Ancient India From Brahma to Bollywood Aryan Migration

Ancient India From Brahma to Bollywood

Aryan Migration § pastoral depended on their cattle. § warriors horse-drawn chariots.

Sanskrit writing

The Vedas § 1200 BCE-600 BCE. § written in SANSKRIT. § Hindu core of beliefs: Rig Veda oldest work. Ø hymns and poems. Ø religious prayers. Ø magical spells. Ø lists of the gods and goddesses.

Varna Brahmins (Social Hierarchy) Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

The Caste System Kshatriyas WHO IS… Brahmins § The mouth? § The arms? Vaishyas § The legs? § The feet? Shudras

The Vedic Age The foundations for Hinduism were established!

325 BCE: INVASION n Alexander the Great invaded northwest India. n Here's his account: They use parasols as a screen from the heat! They wore shoes made of white leather and they were elaborately trimmed, while the soles were multicolored, and made of great thickness, to make the wearer seem much taller.

321 BCE: Mauryan Empire Chandragupta has HUGE army n High Taxes/spies n Unites North India n Grandson Asoka (buddhist) believed in RELIGIOUS TOLERATION n Asoka built lots of roads (who else ? ) n

Buddhism breaks in TWO n Mahayana n Theraveda n “new doctrine/fresh” n “old school” n Yes, you can n Work towards worship Buddha n Can be lots of Buddhas n Help others is key n A MASS religion – salvation for ALL individual nirvana

Hindu Rebirth n More personal, less ritual n Focus on 3 gods Brahma (creator) Vishnu (preserver) Shiva (destroyer)

320 AD: Gupta Empire n Won wars and land n Increased trade n Arts and Science n North: patriarchal n South: Matriarchal

Gupta Achievements n Proved Earth was n n n ROUND 500’s CE Value of pi Length of year 1, 000 diseases 500 plants to cure Review: How did their GEOGRAPHY encourage them?

Use of Silk Roads “middlemen”

Use of Silk Roads “spread Buddhism”