What happened to the Indus What happened to the Indus Civilization? (2500BC - 1500BC)Civilization? (2500BC - 1500BC)

• 1750 BC building declines1750 BC building declines

• Possible gradual changes?Possible gradual changes?

• Possible sudden catastrophe?Possible sudden catastrophe?

Indo-European MigrationIndo-European Migration

• Nomadic tribes called Nomadic tribes called Aryans enter in waves Aryans enter in waves 1500BC-250BC1500BC-250BC

• Pastoral people, wealth Pastoral people, wealth measured in cowsmeasured in cows

• Lighter skinned Aryans are Lighter skinned Aryans are more warlike, with more more warlike, with more advanced weaponryadvanced weaponry

Hinduism DevelopsHinduism Develops

• Combination of Aryan and Combination of Aryan and Dravidian cultures develop Dravidian cultures develop HinduismHinduism– Aryan oral traditions and godsAryan oral traditions and gods– Native gods, rituals and writing Native gods, rituals and writing

system - system - SanskritSanskrit

• Oldest Hindu texts, Oldest Hindu texts, the Vedasthe Vedas, , are written beginning 1,000 BCare written beginning 1,000 BC

• Sacred texts are collections of Sacred texts are collections of prayers, hymns, instructions for prayers, hymns, instructions for rituals, devotion to godsrituals, devotion to gods

BrahmanBrahman

• Universal spiritUniversal spirit

• Everything part of BrahmanEverything part of Brahman

• Goal in life to unite your atman with BrahmanGoal in life to unite your atman with Brahman

Multiple GodsMultiple Gods

• Hindus worship many Gods and GoddessesHindus worship many Gods and Goddesses

• Gods and Goddesses part of BrahmanGods and Goddesses part of Brahman

• Important Gods: Brahma – “the creator” Important Gods: Brahma – “the creator” Vishnu – “the preserver”Vishnu – “the preserver”

Shiva – the destroyer” Shiva – the destroyer”

DharmaDharma

• Sacred dutySacred duty

• Individual dharma determined by Individual dharma determined by personality, age, gender, social classpersonality, age, gender, social class

• Following dharma promotes harmonyFollowing dharma promotes harmony

KarmaKarma

• Sum of good and bad actions atman carries from life to lifeSum of good and bad actions atman carries from life to life• Good and bad actions affect your status in future lifeGood and bad actions affect your status in future life

SamsaraSamsara

• Continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirthContinuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth– ReincarnationReincarnation

• Goal in life is to achieve moksha and be Goal in life is to achieve moksha and be released from samsarareleased from samsara

Create a MandalaCreate a Mandala

• The word The word mandalamandala means “sacred circle” in means “sacred circle” in ancient Sanskrit. A mandala is a piece of art ancient Sanskrit. A mandala is a piece of art that represents beliefs about the universe.that represents beliefs about the universe.