Transcript Theme: Geography

Theme: Geography
I.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Settled by the Indus River
Like Egypt & Mesopotamia
Flooded, provided silt
Fertile soil for farming
Irrigation of crops
Provided for division of labor and civilization
II. Provided Natural Barriers (protection from invaders)
A.
Subcontinent
B.
Himilayas & Hindu Kush Mountains
III. Climate
A. Hot & humid
B. Monsoons
2R
Theme: Economics
I.
3R
Trading
A. Iron tools & weapons were valuable trade items
B. Traded with Mesopotamia
C. Silk Road – linked civilizations from China (East) to Rome (West)
Theme: Politics
I.
Harappans
A.
2300-1700 B.C.
B.
Central government like Egypt
II. Aryans
A. No central ruler/government
B. Raja – leader who ruled a village & the land around it
III. Mauryan Empire
A. 320 – 185 B.C.
B. Chandragupta Maurya founded empire
4R
Theme: Politics
IV.
Asoka
A. Strongest ruler in 270 B.C.
B. converted to Buddhism
C. Swore not to fight more wars
D. Similar to Buddha – against violence
E. Spread Buddhism
1. Missionaries through Asia
2. Columns “billboards” of Buddhism
V.
Gupta Dynasty
A. A.D. 320 – 500’s
B. Chandragupta I – first emperor, N. India under control
C. Chandragupta II – expanded empire, height of power
Theme: Religion
I.
Brahmanism
A. 4 Vedas – religious writings
B. Brahmins – priests
II.
Hinduism – largest religion in India
A. Polytheism
B. Each god is part of a single universal spirit, Brahman
C. Atman – soul
D. reincarnation – rebirth
E. karma – effects of + and – actions
F. dharma – duties of caste
5R
Theme: Religion
III.
Buddhism
A. Siddhartha Gautama – prince
B. Went on quest for answers about human life
C. Found enlightenment
D. Became known as the Buddha
1. understood human suffering
2. wanted to eliminate suffering
E. Created guiding principals to live by & avoid human suffering
1. Four Noble Truths
2. The Eightfold Path
F. Buddhism spread via missionaries & the Silk Road (trade route)
5R
6R
Theme: Society & Culture
I.
Harappan Civilization
A. First advanced civilization along Indus River
B. 2300 – 1700 B.C.
C. Archaeologists unable to decipher writing
II.
Aryans
A. 1200 B.C. – Indus Valley
B. Wrote history in Vedas
C. Nomads
D. Small communities
E. Wrote records in Sanskrit
6R
Theme: Society & Culture
III.
The Varnas – Social Divisions (4 main levels)
A. Brahmins – priests
B. Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors
C. Vaisyas – farmers, craftspeople, traders
D. Sudras – laborers, non-Aryans, servants
IV.
The Caste System
A. Groupings within varnas based on a person’s birth, wealth, or
occupation (job)
B. Determined place in society
C. Untouchables – outcasts of society
D. Sutras – lists rules of caste system
E. Most important – must follow the rules of your caste
7R
Theme: Science & Technology
I.
Harappan Advancements
A. Public wells
B. Indoor plumbing
C. made pottery, jewelry, ivory objects, cotton clothing
D. System of weights & measures
E. India’s first writing system (not deciphered yet!!)
II.
Aryan Advancements
A. Sanskrit language
B. Poems & hymns
7R
Theme: Science & Technology
III.
Religious Art
A. Hindu & Buddhist temples
B. Paintings show religious beliefs, daily life, ceremonies
C. Statues
IV.
Sanskrit Literature
A. Mahabharata & Ramayana
1. Bhagavad Gita – famous section
V.
Scientific Advances – things we use daily
A. Metallurgy
B. Hindu-Arabic numerals
C. Inoculations
D. Astronomy
1. Could predict solar/lunar eclipses