INDIAN INDIAN CIVILIZATIONCIVILIZATION

INDUS CIVILIZATION 2600 – 1900 BCINDUS CIVILIZATION 2600 – 1900 BC

VEDIC CIVILIZATION 1500 – 500 BCVEDIC CIVILIZATION 1500 – 500 BC

Mauryan EmpireMauryan Empire 322 – 185 BC 322 – 185 BC

INDUS CIVILIZATIONINDUS CIVILIZATION

2600 – 1900 BC2600 – 1900 BC

OriginOrigin Centered on the Indus River Valley.Centered on the Indus River Valley. Also known as “Harappan Civilization” and Also known as “Harappan Civilization” and

“Saraswati-Sindhu Civilization”.“Saraswati-Sindhu Civilization”. The first farming culture in South Asia – The first farming culture in South Asia –

started in the hills of Baluchistan (Mehrgarh).started in the hills of Baluchistan (Mehrgarh). Later migrated to the fertile Indus valley – the Later migrated to the fertile Indus valley – the

emergence of urban centers.emergence of urban centers. E.g. Mohenjo Daro and Harappa.E.g. Mohenjo Daro and Harappa.

OriginOrigin Over 1000 cities and settlements.Over 1000 cities and settlements. Covered about 500,000 sq. miles – the modern Covered about 500,000 sq. miles – the modern

day Pakistan and northwest India.day Pakistan and northwest India. The Indus people – their origin is unknown.The Indus people – their origin is unknown. But were believed to have been inspired by the But were believed to have been inspired by the

rise of Mesopotamian civilization.rise of Mesopotamian civilization.

OriginOrigin The end of the Indus civilization – rather The end of the Indus civilization – rather

mysterious:mysterious:1. Aryan’s invasion.1. Aryan’s invasion.2. Mass killings or destruction (e.g. civil war).2. Mass killings or destruction (e.g. civil war).3. Diseases – malaria.3. Diseases – malaria.4. Climatic change (e.g. flooding).4. Climatic change (e.g. flooding).

Yet, some cultural, social and religious Yet, some cultural, social and religious elements of Indus civilization survived - elements of Indus civilization survived - manifested in the later Indian civilization.manifested in the later Indian civilization.

GovernmentGovernment Remains a mystery.Remains a mystery. So far, no evidence of kings, priesthood, state So far, no evidence of kings, priesthood, state

armies, palaces or temples.armies, palaces or temples. No evidence of centralized government, city No evidence of centralized government, city

states or kingdoms.states or kingdoms. Also no evidence of slaves or forced labor.Also no evidence of slaves or forced labor. Instead, evidence of a vast middle class Instead, evidence of a vast middle class

society; traders and artisanssociety; traders and artisans

SocietySociety Little is known of Indus social organization.Little is known of Indus social organization. Agriculture and trade.Agriculture and trade. Middle class merchants and officials, artisans, Middle class merchants and officials, artisans,

priests, farmers and laborers.priests, farmers and laborers. A theory – rulers might be from merchant A theory – rulers might be from merchant

class or ritual specialist or wealthy people who class or ritual specialist or wealthy people who owned large areas of land. owned large areas of land.

ReligionReligion Little is known of Indus religious beliefs.Little is known of Indus religious beliefs. Worshipped gods and goddesses – in the forms Worshipped gods and goddesses – in the forms

of statues and figurines.of statues and figurines. Associated animals with gods.Associated animals with gods. Contributed to later religion; Hinduism.Contributed to later religion; Hinduism.

Writing SystemWriting System Indus scripts of symbols.Indus scripts of symbols. Exquisitely tiny scripts and short sentences Exquisitely tiny scripts and short sentences

(normally 4 or 5 characters in length).(normally 4 or 5 characters in length). No meanings till now.No meanings till now. Some argued the Indus writing is one of non-Some argued the Indus writing is one of non-

linguistic sign system.linguistic sign system. Invented seals – to imprint symbols on wet Invented seals – to imprint symbols on wet

clay.clay.

