Section 2: India

Introductions Physical barriers- Himalayas, the Hindu

Kush, and the Indian ocean (made invasion difficult)

Mountain passes provided migration routes

Rivers-Indus and Ganges Indus river valley civilization

(Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro)

Aryans

Aryans Indo European invaders

lighter, taller spoke different language / no writing herders

Route – Khyber pass Literature – Vedas/Upanishads

Caste System Brahmins – priests Kshatriyas – warriors Vaishyas – peasants/traders Shudras –laborers/craftsmen Rigid social system-did not allow for

movement from caste to caste

Mauryan Empire

Start of Empire Chandragupta Maurya (321 BC)-empire Asoka takes over

Height of empire

Asoka 269 BC rule –Buddha's teachings of non-

violence Continued political unification of

much of India

Spread of Buddhism Spread along silk road Asoka’s missionaries and their

writings spread Buddhism from India to China-along trade routes

Cultural diffusion Made stone pillars carved with policies Built roads Used missionaries

Contributions spread of Buddhism free hospitals veterinary clinics good roads

Gupta Empire

Gupta empire Chandra Gupta central region of the Ganges river valley 320 AD

Height of Gupta empire India experienced a golden age under

Gupta Contributions:

mathematics (concept of zero) medical advances (setting bones) astronomy (concept of a round earth) new textiles literature (sanskrit)