Transcript Slide 1
Chapter 4 - Ancient India and China Chapter 4 - Ancient India and China Section 1 – Early India Section 1 – Early India Main Idea Early civilization arose in the Indus River Valley, flourished, and then mysteriously died out. Later India’s Vedic civilization developed a culture based on old and new beliefs. Focus • How did India’s geography affect the development of civilization there? • What were the defining features of the Indus Valley Civilization? • What do we know about life in India’s Vedic period? I. India’s Geography Indus River - flows across NW edge of Indian subcontinent A. Three major geographic zones: 1. Himalaya & Hindu Kush mountains 2. Deccan Plateau 3. Northern or Indo-Gangetic Plain - site of India’s first civilization B. Monsoons Monsoon winds brought heavy rains; flood deposits enriched soil B. Monsoons • Summer monsoons from SW - warm air, heavy rains from Indian Ocean • Winter monsoons from NE - cool, dry air from Asia B. Monsoons B. Monsoons Water a critical factor – too much/too early brought destruction; too little/too late meant famine 20cm = 7.9in 100cm = 39.4in 400cm = 13.2ft 800cm = 26.3ft 1000cm = 32.8ft II . Indus Valley Civilization 2500 BC - Harappan civilization emerged A. Cities and settlements 1920s: ruins from two large cities found Harappa and Mohenjo Daro A. Cities and settlements Well-planned settlements: streets in grid pattern; community wells; sewage systems The Great Bath was entered using two wide staircases, one from the north and one from the south. The floor of the tank is watertight due to finely fitted bricks laid on edge with gypsum plaster. A. Cities and settlements Citadels, granaries, shrines, etc. suggest centralized government Excavated ruins of Mohenjo-daro Harappa granary B. Economy Economy based on agriculture, specialized crafts, and trade Ceramic sculpture of a small cart with vases and tools pulled by oxen, from Mohenjo-daro An artistic conception of the ancient Harappan city of Lothal C. Society Standardized tools, weights and measures; writing system not yet deciphered Seals on products made in Harappa have been found in Mesopotamia, indicating trade between the two regions C. Society Civilization thrived from about 2500 to 2000 BC; declined for unknown reasons III. The Vedic Period After 2000 BC, Aryans ruled most of India; knowledge of them comes from the Vedas III. The Vedic Period Regional leaders – rajas - protected people in return for payment III. The Vedic Period Vedic society was divided into four varnas III. The Vedic Period III. The Vedic Period Varnas divided into hundreds of castes determined employment, marriage; etc. III. The Vedic Period People prayed to many aspects of single spirit What began as a celebration of natural elements converted into the worship of cosmic elements, thus forming the triad of the early Vedic Gods – Agni (Fire), Vayu (Wind) and Surya (the Sun). III. The Vedic Period As rituals grew more complex, Brahmins gained influence The god Vishnu and his many avatars. These manifestations are essentially the representation of the deity for some purpose. Each of Vishnu’s avatars is a particular person, representative of a characteristic of the God – birth, death, energy, war, etc.