INDIAINDIA

G – GEOGRAPHYG – GEOGRAPHYSubcontinentSubcontinent – large landmass that is smaller than a continent.– large landmass that is smaller than a continent. Himalayas MountainsHimalayas Mountains – Northern Border separating – Northern Border separating

India from the Rest of AsiaIndia from the Rest of Asia Mt. EverestMt. Everest – highest peak of the Himalayas at 29,000 – highest peak of the Himalayas at 29,000

ft. ft. Fertile plains at foot of Himalayas. This is due to 3 Fertile plains at foot of Himalayas. This is due to 3

main Rivers main Rivers Indus, Ganges, and BhramaputaIndus, Ganges, and Bhramaputa The Himalayan Mtn. kept India geographically isolatedThe Himalayan Mtn. kept India geographically isolated

**Why were these rivers important?**Why were these rivers important?India’s people relied on these rivers for farming, transportation and India’s people relied on these rivers for farming, transportation and

trade.trade.

Southern 2/3 of India is part of the Southern 2/3 of India is part of the Deccan PlateauDeccan PlateauPlateau Plateau an area of relatively level high groundan area of relatively level high ground

R – RELIGIONR – RELIGION HINDUISMHINDUISM

One of the world’s oldest religions (3One of the world’s oldest religions (3rdrd largest religion in the world) largest religion in the world)

Developed from the faith of the Aryans – over time the Aryan faith Developed from the faith of the Aryans – over time the Aryan faith changed/blended with the ideas of other people of India. (eventually changed/blended with the ideas of other people of India. (eventually became Hinduism)became Hinduism)

Vedas Vedas – sacred text (Holy Book)– sacred text (Holy Book)

Polythesistic (many gods)Polythesistic (many gods) *(Brahma the creator; Shiva the Destroyer; *(Brahma the creator; Shiva the Destroyer; Vishnu the Preserver)Vishnu the Preserver)

KarmaKarma – your status is based on what you did in your pass life – your status is based on what you did in your pass life DharmaDharma – you must follow your personal duty – you must follow your personal duty

Strictly followed the Caste System (see Social Structure)Strictly followed the Caste System (see Social Structure)

Belief in Belief in reincarnationreincarnation – rebirth of the soul (into a new body) – rebirth of the soul (into a new body)

The 4 Vedas

Religion (CONT’D)Religion (CONT’D) BUDDHISMBUDDHISM

No God; No Holy BookNo God; No Holy Book

Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

Wealthy Prince who left all wealth behind Wealthy Prince who left all wealth behind To search for the meaning of life. To search for the meaning of life. Founder of Buddhism. He came to the Founder of Buddhism. He came to the realize the 4 Noble Truthsrealize the 4 Noble Truths

4 Noble Truths4 Noble Truths 1. Life is full of suffering1. Life is full of suffering 2. People suffer because they desire worldly things2. People suffer because they desire worldly things 3. The way to end suffering is to stop desiring things3. The way to end suffering is to stop desiring things 4. They only way to stop desire is to follow the 8 Fold Path4. They only way to stop desire is to follow the 8 Fold Path

When people are finally free from all earthly desire they reach full When people are finally free from all earthly desire they reach full Nirvana (perfect peace and happiness)Nirvana (perfect peace and happiness)

People’s place in life didn’t depend on the Varna (social class) they People’s place in life didn’t depend on the Varna (social class) they were born into. were born into.

Like Hindus, Buddhist believed in Reincarnation. Their cycle would Like Hindus, Buddhist believed in Reincarnation. Their cycle would end when they have reached pure enlightenment.end when they have reached pure enlightenment.

Religion cont’dReligion cont’d 8 Fold Path8 Fold Path

The way to reach true The way to reach true enlightenment is to follow the 8 enlightenment is to follow the 8 Fold Path.Fold Path.

Know and understand the 4 Noble Know and understand the 4 Noble TruthsTruths

Give up worldly things and do not Give up worldly things and do not harm othersharm others

Tell the truth, and do not gossip Tell the truth, and do not gossip and do not speak badly of others, and do not speak badly of others, stealing, or living an unclean life.stealing, or living an unclean life.

Do rewarding workDo rewarding work Work for good, and oppose peopleWork for good, and oppose people Make sure your mind keeps your Make sure your mind keeps your

senses under controlsenses under control Practice Meditation to see the Practice Meditation to see the

world in a new way.world in a new way.