ScienceScience Achieved great accuracy in measuring length, Achieved great accuracy in measuring length,

mass and time.mass and time. Among the first to develop a system of Among the first to develop a system of

uniform weights and measures – extremely uniform weights and measures – extremely precise.precise.

Division – the smallest division (1.704 mm).Division – the smallest division (1.704 mm). Weight units – 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, Weight units – 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10,

etc (each unit weighing 28 grams)etc (each unit weighing 28 grams)

ScienceScience Invented instruments to study tides, waves and Invented instruments to study tides, waves and

currents.currents. Had knowledge of medicine and dentistry.Had knowledge of medicine and dentistry.

TechnologyTechnology Invented new techniques in metallurgy – Invented new techniques in metallurgy –

produced copper, bronze, lead and tin.produced copper, bronze, lead and tin. Metal works – knives, razors and chisels.Metal works – knives, razors and chisels. Bead making, waxing method, pottery making.Bead making, waxing method, pottery making. Transport technology – bullock driven carts, Transport technology – bullock driven carts,

sailing bots and sea-going vessels.sailing bots and sea-going vessels. Engineering skills – building docks, Engineering skills – building docks,

warehouses, brick platforms and protective warehouses, brick platforms and protective walls around cities.walls around cities.

TechnologyTechnology Town planning – sophisticated and advanced Town planning – sophisticated and advanced

urban culture.urban culture. The houses were protected from noise, odors The houses were protected from noise, odors

and thieves. and thieves. Houses – many two stories and some three Houses – many two stories and some three

stories tall, inner courtyards.stories tall, inner courtyards. Streets – straight and wide ( 3 – 10 meters).Streets – straight and wide ( 3 – 10 meters).

TechnologyTechnology The world’s first urban sanitation system – The world’s first urban sanitation system –

systems of sewage and drainage, toilets, systems of sewage and drainage, toilets, bathrooms, public baths.bathrooms, public baths.

The drains connected each house to municipal The drains connected each house to municipal drains located under major streets.drains located under major streets.

Efficient municipal authorities.Efficient municipal authorities. Irrigation and flood control – used fired and Irrigation and flood control – used fired and

baked bricks.baked bricks.

TradeTrade Important – contributed to the rise of the Indus Important – contributed to the rise of the Indus

civilization.civilization. Facilitated by transport technology.Facilitated by transport technology. Extensive maritime trading network with the Extensive maritime trading network with the

Mesopotamian civilization. Mesopotamian civilization. Also with others – Iranians, Persian Gulf states Also with others – Iranians, Persian Gulf states

Afghans and southern India.Afghans and southern India. Food, cotton, cotton cloth, ivory, furniture, Food, cotton, cotton cloth, ivory, furniture,

copper, gold, silver, etc.copper, gold, silver, etc.

TradeTrade Also inland trade; lowlands and highlands Also inland trade; lowlands and highlands

trade routes.trade routes. Even maintained small colonies in Even maintained small colonies in

Afghanistan – near to sources of raw materials.Afghanistan – near to sources of raw materials. At its peak, the Indus civilization formed part At its peak, the Indus civilization formed part

of a much wider economic world.of a much wider economic world. The trade routes persist till todayThe trade routes persist till today

VEDIC CIVILIZATIONVEDIC CIVILIZATION

1500 – 500 BC1500 – 500 BC

OriginOrigin A civilization or culture associated with the A civilization or culture associated with the

Vedas – centered in the Ganges river valley.Vedas – centered in the Ganges river valley. Named after the “Named after the “VedasVedas”.”. By the 6By the 6thth century BC, the culture began to be century BC, the culture began to be

transformed into classical forms of Hinduism.transformed into classical forms of Hinduism. 1500 – 500 BC – the “Vedic period” or the 1500 – 500 BC – the “Vedic period” or the

“Vedic Age”.“Vedic Age”. Was succeeded by the “golden age of Was succeeded by the “golden age of

Hinduism” and classical Sanskrit literature.Hinduism” and classical Sanskrit literature.

