India: Powerhouse of South Asia

1
India Powerhouse of South Asia

• An Overview and Introduction
• Mr. Oberholtzer
• A-36

2
India Overview of a Civilization

• India formed as a river valley civilization like
  Mesopotamia, Egypt and China
• Began along the Indus River
• India is considered a subcontinent,
  geographically distinct from the rest of Asia
• Indias history features many great achievements
  and Empires
• India is an emerging power for 21st century

3
Geography of India

• Located in South Asia
• Subcontinent
• Varied climate, from arctic to desert to jungle
  subject to monsoons
• Major landforms Himalayas, Ganges River, Deccan
  Plain

4
Indus River Valley Cradle of Indian Civilization

• Began 4,500 years ago
• Harrappan Era
• Mohenjo-Daro
• laid out like modern city in blocks and
  districts
• in door plumbing, baths, paved streets, seweage
  system
• economy based on agriculture

5
Ancient Indian Life

• Writing has not been deciphered
• art carvings, sculpture
• religion is unclear, but probably worshipped a
  female goddess due to number of female figurines
  uncovered
• irrigation systems dikes, dams, canals, ditches
  hydraulic civilization
• ended in unknown disaster in 1500 BC

6
Indian Empires Powerful and Influential

• Vedic Age begins with Aryan Invasion
• Aryans mixed with Dravidians formed basis of
  Indian Population
• Most people lived in villages life is unchanged
  today!

7
Mauryan Empire (321-184 BC)

• Began in 321 BC in northern India
• Most important emperor was Asoka
• expanded empire, trade and commerce
• increased wealth
• spread Buddhism to other lands

8
Gupta Empire (320-500 AD)

• Golden Age of Ancient India
• Spead and increased influence of Hinduism in
  India
• learning flourished achievements in math,
  literature, science, chemistry, astronomy

9
Height and Fall of Gupta Empire

• Guptas extended Indian culture through trade and
  conquest through much of Southeast Asia
• Art, religion and customs were spread to other
  peoples
• Gupta Empire decayed and fell due to invasion,
  most notably from the Huns, a barbarian group
  from Central Asia

10
The British Rule in India