Theme: Geography

I. Settled by the Indus RiverA. Flooded, provided silt B. Fertile soil for farming C. Irrigation of cropsD. Provided for division of labor and

civilization

II. Provided Natural Barriers (protection from invaders)

A. Subcontinent

B. Himilayas & Hindu Kush MountainsIII. Climate

A. Hot & humid

B. Monsoons

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Like Egypt & Mesopotamia

Theme: EconomicsI. Trading

A. Iron tools & weapons were valuable trade itemsB. Traded with MesopotamiaC. Silk Road – linked civilizations from China (East) to Rome (West)

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Theme: PoliticsI. Harappans

A. 2300-1700 B.C. B. Central government like Egypt

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II. Aryans

A. No central ruler/government

B. Raja – leader who ruled a village & the land around it

III. Mauryan Empire

A. 320 – 185 B.C.

B. Chandragupta Maurya founded empire

Theme: PoliticsIV. Asoka

A. Strongest ruler in 270 B.C.B. converted to BuddhismC. Swore not to fight more warsD. Similar to Buddha – against violenceE. Spread Buddhism

1. Missionaries through Asia2. Columns “billboards” of Buddhism

V. Gupta DynastyA. A.D. 320 – 500’sB. Chandragupta I – first emperor, N. India under controlC. Chandragupta II – expanded empire, height of power

Theme: ReligionI. Brahmanism

A. 4 Vedas – religious writingsB. Brahmins – priests

II. Hinduism – largest religion in IndiaA. PolytheismB. Each god is part of a single universal spirit, BrahmanC. Atman – soulD. reincarnation – rebirthE. karma – effects of + and – actionsF. dharma – duties of caste

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Theme: ReligionIII. Buddhism

A. Siddhartha Gautama – princeB. Went on quest for answers about human lifeC. Found enlightenmentD. Became known as the Buddha

1. understood human suffering2. wanted to eliminate suffering

E. Created guiding principals to live by & avoid human suffering

1. Four Noble Truths2. The Eightfold Path

F. Buddhism spread via missionaries & the Silk Road (trade route)

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Theme: Society & Culture

I. Harappan CivilizationA. First advanced civilization along Indus RiverB. 2300 – 1700 B.C.C. Archaeologists unable to decipher writing

II. AryansA. 1200 B.C. – Indus ValleyB. Wrote history in VedasC. NomadsD. Small communitiesE. Wrote records in Sanskrit

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Theme: Society & Culture

III. The Varnas – Social Divisions (4 main levels)A. Brahmins – priestsB. Kshatriyas – rulers and warriorsC. Vaisyas – farmers, craftspeople, tradersD. Sudras – laborers, non-Aryans, servants

IV. The Caste SystemA. Groupings within varnas based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation (job)B. Determined place in societyC. Untouchables – outcasts of societyD. Sutras – lists rules of caste systemE. Most important – must follow the rules of your caste

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Theme: Science & Technology

I. Harappan AdvancementsA. Public wellsB. Indoor plumbingC. made pottery, jewelry, ivory objects, cotton clothingD. System of weights & measuresE. India’s first writing system (not deciphered yet!!)

II. Aryan AdvancementsA. Sanskrit languageB. Poems & hymns

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Theme: Science & Technology

III. Religious ArtA. Hindu & Buddhist templesB. Paintings show religious beliefs, daily life, ceremoniesC. Statues

IV. Sanskrit LiteratureA. Mahabharata & Ramayana

1. Bhagavad Gita – famous section

V. Scientific Advances – things we use dailyA. MetallurgyB. Hindu-Arabic numeralsC. InoculationsD. Astronomy

1. Could predict solar/lunar eclipses

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