1. Ancient India
Chapter 6

2. The Geography of India
Subcontinent- A large landmass that is slightly smaller then a continent.
Separated from Asia by the Himalayan Mountains
Plains lie at the foot of the mountains.
3 main rivers Indus River, Ganges River, and Brahmutra River

3. The Geography of India
Rivers provide Transportation, Farming, and Trade
West and East Coast are very fertile land followed by inland a mountain range that opens to a large Plateau (DECCAN PLATEAU)
Climate is based on the Monsoon Season
Winter- Dry and cold
Summer- Warm, wet air and rain

4. The Indus River Valley
The cradle of Ancient India. 5,000 years ago along the Indus River in today western Pakistan.
Soil was very rich and allowed crops to grow. (Barley, Wheat, and Beans)
With plenty of food many people became
craftsmen and constructed housing.

5. The Indus River Valley Cities Mohenjo-Daro Harappa
Each city had at least 35,000 people and dozen of paved streets.
Most people lived by farming in the surrounding areas.
Temples and places reside in a fortress.

6. Aryan Migration and Settlement
Decline of the Indus Valley several possible causes
Drought lasting 100’s of years
Earthquake and Floods
Starvation.
Aryans are not a race or ethnic group they are a language group from Central Asia
They raised Cattle for meat, milk, and butter

7. Aryan Migration and Settlement
Aryan’s are nomads that did not settle
Experts In horse back riding, Fierce warriors, and hunters
From 1500 BC to 100 BC Aryans moved throughout India overtime they mixed with Indus river valley decedents creating a whole new culture

8. Aryan Migration and Settlement
Eventually settled into one place and became farmers
Overtime they built irrigation systems and iron tools.
Gradually turned the Ganges River valley into farmland.
North Grew- All kinds of grains
South Grew- Cotton, Vegetables, Cinnamon, and Ginger

9. Aryan Migration and Settlement
Aryans lived in tribes
Each tribe is lead by a Raja (Leader/Prince)
Created a small Kingdom
Fought with other Kingdoms over Cattle, Treasures, and land

10. Written Language Sanskrit- Written language of the Indian people
Recorded sales, trades, and land ownership.
Over time hymns poems were written into the VEDAS- record of sacred text.

11. Indian Social System 4 total social classes called Varnas Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaisyas
Sudras
Untouchables (Pariah)
Each social class was divided into thousands of smaller classes known as Jati. Which has its own dictation over marriage, diet, and social customs.

13. Family in Ancient India
Was the center of Life
Extended family lived together this included grandparents, parents, and children.
Parents arranged all marriages and most children married in their teens.
NO DIVORCES
Eldest man in the family was the head of the household.

14. Religions in Ancient India (Hinduism)
Hinduism- Oldest Religion in the World
3rd Largest Religion in the world
Basic Concept- Every living thing has a soul that is part of Brahman (Universal Spirt)

15. Religions in Ancient India (Hinduism)
Major Beliefs
Reincarnation- Rebirth of a Soul
Reincarnation and Karma are connected by a persons Dharma or personal duty.
Major Deities
Brahma- Creator
Vishnu- The Preserver
Shiva – The Destroyer

16. Religions in Ancient India (Buddhism)
500’s People wanted a more spiritual and peaceful faith
Main way to achieve peaceful and spiritual peace is through Meditation
Main Teacher- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Major world religion
Most people who practice Buddhism live in Southwest Asia

17. Religions in Ancient India (Buddhism)
Buddha’s Basic Teaching
The world’s spirt was more important everyday spirt.
Only reason that people suffers in life is they care to much about the wrong thing (fame, money, personal)
4 Noble Truths
8 Fold Path

18. Religions in Ancient India (Buddhism)
Buddhism welcomes people from all walks of life
Buddha explained that the success of life depends on peoples behaviors now
Belief in Reincarnation which is reached by following the 8 fold path

19. Religions in Ancient India (Buddhism)
2 Main Groups in Buddhism today
Theravada Buddhism- Believes Buddha was a teacher not god
Mahayana Buddhism- Believes Buddha was god

20. The Mauryan Empire By 500Bc India was made up of small kingdoms
During this time the Persians came in and conquered India.
Alexander the Great conquered the Persians and left India in 325BC
Gupta Maurya –took power and grew a very strong army
Creating the Mauryan Dynasty

21. The Mauryan Empire Chandra Gupta ruler after Maurya”s Death
Very strong ruler
Skilled administrator
Created a well runner government
Effective postal system
Powerful army
Succeeded by grandson Ashoka

22. The Mauryan Empire Ashoka ruled at the height of the Empire
Was a Fierce warrior but hated killing
Decided to practice Buddhism and made it the official empire religion.
Improved the life of all of his people
Built more than 1,000 Buddhist Stupa of temples.

23. The Mauryan Empire THE FALL OF THE EMPIRE
After Ashoka died many weak rulers came to power causing the empire to decline
Indian’s rebelled in 183 BC against the government due to high taxes and the taking of land from peasants.

24. Ancient India’s Culture and Advancements
Literature
The Mahabharata – Ancient religious epic
Best known section is the Bhagavad Gita (Song of the Lord)
The Ramayana- The story of the perfect king

25. Ancient India’s Culture and Advancements
MATH
Algebra was used by Aryabhata
Infinite Numbers discovered
Number zero discovered

26. Ancient India’s Culture and Advancements
Science
Astronomy- Mapped the movement of the stars and the planets.
Metalworking with Iron

27. Ancient India’s Culture and Advancements
Medicine
Dental Surgery
Setting Broken Bones
Sewing wounds
Preforming advance Surgery