1. India: Geography & 1st Civilizations

2. India’s Geography

3. Geography & 1st Civilizations
Subcontinent: large land mass; part of continent, but separate
Himalayan Mtns.: northern India; highest mtns. In world
Two River Valleys
Ganges: flows from Himalayas to Indian Ocean
Indus: flows into Arabian Sea
D. Deccan plateau below river valleys

4. 1st Civilization
II. Civilization A. 1st in the Indus R. Valley: Harappa or Indus 1. farmers: rice, wheat, barley, peas, cotton 2. no written records, no weapons found in ruins B. Aryans from central Asia 1. herders – became farmers, good warriors a. pepper, ginger, cinnamon, wheat, barley 2. settled Indus river valley, expanded to Deccan Plateau 3. Organized into tribes led by a Raja 4. Brought written language called Sanskrit

5. Societal Organization
III. Caste System A. Caste – social group born into 1. Cannot change 2. determines job, who you marry, people you socialize with B. Four Castes (varnas) 1. Brahmans: priests 2. Kshatriyas: warrior, rulers 3. Vaisyas: common people – farmers/merchants 4. Sudras: unskilled labor/workers, few rights, biggest caste population C. Pariahs do not belong to a caste – “untouchables” collected trash, skinned animals, handled dead bodies IV. Family Life A. Only men are educated or become priests. B. Grandparents, parents, kids live together C. Wealthy families had a guru who taught the boys

6. RelIgion I. Hinduism 3rd largest religion in world
Polytheistic (actually thousands of gods and goddesses)
Gods part of universal spirit called Brahman
Every living being has a soul that wants to unite with Brahman after death
D. Person must pass through many lives (reincarnation) to be united with Brahman –
E. Being a good person gets you good Kharma
1. must fulfill your Dharma or duties of your station in life – farmer, priest, etc.
F. Good Kharma = closer to Brahman in the next life
G. Bad Kharma = further from Brahman in next life

7. Hindu Gods & Goddesses

8. Religion
II. Buddhism A. founded by Siddhartha Gautama 1. born in Nepal to wealthy family 2. saw beggars and sick beyond palace walls – wondered “Why do people suffer and how can their suffering be cured?” 3. Fasted and meditated until he saw a great light and had the answer. 4. Taught his lessons to people about life and the nature of suffering. 5. Became known as Buddha “Enlightened One”

9. Buddhism Continued
B. Buddha believed world was not real – everything is an illusion (trees, grass, poverty, sickness).
C. Buddha says only way to find truth is to give up all desires.
D. By giving up all worldly desires (fame, money) poverty and hunger would vanish.
E. If a person gives up all worldly desires they reach nirvana – a state of wisdom.
Buddha does not accept varna/caste system.

10. Buddah’s 4 noble truths 1. life is full of suffering
2. People suffer because they desire worldly things.
3. End suffering by stopping desire for things.
4. Way to stop desiring things is the eightfold path.
The Story of Buddah

11. Buddhism’s Eightfold path
1. know the Four Noble Truths
2. Give up worldly things/do not harm others
3. Tell the truth, don’t gossip
4. Don’t kill, steal, live uncleanly
5. Do rewarding work
6. Work for good, oppose evil
7. keep senses under control
8. Practice meditation to understand reality

12. Two types of buddhism
Therevada Buddhism – “teachings of elders,” Buddha is not a god.
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos
Mahayana Buddhism – Buddha is a god
Tibet: Theocracy – religious leaders head government
Dalai Lama: headed government
Panchen Lama: headed religion
Both believed to be reincarnation of Buddha

13. India’s first empires I. Mauryan Dynasty
A. Dynasty = series of rulers from same family
B. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya
C. Alexander the Great’s invasion = Indian kingdoms weak
1. Maurya seized opportunity to conquer/unite them
D. Centralized government – capital = Pataliputra
E. Strong communications system, postal service.

14. Mauryan dynasty

15. India’s 1st empires continued
II. Ashoka – ruled Mauryan dynasty from 273 – 232 B.C.
A. Mauryan dynasty’s greatest ruler.
B. Became Buddhist, devoted life to peace
1. Built hospitals (people and animals), roads, and roadside shelters.
2. Sent Buddhist teachers throughout India
3. Built dome-shaped stupas – Buddhist shrines

16. Gupta empire Founded by another man named Chandra Gupta.
Empire was wealthy from trade
Owned gold and silver mines
Guptas were Hindu and built many shrines
Gupta empire was golden age of Indian art and culture.

17. Gupta Dynasty

18. Ancient Indian Culture
I. Songs and literature
A. Vedas: Hymns and prayers for religious ceremonies
B. Epics: Mahabharata & Ramayana
1. Mahabharata: longest poem in any written language
II. Science & Math
A. Arybhata: one of 1st scientists to use algebra
B. Indians developed concept of “zero.”
C. Created symbols for 1 through 9.
D. invented algorithm
E. 1st to come up with idea of atoms
F. Doctors set broken bones and performed surgery