OriginOrigin The Aryans – nomadic people originated from The Aryans – nomadic people originated from

northwest.northwest. Migrated eastward to the Ganges valley.Migrated eastward to the Ganges valley. An Indo-European race, spoke Indo –An Indo-European race, spoke Indo –

European language; Sanskrit.European language; Sanskrit. Took many basic physical, cultural and Took many basic physical, cultural and

religious elements of the Indus civilization.religious elements of the Indus civilization. Founded the city of Delhi.Founded the city of Delhi.

GovernmentGovernment At the beginning, the emergence of small At the beginning, the emergence of small

ancient Indian kingdoms.ancient Indian kingdoms. Later, the rise of the Later, the rise of the MahajanapadasMahajanapadas or great or great

kingdoms (e.g. Magadha Empire).kingdoms (e.g. Magadha Empire). The The rashtarashta (state) – ruled by a (state) – ruled by a rajanrajan (king). (king). The king also called ‘The king also called ‘gopagopa’ (protector), ’ (protector),

‘‘samratsamrat’ (supreme ruler), ‘’ (supreme ruler), ‘ekarat’ekarat’ (the one (the one ruler), ‘ruler), ‘sarvabhumi’sarvabhumi’ (ruler of all the earth) and (ruler of all the earth) and ‘‘chakravartin’chakravartin’ (protector of land). (protector of land).

GovernmentGovernment Aided by Aided by purohitapurohita (chaplain) (chaplain) senanisenani (army (army

chief) and chief) and senasena (army). (army). Employed Employed spasaspasa (spies) and (spies) and dutasdutas

(messengers).(messengers). The state was divided into The state was divided into janajana (provinces), (provinces),

vis vis (district) and (district) and gramagrama (village). (village).

SocietySociety Nomadic lifestyle; cattle rearing and Nomadic lifestyle; cattle rearing and

agriculture.agriculture. Cattle and cows were held in high esteem; Cattle and cows were held in high esteem;

religion and as standard unit of barter.religion and as standard unit of barter. Milk – important part of the diet.Milk – important part of the diet. Families were patrilineal and people prayed Families were patrilineal and people prayed

for abundance of sons.for abundance of sons.

Caste SystemCaste System Society was strictly organized in a system of Society was strictly organized in a system of

caste.caste. Originated in the class system of the Aryans.Originated in the class system of the Aryans. Also to distinguish themselves from the local Also to distinguish themselves from the local

Indians and to mark descent. Indians and to mark descent. The root of Hindu caste system.The root of Hindu caste system.

Caste systemCaste system Caste system is “ a hereditary class of social Caste system is “ a hereditary class of social

equals who share the same religion, pursue a equals who share the same religion, pursue a specific trade or occupation, and avoid specific trade or occupation, and avoid extensive social contact with members of extensive social contact with members of different castes”.different castes”.

The four major classes: The four major classes: BrahminBrahmin, , KshatriyaKshatriya, , VaishyaVaishya and and ShudraShudra. .

The outcasts (The outcasts (pariahpariah).).

Language and WritingLanguage and Writing The use of Vedic Sanskrit – until the 6The use of Vedic Sanskrit – until the 6 thth cent. cent.

BC.BC. The evolution of Vedic Sanskrit language: The evolution of Vedic Sanskrit language:

Rigveda, Mantra, Samhita, Brahmana, Sutra, Rigveda, Mantra, Samhita, Brahmana, Sutra, Epic and Paininian SanskritEpic and Paininian Sanskrit..

Classical Vedic Sanskrit literature. E.g: Classical Vedic Sanskrit literature. E.g: RamayanaRamayana and and Mahabharata Mahabharata epics.epics.

A collection of religious hymns and various A collection of religious hymns and various myths and stories.myths and stories.

