Chapter 3 Notes

Ancient India

2. Aryans (2500BC – 322BC) Group of nomadic tribes who had originally inhabited Central Asia

Tall, fair haired, with clear cut features, they settled in Punjab, in the Indus Valley River region. Fought with the original people of Indus Valley Civilization, who were dark skin and known as Dasyus or Dravidians The superiority of the Aryans resulted in the Dravidian submission and retirement to the south.

The Aryan society was very well organized, ruled by amonarch. Practiced the four Vedas Caste system was introduced and practiced, based onone’s profession:Brahmins: Priests, teachers, intellectualsKhsatriyas: Warriors, soldiersVashya: Traders, merchants, peasantsShudras: People in service of others

Varna (Social Hierarchy)

ShudrasShudras

VaishyasVaishyas

Kshatriyas Kshatriyas

Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

BrahminsBrahmins

Vedic PhilosophyThe Vedas are the oldest written text on our

planet today. They date back to the beginning of Indian

civilization and are the earliest literary records of the human

mind.

They have been passed through oral tradition for over

10,000 years, and first appeared in written form between 2500 - 5,000 years

ago.

Veda means “Knowledge” in Sanskrit. Veda means “Knowledge” in Sanskrit.

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DestroyDestroyerer

Shiva

PreservPreserverer

Vishnu

CreatorCreator

Brahman

The TrinityThe Trinity

Mauryan Dynasty• Chandragupta Maurya

• Organizes to fight invasion by Alexander (325 BCE).

Characterized by:Large armies ( thousands of

elephants, chariots, etc.)

Bureaucracy

Autocracy ( marked by strong military and government control)

Ashoka• Grandson of

Chandragupta• Led lavish lifestyle• Extended Mauryan

conquests• Bloodthirsty and Brutal

….but then….• Converted to Buddhism• Urged humane behavior• Helped progress by

investing in roads for trade, technology, etc.

Buddhism

Quest for Answers

• Siddhartha was born a prince, but he questioned the meaning of life.

• Determined to find answers using:

• Meditation

• Fasting

• Learning from different teachers

Enlightenment

• Found it under the Tree of Wisdom while meditating

• Called the Buddha (Enlightened One)

• Spent the rest of his life traveling and teaching his ideas

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

E. Napp

Around 320 A.D.,another greatIndian empireemerged. It

was known asthe Gupta

empire.

E. Napp

The Gupta Empire

• The rulers of the Gupta empire encouraged peace, prosperity, and trade.

• The Gupta empire is considered a golden age of Hindu culture.

• A golden age is a time of peace, prosperity, and great achievements.

MedicineMedicineMedicineMedicine LiteratureLiteratureLiteratureLiterature

MathematicsMathematicsMathematicsMathematicsAstronomyAstronomyAstronomyAstronomy

PrintedPrintedmedicinal medicinal

guidesguides

1000 1000 diseasesdiseasesclassifiedclassified

PlasticPlasticSurgerySurgery

C-sectionsC-sectionsperformeperforme

dd

InoculatioInoculationsns

500 healing500 healingplants plants

identifiedidentified

DecimalDecimalSystemSystem

ConceptConceptof Zeroof Zero

PI = 3.1416PI = 3.1416

KalidasKalidasaa

SolarSolarCalendarCalendar

The The earthearth

is roundis round

GuptaGuptaIndiaIndia

Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

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Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

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1 Billion people, 1 Billion Deities !

Rama GaneshaSarasw

ati

Lakshmi

Nanak

Buddha Christ DeviKrsna

Murugan

Sights of India

Mount Kailas, Himalayas“abode of snow” – in Sanskrit

“Gods blessed region”, Kerala

Western Thar Desert, Rajasthan

The Beauty of Kashmir

Varanasi, Ganges River