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World History
Chapter 3Sections 1 and 3
Early Civilizations and Empires of India and Pakistan
Physical Geography of India
Geography of the Subcontinent
• India is isolated from the rest of Asia by the Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges.
• The Northern Gangetic Plain sits at the feet of the two mountain ranges and is the most fertile farming area.
• The climate of India is controlled by the monsoons, wet and dry seasonal wind patterns.
Rise of the Indus Valley Civilization
• The Indus Valley civilization emerged around 2600 B.C. (500 yrs. after Egypt, 800 yrs. after Sumer)
• The Indus people built a number of cities known for their organization and advanced public works.
• The civilization lasted for 700 yrs. And traded with other cultures as far away as the Arabian Peninsula.
Fall of the Indus Valley Civilization
• Around 1900 B.C. the archaeological evidence begins to show a civilization in decline.
• While we do not know the cause of the fall the evidence points to sudden catastrophic end.
• Nearly all of our knowledge of the Indus is based on artifacts because we have not deciphered the sparse written records that have been recovered.
The Aryan Civilization
• Around the time of the demise of the Indus a new culture moved to India from Europe and Central Asia known as the Aryans.
• The Aryans left little written records or artifacts but their influence can be traced through the Vedic texts.
• The nomadic Aryans settled into villages in Northern India and began to develop kingdoms.
Aryan Society
• Aryan society was divided into social classes based upon occupation.– Brahmins – religious priests– Kshatriyas – warriors– Vaisyas – farmers, artisans, and merchants– Sudras – non-Aryans, servants, and laborers– Dalits – those relegated to work no other caste
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Aryan Religion
• Aryan religion is the primary but not sole basis for modern Hinduism.
• Aryan religion was polytheistic and animistic with a primary god of war named Indra.
• Aryan religion also shows henotheistic tendencies as the concept of Brahman – a spiritual force beyond even the gods.
The Maurya Empire
• The Maurya ruled northern India for 140 years.
• The empire was united by an advanced road system but controlled through violent oppression.
• This characteristic was changed under the rule of Asoka who rejected violence following his conversion to Buddhism.
The Gupta Empire
• After 500 years of disunity the Gupta empire reunited most of India.
• Under the Gupta India increased farm production, and trade using the new wealth to fund cultural development.
Indian Contributions to Learning
• Indian mathematicians developed our modern number system.
• India also developed the concept of zero and the decimal system.
• Indian physicians made advances in medicine and surgery but most importantly the practice of vaccinations.
Family Life in India
• The ideal family setting in India was a Joint or extended family setting, multiple generations in a single dwelling.
• Indian families were patriarchal but tradition and religious law constrained complete authority.
• Families made important decisions for children such as marriage arrangements based upon caste and family considerations.
The Roles of Women and Class
• Roles and privileges for women varied by class with upper-class women experiencing greater restrictions.
• Women were believed to be in need of direction provided by their husbands and their primary duties were limited to marriage and child-rearing.
• A woman’s reincarnation depended primarily on her devotion to her husband to the point of death.