ReligionReligion Vedic religious practices (Vedas) – the predecessor Vedic religious practices (Vedas) – the predecessor

and root of Hinduism.and root of Hinduism. Four sacred Vedic religious texts.Four sacred Vedic religious texts. The ‘The ‘RigvedaRigveda’ the oldest Vedic religious text.’ the oldest Vedic religious text. The The rishisrishis (composers of the (composers of the RigvedaRigveda hymns) –were hymns) –were

considered divinely inspired hearers. considered divinely inspired hearers. Vedic rites – to help adherers to transform through Vedic rites – to help adherers to transform through

sacrifices.sacrifices. The mode of worship – performance of sacrifices and The mode of worship – performance of sacrifices and

chanting of verses (hymns).chanting of verses (hymns).

ReligionReligion The priests helped the common people in The priests helped the common people in

performing rituals.performing rituals. Primary gods: Primary gods: IndraIndra, , AgniAgni (fire), (fire), SomaSoma, , VarunaVaruna

(sky), (sky), SuryaSurya (sun), (sun), MitraMitra and and VayuVayu (wind). (wind). Primary goddesses: Primary goddesses: UshasUshas, , PrithviPrithvi (earth), (earth),

AdithiAdithi (the mother of gods / cow) and (the mother of gods / cow) and SaraswatiSaraswati..

Traces of Indo-Iranian religion; the fire worship.Traces of Indo-Iranian religion; the fire worship.

ReligionReligion Goddesses were often compared to cows and Goddesses were often compared to cows and

gods to bulls.gods to bulls. RigvedaRigveda prohibits cow-slaughter – led to the prohibits cow-slaughter – led to the

later practice of vegetarianism (prohibition of later practice of vegetarianism (prohibition of eating all animals).eating all animals).

Also contributed to the practice of Hindu Also contributed to the practice of Hindu yoga.yoga.

HinduismHinduism Hinduism is not only religious thoughts and Hinduism is not only religious thoughts and

ideas but also a social structure and customs ideas but also a social structure and customs (caste system).(caste system).

One of the world’s oldest religion (currently One of the world’s oldest religion (currently one of the world’s large followers).one of the world’s large followers).

Rooted in the classical Vedas.Rooted in the classical Vedas. The goal of Hinduism – to reach The goal of Hinduism – to reach brahmabrahma (the (the

supreme principle of life). supreme principle of life). In doing so, a person has to observe In doing so, a person has to observe dharmadharma (a (a

moral and natural law).moral and natural law).

HinduismHinduism Once Once BrahmaBrahma is achieved, the society and is achieved, the society and

people with live happily.people with live happily. The concept of The concept of karmakarma (actions), (actions), samsarasamsara

(reincarnation) , (reincarnation) , mokshamoksha (salvation) and (salvation) and yogayoga.. Powerful gods e.g. Siva, Vishnu, Kali-Ma, etc.Powerful gods e.g. Siva, Vishnu, Kali-Ma, etc. Gods are manifestations of Gods are manifestations of BrahmaBrahma.. Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita – a famous Hindu sacred – a famous Hindu sacred

hymns and a spiritual guide (the story of hymns and a spiritual guide (the story of Arjuna and Krishna).Arjuna and Krishna).

BuddhismBuddhism Founded by Siddharta Gautama, known as Founded by Siddharta Gautama, known as

Buddha “the enlightened one”.Buddha “the enlightened one”. Followers – Buddhists.Followers – Buddhists. Teachings of Buddha (Buddhism) – results of Teachings of Buddha (Buddhism) – results of

Gautama’s meditation.Gautama’s meditation. Human sufferings is a result of human Human sufferings is a result of human

weaknesses.weaknesses. To avoid this, man has to follow a code of To avoid this, man has to follow a code of

conduct / moral law.conduct / moral law.

BuddhismBuddhism The moral law – “The moral law – “The Eightfold PlanThe Eightfold Plan”.”. The eight steps: right viewpoint, right The eight steps: right viewpoint, right

aspiration, right speech, right behavior, right aspiration, right speech, right behavior, right occupation, right effort, right mindfulness and occupation, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation.right meditation.

