The History of India

1
The History of India

• Ancient Civilizations and Religion

2
Indus Valley Civilization

• Existed on the subcontinent around 2500 BC (same
  time as Mesopotamia Egypt)
• Ruins of Ancient Cities Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
• Urban planning
• Large public buildings
• Water supply and sewage systems
• After 1750 BC the civilization declined
• Reason for decline is unclear it was thought
  that Aryan invaders pushed south but now one
  theory is ecological change

3
Indus Valley Civilization

• Map Ruins of Harappa

4
Mohenjo-Daro

• View down a street

5
The Aryan Migration

• 1500 BC people speaking Indo-Aryan languages
  migrated from Caspian Sea into South Asia through
  the Hindu Kush mountains (Modern Afghanistan)
• Seminomadic herders that migrated over centuries
• The Vedas provide some information about Aryans
• Conflict existed between different Aryan groups
  and other groups of people
• Evidence of class and gender discrimination
• Worshiped a multitude of nature related gods

6
The Aryan Migration Continued

• Over 1000 years, Aryans spread across the
  northern section of India
• Used Iron tools, cleared forests, cultivated
  land
• As population increased -gt regional states
  kingdoms developed trade increased
• 326 BC Alexander the Great contact between
  Greek and Indian civilization

7
Indo-Aryan Migration
8
How do we know so much about the Aryans?

• Sanskrit! The language of Ancient India.

9
Aryans and the Caste System

• Aryan society set up a caste system.
• Caste System Divided people up into groups
  according to birth, wealth, or occupation.
• The caste was divided into varnas (social
  divisions)
• Brahmins (Priests)
• Kshatriyas (Rulers or Warriors)
• Vaisyas (Farmers, Craftsmen, Traders)
• Sudras (Laborers and non-Aryans)

10
The Caste System
11
The Original Caste System

• The original system was not as harsh as it came
  to be.
• Originally people of any caste could eat together
  and they could marry from any caste (up or down).

12
The Caste System Evolved

• After time, you could not move between castes.
• The lower you were on the pyramid, the harder
  your life.
• The Untouchables, not even considered a part of
  the caste system, were treated the worst.
• People were given distinct rules on how to live
  in their caste.

13
Caste Rules (after it evolved)

• Sutras Guides for following the caste system
• One could not marry someone from a different
  caste.
• One could not eat with someone from a different
  caste.
• If a person broke any rules, they would be
  considered an untouchable and be banned from
  their homes and families.

14
Aryans and Religion

• The Aryans, having settled in the Indus valley,
  began to mix their religious beliefs with those
  around them.
• The mixture of these religions led to the
  creation of Hinduism.
• Hinduism was formally written down in the Vedas,
  a set of religious texts written by several
  people throughout time.

15
Hinduism

• Hinduism came from a combination of religions and
  cultural beliefs.
• Its the worlds third-largest religion and is
  the main religion of India.
• There is no one founder of Hinduism!
• Hinduism is polytheistic, but can also be seen as
  monotheistic by some. (or henotheistic- the
  belief in one supreme being as well as other
  beings)

16
Hindu Gods

• Brahman The one divine force
• Their three main gods, together, are considered a
  single, universal spirit called the Brahman.
  These gods are
• Brahma The Creator
• Shiva The Destroyer
• Vishnu The Preserver

17
Hindu Texts

• The Vedas- The basis for Hinduism. Four texts of
  sacred rituals, beliefs, and religious
  reflections that were written by Brahmins
  throughout time.
• The Four Vedic Texts
• Samhita (hymns and information about origins)
• Brahmanas (ritual information)
• Aranyakas (teachings of the forest)
• Upanishads (Religious poems and secret teachings)

18
Hindu Belief in Reincarnation

• Reincarnation The process of rebirth
• Your soul will be reborn into a different body
  over and over until you reach moksha (one with
  the gods).
• Karma (the effects that good or bad actions have
  on your soul) determines how you reincarnate!

19
Hindu Belief in Dharma

• Dharma is the path to righteousness, or morality.
• According to dharma, you must always be happy
  with your position in life, even if you are an
  untouchable.
• Dharma affects karma, which affects your position
  in your next lifetime.

20
Hindu Meditation

• Meditation is very important to bring knowledge
  and enlightenment.
• Yoga is a common form of meditation.

21
Hindus and The Ganges River

• The Ganges River is a sacred river to the Hindu
  religion.
• Hindus believe that the Ganges came from Heaven.

22
The Hindu Temple

• Hindus worship in a temple.
• The leaders of Hindu Temples are called priests,
  or brahmins.

23
Hindus and Cows

• Cows are extremely important to Hindus.
• A person who harms a cow can be thrown into jail!
• There is an overpopulation of cows in India. This
  has caused many problems, but there is nothing
  that can be done about it!

24
Hindu Treatment of Women

• Women are considered inferior to men.
• Women have gained more rights over the years!
  (Due in part to Mohandas Gandhi)

25
Hinduism Advertisement Poster

• Create a mini-poster promoting/selling Hinduism
  using pictures and words.
• Include the following
• Hindu Texts - Meditation
• Hindu Gods - Ganges River
• Reincarnation - Temple
• Dharma - Cows
• Karma - Caste System

26
Hinduism Advertisement Poster

• Due Date Friday 2/6 at the beginning of class.
• You will have time to work on your poster today,
  tomorrow, and Thursday.
• Your poster must
• Be Colorful!
• Have correct spelling/grammar
• Sell Hinduism.make me want to join!!