Ancient India I About India Himalayan mountainstallest mountains
Ancient India
I. About India Himalayan mountains-tallest mountains (Mt. Everest) Monsoonsseasonal winds that bring heavy rains
II. Harappan Civilization �Around 3, 000 BC, civilization first arose around the Indus River Valley ◦ Government was highly organized �Grid pattern cities (such as Harappa and Mohenjo. Daro), sewer systems with indoor plumbing, trash collection �Unknown writing system
III. Aryan Invasion By 1500 BC, the Aryans (indoeuropean nomads) had invaded The Aryans created a new civilization ◦ New Language Sanskrit ◦ New social structure Caste System ◦ New religion Hinduism
Caste System Rigid social classes based on family lineage and occupation Very limited social mobility Reinforced by religious beliefs (Reincarnation and Karma=you deserve the caste you’re born into)
IV. Two World Religions Hinduism ◦ Based on Aryan belief ◦ One supreme god (Brahma) with many different aspects ◦ Reincarnation driven by karma - What you do in this life determines your next ◦ Goal-Be reunified with Brahma after death Buddhism ◦ Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) ◦ No specific god ◦ Reincarnation until Enlightenment ◦ Rejected Caste System. Enlightenment possible in one life ◦ Goal-Nirvana (reunion with Great World Soul)
Four Noble Truths of Buddhism �Life is full of suffering �Suffering exists because of desire and attachment to worldly things �To end suffering, end attachment and desire �To end attachment, follow the Middle Path
V. Indian Accomplishments Science ◦ Charted stars, knew earth was round Medicine ◦ Advanced surgery, hospitals, and vets Math ◦ Aryabhata created algebra, zero, and Indian-Arabic numbers
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