World History

1. World History Chapter 3 Sections 1 and 3 Early Civilizations and Empires of India and Pakistan

2. Physical Geography of India

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 would do

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.