Nirvana
Perfect state of peace

13. Origins of Buddhism Buddhism Spreads
After Buddha’s death, his teachings spread throughout all of India
A powerful king, Asoka, became Buddhist and worked to spread Buddhism
He sent missionaries to spread the religion
Buddhism spread to Central Asia and East Asia
Overtime, different two branches of Buddhism formed
Theravada and Mahayana

14. Indian Empires Mauryan Empire Unifies India
After Candragupta Maurya united northern India, he started the Mauryan Empire
It had a complex government with a huge network of spies and over 600,000 soldiers
Collected huge taxes from farmers
Asoka became king after his grandfather
He converted to Buddhism and helped the religion grow
He worked to improve life in India
After his death, the empire ended

15. Indian Empires Gupta Rulers Promote Hinduism
After the Mauryan Empire ended, the Gupta dynasty took over
Indian civilization flourished under Gupta rule
The Gupta rulers were Hindu and so Hinduism became the main religion in India
They also supported other religious beliefs
The rulers made the caste system an even greater part of life

16. Indian Achievements Religious Art/Sanskrit Literature
During the Mauryan and Gupta periods, the Indians created great works of art
Both Buddhists and Hindus built great temples
Include some of the finest paintings and statues of ancient India
Two of the most famous epics (stories) were written during this time
Mahabharata and Ramayana

17. Indian Achievements Scientific Advances
Indian scholars where known for their many advancements
They were the first experts of metallurgy
They were able to mix metals to make alloys
They developed a numeral system
They were the first to use zero
Doctors developed medical textbooks and learned how to prevent disease by inoculation
In astronomy, they had identified 7 planets, knew the sun was a star, and knew Earth rotated

18. Study Guide for Chapter 6
Know the geography of the Indus River Valley (mountains, seas, and rivers)
Know about Harappan Civilization
Know how both religions were started
Know key terms (vedas, dharma, Karma)
Understand the major beliefs of both religions
Study notes!