1. India BCE Ancient Civilizations Home of two Major religions
Buddhism and Hinduism

2. Geographical Impact Shaped like a spade ^ surrounded by water
North mountains- Himalayas and Hindu Kush protection Khyber Pass
Center high plateau- surrounded by lush green coastal areas
River valleys- Indus and Ganges

3. Indus Valley 3000BCE Mohenjo Daro Harappan Punjab- Harappa
another Harappan city p 46
brick walls 40 feet at base
wheat, peas, barley, trade with Sumer
known for aesthetic expression-human
Harappan
Punjab- Harappa
people related to those here today
uncertain about end
1200 BCE flood,land slides, invasion, plague(malaria)?

4. Vedic Period 1500 BCE Ayran invasion- from North
Organized government- rajah tribal leader
Invaders did not intermarry-caste beginning?
Ganges River center
Vedas sacred writing
Laws of Manu p 49

5. Topics for Discussion
Look at the Laws of Manu- Look at Reflection questions p 49
The Buddha p 50 read and discuss reflections
Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path
Impressions and why did it spread p51
Hinduism view of the world- Discuss Try to explain p45

6. Epic Age 900-500BCE Mauryan Age 324 BCE
Epic- mixture of Aryan and Harappan
326 BCE Alexander the Great- “Greek Meteor”
324- Chandranggupta Mauyra
change in society
Ashoka- Buddhist Monarch considered greatest ruler

7. Caste System- Social Structure
origin- skin color- invaders did not want to intermarry
1.Brahmin- priestly
2. Kshatrija- warrior
3. Vaishya- commoners-traders, merchants
1-3 could be twice born
4. shudra, bulk of population- limited rights
5. pariah, “untouchables” slaves- outcasts had to live separately, could be butchers, morticians,
jati- clan, family help each other

8. Daily Life Everyone aware of caste Early on some movement, not later
Patriarchal (exception, along coast)
Oldest male had the power and the education
Hindu code- treat women with respect
pp. 55 and 56 clue to relationships

9. Hindu Religion One of the world’s oldest
Pantheon of gods- ex goddess of wisdom
Upanishads- philosophical background
associated with caste system
belief in reincarnation
asceticism-self sacrifice- “yoga

10. Buddhism Guatama Buddha 563-483
noble- married, saw misery, went in search of truth- 7 years “enlightened”
The Noble Truths- basis of belief for 2500 years
a. truth of pain- birth to death
b. cease pain by ceasing to crave
c. truth leads to Middle Path
No caste system- later monks- ban on worship of deities

11. Ashoka
Began as a conqueror, converted to Buddhism -> non violent
sent out missionaries
build pillars with instructions on how to live
son converted Shi Lanka
considered India’s greatest ruler