Early South Asia

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Early South Asia

• Please take out your notes. As we study the
  power point, be writing down examples of the
  social, economic and political lessons and
  legacies of these early Indian civilizations.

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Harappan Civilization(2500 BC 1500 BC)

• Located in the Indus River Valley (now in
  Pakistan/Northern India)
• Major cities Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
• Each city was planned in a grid pattern with a
  large citadel (fortress) overlooking the town.

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Modern South Asia Map
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(No Transcript)
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Harappan Civilization, cont.

• Farmers grew wheat, barley, rice and cotton.
• Goods produced included metal tools, jewelry,
  clay figures and pots, and cotton cloth.
• Harappa traded with Mesopotamia.

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Harappan Civilization, cont.

• Pictograms were used for writing they still
  have not been deciphered.
• Harappan civilization ended possibly due to
  flooding or invasion.

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Head sculpture of a dignitary
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Sculpture of a priest-king from Mohenjo-Daro
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Harrapan Drainage System
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Harrapan Tablet Dating Back to 2500-1700 BC
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The Aryan Conquest (1500 BC)

• Aryan nomads moved into the Indus River Valley
  and the Ganges Plain from the northwest
  (light-skinned)
• Invaded using chariots bronze weapons
• Land very fertile
• Their civilization became present-day India.

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The Aryan Conquest, cont.

• They became farmers and herders.
• There was no written language at first, but
  Sanskrit became a major language of India.
• Hymns, legends and religious rituals were
  collected into the Vedas (Books of Knowledge).

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Aryan Culture

• System of four rigid social classes (varnas)
• Warriors were the most honored, followed by
  priests, skilled workers, and unskilled workers
  and servants.
• Priests would eventually become the highest varna.

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Aryan Culture, cont.

• Varnas were each divided into smaller groups,
  called jati.
• Each jati had its own neighborhood and did not
  mix with others (typically divided among
  profession).
• People in each varna had very strict duties
  (dharma), which stated what path in life men
  could take women were responsible for the
  household.
• Aryan customs and religion eventually evolved
  into Hinduism.

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From the Mahabharata

• Indra said May never on earth, O lord of the
  earth the Law be confused! Protect it, for the
  upheld Law holds up all the world. Guard the
  this worldly Law, forever on guard and attentive
  if yoked to the Law, you shall win the blessed
  worlds of eternity. You standing on earth have
  become the dear friend of me standing in heaven
  now possessa country that is the udder of earth
  , abounding in cattle and holy, of stable
  climate, with wealth and rice aplenty, protected
  by the skiesIt is a country beyond all others,
  with riches and jewels and all good things
• The country people are accustomed to the Law,
  quite content and upright. No lies are spoken
  there even in jest, let alone in earnest. Sons
  are devoted to their elders there they do not
  divide off from their fathers. Cows are never
  yoked to the cart, and even lean cows yield
  plenty. All the classes abide by their own Law,
  in this land

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more Mahabharata

• This large celestial crystalline chariot in the
  sky, which it is the Gods privilege to enjoy,
  this airborne chariot will come to you as my
  gift. Among all mortals you alone shall stand
  upon a grand and sky-going chariot, and indeed,
  you will ride there above, like a God come to
  flesh! And I give you this garland Vaijayanti,
  woven by lotuses that never fade, which shall
  sustain you in battle, never hut by swords. That
  shall be your mark of distinction here, sovereign
  of men grand, rich, unmatched, and renowned as
  Indras Garland!
• 1. What does this excerpt tell us about Dharma
  duty?
• 2. What rewards does Indra say Vasu will receive
  for pleasing the gods?
• 3. How does this reading contribute to your
  understanding of legacy?