If successful, one will achieve If successful, one will achieve nirvananirvana (eternal (eternal happiness).happiness).

Concentrates on Buddha’s teachings and little Concentrates on Buddha’s teachings and little emphasis on gods.emphasis on gods.

BuddhismBuddhism Buddha denied some teachings of Hinduism; Buddha denied some teachings of Hinduism;

challenged Hindu gods and goddesses and challenged Hindu gods and goddesses and rejected Hindu caste system.rejected Hindu caste system.

Yet, accepted the concept of Yet, accepted the concept of dharmadharma, , karmakarma and and samsarasamsara. Also . Also yogayoga and meditation. and meditation.

The split of Buddhism (after the death of The split of Buddhism (after the death of Buddha): Buddha): 1.1.Theravada/Hinayana BuddhismTheravada/Hinayana Buddhism..2.2. Mahayana Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism..

BuddhismBuddhism

Expansion of Mahayana Buddhism between the 1st – 10th century CE.

JainismJainism Founded by Vardhamana Mahavira.Founded by Vardhamana Mahavira. Followers – Jains. Followers – Jains. He developed his own philosophy from He developed his own philosophy from

Hindu’s concept of Hindu’s concept of karmakarma and and samsarasamsara.. All human beings, animals, plants, nature and All human beings, animals, plants, nature and

everything else have living souls.everything else have living souls. In order to reach eternal happiness, one needs In order to reach eternal happiness, one needs

to discard unnecessary matters/actions.to discard unnecessary matters/actions.

JainismJainism Vegetarianism – Jains believed that one cannot Vegetarianism – Jains believed that one cannot

live by destroying another life. Emphasis on live by destroying another life. Emphasis on non-violence.non-violence.

Jainism was never as widely held as Hinduism Jainism was never as widely held as Hinduism and Buddhism, but it has been a highly and Buddhism, but it has been a highly influential and respectable field in Indian influential and respectable field in Indian thought.thought.

MAURYAN EMPIREMAURYAN EMPIRE

322 – 184 BC322 – 184 BC

OriginOrigin After the invasion of Persians into India.After the invasion of Persians into India. Chandragupta, a ruler of a small state on Chandragupta, a ruler of a small state on

Ganges valley.Ganges valley. Established an empire – became a king of Established an empire – became a king of

India in 304 BC.India in 304 BC. He was the first in Indian history to govern He was the first in Indian history to govern

most of the subcontinent.most of the subcontinent.

OriginOrigin The empire stretched from Punjab and The empire stretched from Punjab and

Himalayas in the north to almost the tip of the Himalayas in the north to almost the tip of the subcontinent, from modern Afghanistan in the subcontinent, from modern Afghanistan in the west to Bengal in the east. west to Bengal in the east.

Mauryan Empire (320 BC)Mauryan Empire (320 BC)

GovernmentGovernment The empire divided into provinces – each The empire divided into provinces – each

governed by a governor.governed by a governor. Most coming from Chandragupta’s own Most coming from Chandragupta’s own

family.family. Sent agents to the provinces to oversee the Sent agents to the provinces to oversee the

working of the government.working of the government. Established a regular army.Established a regular army. His grandson, Ashoka extended the empire to His grandson, Ashoka extended the empire to

its peak.its peak.

BuddhismBuddhism Ashoka’s reign – the spread of Buddhism.Ashoka’s reign – the spread of Buddhism. He became a devout Buddhist after the He became a devout Buddhist after the

Kalinga massacre (Orissa).Kalinga massacre (Orissa). Used his power as a king to spread Buddhism Used his power as a king to spread Buddhism

throughout India.throughout India. To protect the religion, warned Buddhist To protect the religion, warned Buddhist

monks that he would not tolerate schism monks that he would not tolerate schism (divisions).(divisions).

Peaceful and human rule.Peaceful and human rule.

Buddhist proselytism at the time of emperor Aśoka the Great (260–218 BCE).