South Asia History

Words to Watch• Gruesome- Causing horror or disgust• Decipher- To interpret the meaning of

something• Anthropologist- A scientist that studies human

origins• Ecology- Pattern of relationships between

living things

Indus Valley Civilization• Lasted from 3300-1300 B.C.• Located in modern-day Pakistan

and India along the Indus River• At its peak, the civilization had a

population of around 5 million• Geographically, the largest

ancient civilization in the world (covered the most area)

Cities of the Indus Valley• Over 1,000 cities and

settlements have been discovered

• Mohenjo-Doro – The most developed and sophisticated city of the Indus River– Archaeologists found gruesome

remains when the city was excavated

• Harrapa – Had about 25,000 people (very large for its time)

Ancient ruins of Harrapa

A computer-generated image of what Harrapa would have looked like

Cities of the Indus Valley

• Both cities had an advanced system of trade and commerce– This was created by a surplus in

agriculture– Domesticated plants like peas, dates,

and cotton– Domesticated animals like the water

buffalo• Seals were used to mark property,

evidence of a written language

Make Your Own Seal• In your Interactive Notebook, create your own

seal which you would use to mark your possessions

• Include symbols that are important to you– This could be an animal, letters, logos and

anything else that is special to you

Cities of the Indus Valley

• Cities used advanced engineering systems to create a water supply and sanitation systems– Created the world’s first flush toilets– Created drainage systems to prevent

flooding houses and had their own private water well

• City streets were based on a grid system

Remains of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus River

• The largest river in South Asia

• People have dealt with flooding for thousands of years

• Today, about 200 million people live in the Indus River floodplain

Maurya Empire

• Lasted from 321 B.C. to 185 B.C. (about 150 years)

• Mostly in modern-day India. Parts in modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Iran

• Population is estimated between 50-60 million

320 B.C.

305 B.C.

300 B.C.

Maurya Empire

• Founded by Chandragupta Maurya when he was only 20 years old

• Developed a trading network across South Asia– Created a system of finance, administration, and security

• Ashoka the Great (the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya) spread the teachings of Buddha– After witnessing a devastating war that killed thousands,

he renounced war and violence

Gupta Empire

• Lasted 320-550 AD (about 130 years)

• Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta

Gupta Empire• Many inventions and scientific discoveries

– Called the “Golden Age of India”• Developed Arabic numerals, the basis of our

number system– Created the concept of zero and the decimal

system

Mughal Empire

• Lasted 1526-1858 (332 years)• Estimated population of 150 million• Under the rule of Akbar the Great, the Empire

enjoyed cultural and economic success• Spread Islam throughout South Asia

Mughal Empire• Famous architecture:

Lalbagh FortTaj Mahal

Red Fort in DelhiJama Mosque

Caste System• The caste system in India has

been around for over 2,000 years

• Jatis- Translated as “thus born”– People in India are born into

categories in which their professions have already been chosen

– People marry within their caste

There are 5 different levels within the Caste System

Caste System

Brahman- Priests and other holy men

Caste System

Kshatriyas- Rulers, warriors, and land owners

Caste System

Vaishyas- Merchants and traders

Caste System

• Shudras- Artisans and farmers

Caste System

• Harijans- Outside the Caste System, known as “Untouchables”

Ghandi

British Rule