Transcript Ancient India

Ancient India
Early Civilizations
• India is a subcontinent whose geography includes
the Himalaya on the north; the Indus, Ganges and
Brahmaputra River valleys and fertile coastlands to
the east and west; and the Deccan Plateau in the
subcontinent’s southern two-thirds.
The Himalaya Mts.
Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra River Valleys
Deccan Plateau
• The main climate feature of India is the
monsoon. Monsoon rains bring water for
crops, but can also cause flooding.
Summer Monsoon (Wet Winds)
The summer monsoons bring heavy wind and
rain to India.
• The first civilization of the Indus Valley was
marked by the large, well-organized cities
of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. The cities
were made of baked brick and laid out in
grid patterns.
Harappa Architecture
The Harappans
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro
• The people of the Indus Valley farmed and made
metal tools, cloth, and jewelry. They built temples,
and they traded with Mesopotamia.
• As the people of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
disappeared, the Aryans migrated as far as the Ganges
River. They established a society based on farming and
trade.
• The Aryan civilization developed writing (Sanskrit),
literature (the Vedas), and the varna social class system
in India.
The Vedas
Sanskrit
India’s Caste System
Religions of Ancient India
• The sacred texts of Hinduism are the Vedas and
the Upanishads, writings of Sanskrit prayers and
ceremonies.
• The basic beliefs of Hinduism include: a single spirit
called Brahman encompasses all living things; the
ultimate goal is union with Brahman; this union is
accomplished by creating good karma (actions) in each
reincarnation of the soul.
• Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a
wealthy prince who left his possessions to find
enlightenment and the end of suffering.
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
• Siddhartha’s teachings, stated in the Four Noble
Truths and the Eightfold Path, include: eliminating
desire will eliminate suffering, and meditation and
giving up material things help bring about
enlightenment.
Theravada Buddhists
Mahayana Buddhists
• There are two divisions of Buddhism. Theravada
Buddhists follow Buddha’s teachings, but do not believe
that he was a god. Mahayana Buddhists believe that
worshipping the Buddha helps them follow the Eightfold
Path.
Mahatma Gandhi
• Jainism was founded by Mahavira, who was called
the Jina. The main belief of the Jains, ahimsa, is that
all life is sacred and that followers must never take
even an insect’s life. Like the Buddhists, they believe
in the elimination of desire.
• The teaching of ahimsa influenced twentieth-century
Indian patriot Mahatma Gandhi to seek freedom
from British rule through peaceful protest.
The Mauryan Empire
• Chandra Gupta Maurya unified northern India
through military might and established the
Mauryan Empire. As a ruler, he was well
organized. He was also harsh, fearing rebellion
and harm to himself.
• Ashoka is considered the greatest Mauryan leader.
Although he began his reign with conquests, he
turned to peaceful rule when he converted to
Buddhism. He worked to improve the lives of his
people. He set up carved pillars around the empire
with advice and sayings meant to inspire peaceful
and respectful living. He also built stupas (shrines)
to encourage Buddhist practice.
Stupa
• Five hundred years after the fall of the Mauryan
Empire, the Indian people were again united under
the Gupta dynasty. Samudra Gupta, son of the first
emperor of the Gupta dynasty, Chandra Gupta, led
the people into a golden age under the Hindu
religion. Religious temples, art, and literature
developed during this time, as did trade. Pilgrims
often traveled to temples and sacred sites.
• Gupta society was quite advanced. Literature in
Sanskrit, including religious texts and epic poems,
was written. Architecture consisted of religious
structures, temples, palaces, shrines, and
monuments. Indian mathematicians invented a
symbol for zero, and they developed the written
number system we still use today. Their system of
astronomy was based on the idea of a round Earth
revolving around the sun. Medical doctors
performed surgery and tried to find the causes of
illnesses.
1. What is a subcontinent?
A. a large landmass with at least two rivers that is
inhabited by people
B. a triangle-shaped landmass
C. a distinct landmass that is surrounded by water
D. a large landmass that is part of a continent, but
distinct from it
1. What is a subcontinent?
D. a large landmass that is part of a continent, but
distinct from it
2. Which statement about the Indus Valley is true?
A. The people there practiced the Hindu religion.
B. It is the location of India's oldest civilization.
C. The Aryans left it to live in the mountains.
D. Life there was very difficult.
2. Which statement about the Indus Valley is true?
B. It is the location of India's oldest civilization.
3. Indian mathematicians figured out something that
modern technology could not do without. What was it?
A. infinity
B. numerals
C. a symbol for zero
D. pi
3. Indian mathematicians figured out something that
modern technology could not do without. What was it?
C. a symbol for zero
The End