Early Civilization in India Began in the INDUS

Early Civilization in India • Began in the INDUS river valley (3000 -1500 B. C. ) • 2 major cities: Harrapa & Mohenjo-Daro – Well-planned, walled cities – 1 -3 story mudbrick housing – Public wells; bathrooms with drainage systems – Sewers and trash collection

Early Civilization in India • Government & Religion – Divine rulers – Religion closely aligned with government – Polytheistic; earth gods • Economy – Based on farming; Indus flooded annually – Traders with Mesopotamian city-states – Carried by ship to Persian Gulf

Early Civilization in India • OMG!!!! Here come the Aryans – Nomadic warrior types of Indo-European ancestry – Moved from Central Asia to set up shop in India – Conquered the Harrapans, and moved swiftly across the peninsula

Early Civilization in India • Living the Aryan Life – Introduction of Iron farm tools, along with acquisition of new lands, turned Aryans from nomads to farmers – Developed SANSKRIT, a writing system, around 1000 B. C. – History characterized by wars and hostility between RAJAS (princes)

Early Civilization in India • The Caste System – Based on skin color; Aryans light-skinned, Harrapans darker-skinned • Priests & warriors on top; commoners & workers next • Untouchables not considered human; collected trash & dead bodies (Dirty Jobs- the 1000 B. C. edition)

Early Civilization in India • Patriarchal society- 3 generations lived under same roof – Only males educated; rich did not marry until 12 years of education completed – Hinduism was the major belief system – Arranged Marriages – Children expected to take care of elders in old age

Early Civilization in India • #1 reason why the ladies should be happy they did not live in ancient India: SUTTEE • When husbands died, they were placed on a FUNERAL PYRE, which was set ablaze • Wives were expected to JUMP ABOARD!!! • To not do it was to disgrace yourself in society

Early Civilization in India • Aryan Instability leads to new empires after 400 B. C. – Mauryan Dynasty • ASOKA was greatest mauryan ruler • Adoption of BUDDHISM made him very benevolent toward his kingdom – Kushan Kingdom • Ruled by warrior class • Trade was key to success – Guptas • Result of Persian conquest; greatest empire in India • Traded with China & Southeast Asia along the SILK ROAD

Early Civilization in India • The Silk Road – Stretched from the city of CHANGON in China to ANTIOCH, Syria (coast of Mediterranean Sea) • Luxury items from the East traded for Luxury items from the West • RELIGIONS and other IDEAS also spread

Early Civilization in India • Culture in India – Literature • Large religious & historical epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana) – Architecture • Created the first PILLARS – Science & Mathematics • Recognized that the Earth was a sphere, and revolved • ARYABHATA was one of the first scientists to use ALGEBRA