1. Ancient Civilizations: India
Maurya & Gupta Empires

2. Geography & Environment

3. The Geography On which continent is India located?
Asia; India is a subcontinent of Asia
Subcontinent: a large landmass smaller than a continent; especially : a major subdivision of a continent <the Indian subcontinent>

4. Wildlife
Ganesa God of removing obstacles. The one of the most prominent gods.
Elephants are an important cultural icon in India. According to Indian mythology, the gods (deva) and the demons (asura) churned the oceans in a search for the elixir of life - 'amrit' (nectar) - so that they would become immortal. As they did so, the 'navratnas' (nine jewels) surfaced, one of which was the elephant.

5. The Geography On which river did the ancient Indians settle?
The Indus & Ganges Rivers

6. EWWWWWW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXmqi7a2eWY
The 3rd/5th most polluted river in the world

7. Early Indian Empires

8. The Mauryan Empire

9. Mauryan Empire
Established in 322 BC by the great Indian military leader, Chandragupta Maurya

11. Mauryan Empire Politically united North India for the first time ever
Created a highly effective government; included tax collection & the enforcement of laws

12. Mauryan Empire
In 269 BC Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, became emperor of the Mauryan Empire

13. Mauryan Empire
After many years of violent conquest, Asoka felt remorseful

14. Mauryan Empire
Converted to Buddhism & ruled by Buddha’s teaching of “peace to all beings”
Spread Buddhism throughout India & other parts of Asia via missionaries

15. Asoka’s Rock Edicts
Laws carved on rock pillars were placed throughout the empire
Stressed concern for other human beings
Ashoka asked people to live with harmony, peace, love and tolerance. He was the first emperor in human history who has taught the lesson of unity , peace, equality and love. Ashoka's aim was not to expand the territories but the welfare of all of his subjects.

16. The Gupta Empire

17. Gupta Empire
After the fall of the Mauryan Empire India experienced 500 years of chaos
Finally in AD 320 a strong leader known as Chandra Gupta rose to power in Northern India

18. Gupta Empire
320 AD to AD
India’s “Golden Age,” or the flourishing of arts & sciences

19. Gupta’s Golden Age Achievements in Mathematics: Principles of algebra
Infinity & Zero
Value of Pi
Arabic numerals  1, 2, 3…

20. Gupta’s Golden Age Achievements in Science: Earth is round
Identified 7 planets
Invented medical instruments, performed operations, set bones, etc.

21. Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta?
Chandragupta Mauryan

22. Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta?
Asoka

23. Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta?
Golden Age

24. Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta?
First to unite Northern India

25. Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta?
Creation of 0 and Arabic Numbers

26. Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta?
Rock Edicts

27. Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta?
Advances in Science

28. The THREE PILLARS of Indian Life

29. 1) The Caste System The Caste System:
System of social hierarchy within India
5 different castes (social classes)

30. Untouchables: Outcasts = outside caste system
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaisyas
Sudras
Priests
Nobles, warriors, royalty
Caste System
Merchants & skilled workers
Servants, peasants, slaves, laborers
Untouchables: Outcasts = outside caste system

31. Caste Purity? Members of higher castes were considered more pure
Untouchables were considered spiritually polluted; ignored by members of other castes

32. Caste Roles Different castes were viewed as being different species
Castes were separated from each other (location, housing, clothing, occupation, etc.)

33. Caste Roles
If you were obedient to the restrictions of your caste, you would be reincarnated into a higher caste

34. 2) Family One was aware of his or her caste from childhood
It was the FAMILY’S responsibility to teach children about caste, as well as their expected duties/behaviors

35. 2) Family Family needs ALWAYS came before individual wishes
Patriarchal society

36. 3) Village Community served as the heart of Indian life
Community needs ALWAYS came before individual wishes

37. 3) Village Different castes lived together in the SAME village
WHY IS THIS SO?

38. Relay