Ancient and Classical India World History. Early Society in South Asia Indus Valley Civilization centered around twin fortified cities: Harapan & Mohenjo-daro,

Ancient and Classical India

World History

Early Society in South Asia• Indus Valley Civilization centered around twin

fortified cities: Harapan & Mohenjo-daro, declined > 2000 BCE

• Aryans – Indo-European Migrants from the Caspian Sea area arrived - 2000 BCE~ pastoral nomads, light-skinned, warrior culture~ clashed with dark-skinned Dravidians (sedentary, agricultural)~ established a society that was male dominated, dev. Sanskrit language, est. local kingdoms, dev. a social class system, & Hinduism

Hinduism

• Evolved from native and Aryan polytheistic beliefs

• No one single Holy Book – many books called the Vedas

• Brahman - supreme being – creator of the universe (not worshipped directly by the masses)

• Vishnu – the sustainer – protects humanity

• Shiva – the destroyer – destroys the universe so that the cycle may begin again

• Hindus believe the universe has been created and destroyed many times

• Dharma: the duties of a person according to their Varna

• Follow your dharma – achieve good karma

• Your Karma in this life determines your form in the next life (higher or lower Varna)

• Reincarnation – cycle of life and rebirth• Goal: to escape this cycle and be reunited with

Brahman• Effects of Hinduism on Society

~ reinforced social hierarchy

~ promoted high ethical standards

~ respect for all living things

~ promotes a vegetarian diet and honors the sacred cow

Around and

Around it goes,

Like Shiva, the

Cosmic dancer.

Reincarnation

Social Classes (Varnas)•Castes determined by the previous life

•caste system is a rigid social system that allows for NO social change

•Occupation, marriage, education, even diet is determined by hereditary caste

•Promoted social harmony – everyone followed rules of behavior

•Pariahs are not part of the system and are called untouchables b/c they are considered dirty

Brahmans: priests

Kshatriyas: warriors,

rulers

Viasyas: common people,

merchants, artisans, farmers

Sudras: unskilled laborers, servants

Pariahs: untouchables, slaves

• Women subservient in the home but are allowed property rights and could divorce under certain conditions.

Political• Identically planned cities

and construction suggests a strong central government

Economic• Traded long distances–Artifacts show they traded with the

Sumerians

Religious• Links to modern

Hindu Culture–Shiva- is a major

Hindu god

• Cows were

sacred

Social

• Civilization was generally stable

• Same kinds of houses suggests little social differences

• Toys were found for children – this shows prosperity since they can make things they do not NEED to survive

Intellectual• Advanced plumbing–Private bath and toilet for every house–Toilets made of brick with wooden

seats–Pipes connected underground sewer

system

Achievements• Sophisticated city planning – very

detailed and organized–Used a grid system

• Citadel – a fortified area surrounded by a wall that protected the major buildings in the city–Public buildings, granaries and religious

quarters

Harappa

Mohenjo Daro

Geography• Wall of Mountains- sepereated India from the rest of

Asia–Hindu Kush–Himalaya–Karakoram

• This created an Indian Sub-Continent• Monsoons – trade winds that brought rain in the summer

and dry wind in the winter• Major Rivers-– Indus–Ganges