1. Ancient Indian Civilizations
2500 B.C. – 500 A.D.

3. Indus River Valley Civilizations
Geography
Surrounded by Ocean on three sides
The Himalayan Mountains provide protection from the north
Indus and Ganges Rivers lie south of the northern mountains
The Deccan Plateau makes up most of the country
Early inhabitants were sea traders

4. Indus River Valley Civilizations
Climate
Monsoons & high temperatures
Monsoons are winds that signal a change in seasons
November – March = little rain
Mid June – October = wet season

5. Indus River Valley Civilizations
Early Civilizations
1st great civ. was from 2500 BC – 1500 BC
Two main cities were Mohenjo Daro & Harappa
Large
Water system
Public Bath
Sewer
Strong central fortress – Citadel
Store houses for grain

6. Indus River Civilizations

7. Indus River Valley Civilizations
Farmlands surrounded the cities
Also raised cattle
City dwellers were involved making or trading goods
Believed in a great god, symbolized through animals and nature
Disappeared due to a natural disaster
Great flood or earthquake

10. Indo – Aryan Migrants Nomadic Indo – Aryans Sheep and cattle herders
Skilled warriors
Most of what we know came from the Vedas
Vedas are ancient religious records and stories
Told from generation to generation
Written in Sanskrit by scholars

11. Indo – Aryan Migrants Indo – Aryan Religion
Early gods were based on elements of nature, such as:
Earth
Fire
Water
Shiva – the destroyer

12. Indo – Aryan Migrants Brahmans were the ancient priests
As time went on ceremonies became more complicated

13. Indo – Aryan Migrants Early Indo-Aryan Society
Built civilizations at the end of the Neolithic Age
Governed by a raja
These people had lighter skin
Developed a social structure with priests and warriors at the top
Arranged marriages were common

14. Indo – Aryan Migrants Indo – Aryan Economy Grew
Wheat
Barley
Rice
Sugar cane
Vegetables
Language was an early form of Sanskrit

15. Indo – Aryan Migrants Southern India
Protected from invasions by mountains
Some hunted, gathered, fished, or farmed
Some traded, which made them wealthy and led to cultural diffusion

16. Hinduism and Buddhism Upanishads and the Epics
Some began to question the authority of the Brahmans
Collection of writings was called the Upanishads
Eventually combined into two epics (poems)
Mahabharata and Ramayana

17. Hinduism and Buddhism Caste System Developed
Complex form of social hierarchy
Five varnas (classes)
Rulers and Warriors
Brahman priests
Merchants, traders, farmers
Peasants
Pariahs/Untouchables

18. Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism
Believed in Monism- the unity of God and Creation
Hindu Beliefs
The world we see is an illusion or maya
It can take many lifetimes to reject maya
Believe in reincarnation
Dharma is the duty of people to be good
Karma is the force created by good and bad actions
Nirvana is when the soul reaches peace and connects with Brahma
Polytheistic

19. Hinduism and Buddhism Hindu Religious Practices Yoga
See many animals as sacred, especially cows

20. Hinduism and Buddhism Buddhism Buddha’s Teachings
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
Wealthy Hindu prince who sought the meaning of life
Became known as Buddha – Enlightened One
Buddha’s Teachings
Accepted some Hindu ideas
Taught Four Noble truths and the eight-fold path
Denied the importance of the Hindu caste system
Very appealing to the poor and untouchables

21. Hinduism and Buddhism The Four Noble Truths 1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. It is possible to end suffering.
4. The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.
Padma - Symbol of Purity. Can be of any color except blue.

22. Hinduism and Buddhism 8 Fold Path Right Views Right Intentions
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Living
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
The wheel of the law. The eight spokes represent the eightfold path.

23. Hinduism and Buddhism Spread of Buddhism
Buddha himself only had a few followers
Split into two sects
Theravada (Southeast Asia)
Buddha was great teacher and leader
Mahayana (East Asia)
Buddha was God and Savior

24. Ancient Indian Dynasties and Empires
Mauryan Dynasty
King Bimbisara of Magadha began to unify India
Helped to fight off invaders from Persia
Chandragupta Maurya
Started Mauryan Dynasty
Controlled most of India
Developed mining and weaving towns
Standardized weights throughout kingdom
Established physician qualifications
He slept in a different room each night, fearful of assassination attempts

26. Ancient Indian Dynasties and Empires
Mauryan Dynasty
Asoka
Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya
Extended control of empire to all of India except southern tip
Spread Buddhism with missionaries
Revised laws
Advanced India culturally and politically
After his death the empire would slowly decline

27. Ancient Indian Dynasties and Empires
The Gupta Rulers
New dynasty lead to rise of Hinduism and decline of Buddhism
Gupta family came to power
Expanded territory
Conquest
Intermarriage
Society prospered under their rule
Gave more power to local leaders

28. Ancient Indian Life and Culture
Economy and Society
Most economy came through trade
Sold:
Wool, Cotton, Spices, Silk, Precious gems, Ivory
Women did not have the same rights as men
Obey fathers
Obey husbands
If husband died, obey sons
Sometimes they would throw themselves on the burning funeral pyre of their husbands
Called Suttee
Polygamy was practiced

29. Ancient Indian Life and Culture
Cultural Achievements
Art and Architecture
Early Buddhist art show Greek and Roman influence
Growth of Hinduism brought about growth of temples
Education
Very advanced
University of Nalanda – center of higher learning during Gupta era
First people to use algebra and solve quadratic equations
Also came up with concept of innoculation
Infecting a person with disease to build up immune system