IndiaIndia

Role of Geography

The Earliest Indus River Civilizations

The Earliest Indus River Civilizations

Harappan IndiaHarappan India

Centered along the Indus River in NW India

Similar to Mesopotamia and Nile cultures

Agricultural economy

Aryan arrivalAryan arrival

Came from Central Asia Arrived ca 1500-1000 BCE Vedic Age, 1200-600 BCE:\ Epic stories of Varuna, the mighty

god, and Indra, the warrior god Connected with veneration of the

god Shiva Invasion of Alexander, 326 BCE

HinduismHinduism

Vedic Age gave rise to Hinduism

Upanishads—philosophical speculations

MayaTransmigration of SoulsKarmaCaste System

Hindu CastesHindu Castes

Brahmins: Profs and priestsBrahmins: Profs and priests

Kshatriyas: Military leaders and politicians

Kshatriyas: Military leaders and politicians

Vaishyas: Farmers, landlords, businessmen

Vaishyas: Farmers, landlords, businessmen

Sudras: Peasants, servants, laborersSudras: Peasants, servants, laborers

Untouchables (Dalit): Workers in polluting jobs

(Officially outlawed in 1949)

Untouchables (Dalit): Workers in polluting jobs

(Officially outlawed in 1949)

Mauryan EmpireMauryan Empire

First Indian dynasty to control India Chandragupta Maurya drove out

Greeks Grandson, Ashoka, consolidated

control (r. 269-232) Buddhist convert Edicts of Ashoka India fell into disunity and

regionalism

Ashoka India (3C BC)Ashoka India (3C BC)

Gupta IndiaGupta India

320-550 CE in northern India Less militaristic than Mauryan state Golden Age Helped spread a uniform law code Hinduism crystalized during this

time Aryabhata—Archimedes of India

Indian GovernmentIndian Government

Did not develop the traditions of China,or the inquiry of Greece and Rome

Altered between regional and national unity

Not particularly elaborate systems Local villages the key to social

cohesion

Coming of Muslim RulersComing of Muslim Rulers

Babur the Tiger (1526)—subordinated Hindu chieftains to his rule.

Mughal Dynasty controlled India until British Imperialists seize power.

Mughal Dynasty under Akbar (1556-1605) brings order and stability to Hindu Country

Din Ilahi Akbar’s successors squander wealth and

attempt to impose Sharia on Hindu population.

Akbar the the Moghul Conqueror of India (1556-

1605)

Akbar the the Moghul Conqueror of India (1556-

1605)

The Spread of the Mughal Empire

The Spread of the Mughal Empire

Contemporary IndiaContemporary India

The Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in the 17CThe Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in the 17C

Brahma: The CreatorBrahma: The Creator

Lord Krishna or Vishnu: The Preserver

Lord Krishna or Vishnu: The Preserver

Lord Shiva: The DestroyerLord Shiva: The Destroyer

“Twining of the Creeper” from the Kamasutra

“Twining of the Creeper” from the Kamasutra

Image of Buddha from 13CImage of Buddha from 13C