AchievementsAchievements Literature Literature

3 Main Epics 3 Main Epics MahabharataMahabharata – describes a struggle for control of an Indian – describes a struggle for control of an Indian

Empire 1100 B.C.Empire 1100 B.C. Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita – best known section of The Mahabarata, A – best known section of The Mahabarata, A

Prince and Krishna go together into battle.Prince and Krishna go together into battle. The RamayanaThe Ramayana – Over 25,000 verses, of a Prince Rama, and his – Over 25,000 verses, of a Prince Rama, and his

wife, Sita who is kidnapped. wife, Sita who is kidnapped.

MathematicsMathematics Concept of infinityConcept of infinity AlgebraAlgebra Number 0Number 0 Hindu-Arabic number systemHindu-Arabic number system

ScienceScience Mapped movement of planets and starsMapped movement of planets and stars Made advances in metalworking during Gupta period Made advances in metalworking during Gupta period

MedicineMedicineDental workDental workSet broken bonesSet broken bonesEven early forms of plastic surgeryEven early forms of plastic surgerySew woundsSew woundsUse herbs to help prevent illnessUse herbs to help prevent illness

SanskritSanskrit – written language developed – written language developed in Indiain India

StupasStupas – Buddhist shrines Ashoka had – Buddhist shrines Ashoka had built throughout Indiabuilt throughout India

Achievements cont’dAchievements cont’d

Mohenjo-DaroMohenjo-Daro and and Harappa Harappa – – 2 earliest Indus Valley settlements, 2 earliest Indus Valley settlements, almost identical, with many paved streets, permanent buildings almost identical, with many paved streets, permanent buildings courtyards and market placescourtyards and market places

DyanstyDyansty – – ruling line from the same familyruling line from the same family

Mauryan and Gupta dynasties formed the first great Indian empiresMauryan and Gupta dynasties formed the first great Indian empires. .

Mauryan EmpireMauryan Empire Chandra GuptaChandra Gupta –– first ruler of the Mauryan Empire. first ruler of the Mauryan Empire. Under

Chandragupta, the Mauryan Empire liberated the transindus, and defeated the invasion led by a Greek general from Alexander the Great’s army.

AshokaAshoka – – Chandra Gupta’s grandson ruled most of Northern & Central Chandra Gupta’s grandson ruled most of Northern & Central India 273-232 B.C.India 273-232 B.C.

After seeing horror of war, followed the peace of Buddhist teachings – After seeing horror of war, followed the peace of Buddhist teachings – made laws that improved the lives of his people; made laws that improved the lives of his people;

(hospitals for sick, houses for poor, practiced non violence)(hospitals for sick, houses for poor, practiced non violence) The Mauryan Empire flourished under his leadership, grew to the The Mauryan Empire flourished under his leadership, grew to the

Mediterranean Sea.Mediterranean Sea.

P – POLITICSP – POLITICS

After Ashoka’s death the Mauryan Empire declined.After Ashoka’s death the Mauryan Empire declined. (heavy taxes, rulers that follower lacked his kindness – took (heavy taxes, rulers that follower lacked his kindness – took

land from peasants)land from peasants)

Gupta EmpireGupta Empire A.D. 320 Chandra Gupta IA.D. 320 Chandra Gupta I came into power came into power Samudra Gupta Samudra Gupta

(grandson)– (grandson)– Great military leader Great military leader supported Hindu arts, and scholars. supported Hindu arts, and scholars. (The Gupta rulers benefited much from the thriving trade (The Gupta rulers benefited much from the thriving trade

they owned many silver and gold mines on their estates.)they owned many silver and gold mines on their estates.)

P – POLITICSP – POLITICSCONT’DCONT’D

E - ECONOMYE - ECONOMY India’s good roads help it become the center of a large trade India’s good roads help it become the center of a large trade

network.network.

India traded the followingIndia traded the following SpicesSpices WheatWheat RiceRice Cotton Cotton SaltSalt SilverSilver GoldGold

**note It’s location on the Indus and Ganges River were great **note It’s location on the Indus and Ganges River were great trade routes (as well as Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal)trade routes (as well as Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal)

S – Social StructureS – Social Structure

Children were born into the Children were born into the Caste (and job) the parents Caste (and job) the parents were. were.

The only hope of moving in your The only hope of moving in your Caste (varna) is reincarnation.Caste (varna) is reincarnation.

Caste System –Caste System – Bhramin (Priests)Bhramin (Priests) Kshatryia (Warriors)Kshatryia (Warriors) Vaishya (Merchents, Vaishya (Merchents,

landowners)landowners) Sudra (Commoner, Peasants, Sudra (Commoner, Peasants,

servants)servants) __________ Untouchable (not aknowledged; Untouchable (not aknowledged;

outcast…)outcast…)