Transcript Chapter 3 Notes

Chapter 3 Notes
Ancient India
2. Aryans (2500BC – 322BC)
Group of nomadic tribes who had originally
inhabited Central Asia
Tall, fair haired, with clear cut features,
they settled in Punjab, in the Indus Valley
River region.
Fought with the original people of Indus
Valley Civilization, who were dark skin and
known as Dasyus or Dravidians
The superiority of the Aryans resulted in
the Dravidian submission and retirement to
the south.
The Aryan society was very
well organized, ruled by a
monarch.
Practiced the four Vedas
Caste system was introduced
and practiced, based on
one’s profession:
Brahmins: Priests, teachers,
intellectuals
Khsatriyas: Warriors, soldiers
Vashya: Traders, merchants,
peasants
Shudras: People in service of
others
Varna (Social
Hierarchy)
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables
Vedic Philosophy
The Vedas are the oldest written text on our planet today.
They date back to the beginning of Indian civilization and
are the earliest literary records of the human mind.
They have been passed through oral tradition for over
10,000 years, and first appeared
in written form between 2500 - 5,000 years ago.
Veda means “Knowledge” in Sanskrit.
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The Trinity
Creator
Preserver
Destroyer
Brahman
Vishnu
Shiva
Mauryan Dynasty
• Chandragupta Maurya
• Organizes to fight invasion
by Alexander (325 BCE).
Characterized by:
Large armies ( thousands of
elephants, chariots, etc.)
Bureaucracy
Autocracy ( marked by strong
military and government
control)
Ashoka
• Grandson of
Chandragupta
• Led lavish lifestyle
• Extended Mauryan
conquests
• Bloodthirsty and Brutal
….but then….
• Converted to Buddhism
• Urged humane behavior
• Helped progress by
investing in roads for
trade, technology, etc.
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Quest for Answers
Enlightenment
• Siddhartha was born a
prince, but he questioned
the meaning of life.
• Found it under the Tree of
Wisdom while meditating
• Determined to find
answers using:
• Meditation
• Fasting
• Learning from
different teachers
• Called the Buddha
(Enlightened One)
• Spent the rest of his life
traveling and teaching his
ideas
Around 320 A.D.,
another great
Indian empire
emerged. It
was known as
the Gupta
empire.
E. Napp
The Gupta Empire
• The rulers of the Gupta empire encouraged
peace, prosperity, and trade.
• The Gupta empire is considered a golden age
of Hindu culture.
• A golden age is a time of peace, prosperity,
and great achievements.
E. Napp
500 healing
plants identified
1000 diseases
classified
Printed
medicinal guides
Plastic
Surgery
Gupta
Achievement
s
Kalidasa
Literature
Medicine
Inoculations
Gupta
India
C-sections
performed
Decimal
System
Mathematics
Concept
of Zero
PI = 3.1416
Solar
Calendar
Astronomy
The earth
is round
1 Billion people, 1 Billion Deities !
Lakshmi
Buddha
Krsna
Christ
Devi
Saraswati
Murugan
Nanak
Rama
Ganesha
Sights of India
Mount Kailas, Himalayas
“abode of snow” – in Sanskrit
“Gods blessed region”, Kerala
Western Thar Desert, Rajasthan
The Beauty of Kashmir
Varanasi, Ganges River