Ancient Indian Civilizations By Courtney and Jimmy Introduction

Ancient Indian Civilizations By: Courtney and Jimmy

Introduction �The Ancient Indian Civilizations had two major religions called Buddhism and Hinduism. Each religion had their own rules and ways taught in how to see the world.

Buddhism � Buddhism was one of the two major religions. The founder of Buddha is Siddhartha Gautama or known as the “Enlightened One”. Buddhism didn’t accept Hindu gods. If you had a desire it would cause you suffering. Buddhism taught the Four noble truths and the Eightfold path. The four noble truths were: The human life would involve suffering and sorrow. Renouncing desires would free people from suffering and help their souls reach nirvana. Desire for life and pleasure gained suffering. Eightfold path taught reincarnation, seeing life as it really is, avoiding lies, and gossip, seeking to prevent evil, to be law bidding and honest, and awareness of self.

Hinduism � Hinduism was the other big religion. Hinduism believed in the unity of god and creation. They also believed in many gods. Hinduism was deeply interwoven with the caste system : social classes. It taught to see the world as a illusion, if you would see the world as a illusion you could not be saved and if you were to escape the illusion you would find peace in nirvana. They also believed in reincarnation, you had to be reborn a certain amount of times to reach nirvana which is a perfect peace. There 2 focuses were Dharma and Karma. They would practice yoga which centered them so the y could focus and they would sit their for hours. There festivals combine religious ceremonies, rituals combining music, dancing, eating and drinking. It also represented the return of a season. There were animals that were sacred to them such as cows.

Mayryan Empire/ Dynasties �The Mauryan dynasty/empire was most powerful in 540 B. C. They ruled for almost 150 years. The ruler at the time was Chandragupta Mauryan , then gave up his throne to his son. Bindusara which ruled for a while. Then Asoka came into power in about 270 B. C. He was a even greater ruler than his grandfather. After fighting bloody wars after another he became sickened and became a Buddhist.

Gupta Ruler �In about A. D 300 the Gupta family came into power after the Mauryan empire. Hinduism was a favored and dominate religion of India. Then the Gupta lost power in A. D 500.

Ancient Indian Life and Culture. � They all traded silks, cotton, wool, ivory, spice and gems. They traded with Far East, Southwest, Asia, and Europe. The rajas controlled the land. The rulers got ¼ of the harvest taxes. The Hindu and Buddha laws were written in 200 B. C and 200 A. D. They had Panchantantra or the 5 books. Their art and architecture influenced images and sculptures of Buddha and Hindu gods which influenced Roman and Greek sculptures. Over time the art and architecture became more rigid and formal. Science and technology. They were highly skilled and. They understood the rotation of Earth and predicted Eclipses of the moon and sun which were normally right. In medicine they made inoculation whish is the practice of infecting a person with a mild disease to get their bodies ready for an infection, and plastic surgery. Education involved Vedas, literature, math, astronomy, government and warfare.

THE END �The details and information came from Chapter 3 – Ancient Indian Civilizations. The sections for the information are 1 -5. � HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE PRESENTATION.