INDIA

INDIA

1INDIA - GEOGRAPHYSUBCONTINENT; Mountains separate India from rest of Asia Mountain Ranges: HIMALAYAS, HINDU KUSHRivers: 1. INDUS early civilization started here 2. GANGES Hindu holy river healing powersDECCAN Plateau rich in natural resources

GANGES RIVER is located in central India and is 500 miles long2MONSOONS SEASONAL windsDominate Indias CLIMATE

3MONSOONSSummer Monsoons June to October 90% of Indias rainfall occurs during these monthsSummer Monsoons blow from East to South west carrying moisture from the INDIAN OceanCan be a BLESSING: bring water for cropsCan be a CURSE: drought from weak monsoons or flooding if monsoons are intense

4INDIAS MONSOONS

MAURYAN EMPIRE 321 B.C. 185 B.C.Founder CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (ruled from 321 B.C. - 301 B.C.)UNITED India organized govt/strong army

6ASOKA Ruled 269 B.C.- 232 B.C.Mauryans Greatest Ruler Chandraguptas GRANDSONBecomes BUDDHIST seeks peace and harmonySpread Buddhism but preached Religious TOLERATION{Allowed other religions to be practiced}

7ASOKAs EDICTSHuge STONE PILLARS throughout the empire inscribed with BUDDHIST teachings19 Still Survive in Today 40/50 feet high

8ASOKAPromoted PEACE and NONVIOLENCEMade TRAVEL EASIER built extensive ROADSAfter his death in 232 B.C. Mauryan Empire began to DECLINE

GUPTA EMPIRE A.D.320-A.D.535Founder CHANDRA GUPTA I (no relation to Maurya)Period of PEACE & PROSPERITY in IndiaImportance of HINDUISM

11CASTE SYSTEMStrong Belief in REINCARNATIONTop Caste PRIESTS / Religious LeadersBottom Caste UNTOUCHABLES outcasts of societyIndian families were PATRIARCHAL (male dominated)

CASTE SYSTEMDETERMINED:WHERE YOU LIVEDWHAT TYPE OF CLOTHING YOU WOREWHAT TYPE OF JOB YOU HADWHO YOU MARRIEDWHAT YOU ATE

GUPTA EMPIRE Golden Age of India During the rule of Chandra Gupta II (grandson of founder)Inventions/Discoveries in: MATH concept of ZERO decimal system, modern numeralsSCIENCE ASTRONOMY, viewed solar eclipseMEDICINE surgeries, invented instruments, medical guides, early SMALLPOX vaccination, used herbs to treat illnessARCHITECTURE building of Buddhist STUPAS and Hindu Temples

15END OF GUPTA EMPIREReasons: WEAK rulers and FOREIGN invasionsAfter Chandra Gupta II died - new INVADERS threatened IndiaOver the next 100 years - Gupta Empire broke into small kingdomsMany were overrun by the Huns or other NOMADSEmpire ended about 535

MUGHAL EMPIRE: 1526 - 1828 Mughals were MUSLIMS descendents from Genghis Khans MONGOLSFounder Brilliant MILITARY General: BABUR

17MUGHALS Classic PeriodUnder Rule of AKBAR 1565-1605 (Baburs Grandson)CULTURAL/ECONOMIC ProgressRELIGIOUS HARMONY Akbar was MUSLIM but allowed HINDUS to practice & work in government

18SHAH JAHAN MUGHALS 5th Ruler Akbars Grandson ruled 1628-1658Hired best ARCHITECTS in the worldBuilt TAJ MAHAL monument to his wife (died-giving birth) recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India TAJ MAHAL has been called most beautiful building in the worldFinest example of Mughal architecture-style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, Indian styles

19TAJ MAHAL

20END OF MUGHAL EMPIREReligious Struggles between MUSLIMS/HINDUSPersecution of HINDUS high taxes, no role in government, schools closed, monuments destroyed, strict Islamic Law implementedGREAT BRITAIN become interested in India

21STRUGGLE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN & INDIA