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INDIA. INDIA - GEOGRAPHY. “ SUBCONTINENT”; Mountains separate India from rest of Asia Mountain Ranges: HIMALAYAS, HINDU KUSH Rivers: 1. INDUS – early civilization started here 2. GANGES – Hindu holy river “healing” powers DECCAN Plateau – rich in natural resources. MONSOONS.
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INDIA - GEOGRAPHY • “SUBCONTINENT”; Mountains separate India from rest of Asia • Mountain Ranges: HIMALAYAS, HINDU KUSH • Rivers: 1. INDUS– early civilization started here • 2. GANGES– Hindu holy river “healing” powers • DECCANPlateau – rich in natural resources
MONSOONS • SEASONAL winds • Dominate India’s CLIMATE
MONSOONS • Summer Monsoons – June to October – 90% of India’s rainfall occurs during these months • Summer Monsoons blow from East to South west carrying moisture from the INDIAN Ocean • Can be a BLESSING: bring water for crops • Can be a CURSE: drought from weak monsoons or flooding if monsoons are intense
MAURYAN EMPIRE 321 B.C. – 185 B.C. • Founder – CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA(ruled from 321 B.C. - 301 B.C.) • UNITED India – organized gov’t/strong army
ASOKA – Ruled 269 B.C.- 232 B.C. • Mauryan’s Greatest Ruler – Chandragupta’s GRANDSON • BecomesBUDDHIST– seeks peace and harmony • Spread Buddhism but preached Religious TOLERATION {Allowed other religions to be practiced}
ASOKA’s EDICTS • Huge STONE PILLARS– throughout the empire – inscribed with BUDDHIST teachings • 19 Still Survive in Today – 40/50 feet high
ASOKA • Promoted PEACE and NONVIOLENCE • Made TRAVEL EASIER – built extensive ROADS • After his death in 232 B.C. Mauryan Empire began to DECLINE
GUPTA EMPIRE – A.D.320-A.D.535 • Founder – CHANDRA GUPTA I(no relation to Maurya) • Period of PEACE & PROSPERITY in India • Importance of HINDUISM
CASTE SYSTEM • Strong Belief in REINCARNATION • Top Caste – PRIESTS/ Religious Leaders • Bottom Caste – UNTOUCHABLES – outcasts of society • Indian families were PATRIARCHAL (male dominated)
CASTE SYSTEM DETERMINED: • WHERE YOU LIVED • WHAT TYPE OF CLOTHING YOU WORE • WHAT TYPE OF JOB YOU HAD • WHO YOU MARRIED • WHAT YOU ATE
GUPTA EMPIRE – “Golden Age of India” During the rule of Chandra Gupta II (grandson of founder) • Inventions/Discoveries in: • MATH – concept of ZEROdecimal system, modern numerals • SCIENCE – ASTRONOMY, viewed solar eclipse • MEDICINE – surgeries, invented instruments, medical guides, early SMALLPOX vaccination, used herbs to treat illness • ARCHITECTURE – building of Buddhist STUPASand Hindu Temples
END OF GUPTA EMPIRE • Reasons: WEAK rulers and FOREIGN invasions • After Chandra Gupta II died - new INVADERS threatened India • Over the next 100 years - Gupta Empire broke into small kingdoms • Many were overrun by the Huns or other NOMADS • Empire ended about 535
MUGHAL EMPIRE: 1526 - 1828 Mughals were MUSLIMS – descendents from Genghis Khan’s MONGOLS Founder – Brilliant MILITARY General: BABUR
MUGHALS – “Classic Period” • Under Rule of AKBAR 1565-1605 (Babur’s Grandson) • CULTURAL/ECONOMIC Progress • RELIGIOUS HARMONY – Akbar was MUSLIM but allowed HINDUSto practice & work in government
SHAH JAHAN • MUGHALS 5th Ruler – Akbar’s Grandson ruled 1628-1658 • Hired best ARCHITECTS in the world • Built TAJ MAHAL – monument to his wife (died-giving birth) recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India” • TAJ MAHALhas been called most beautiful building in the world • Finest example of Mughal architecture-style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, Indian styles
END OF MUGHAL EMPIRE • Religious Struggles between MUSLIMS/HINDUS • Persecution of HINDUS – high taxes, no role in government, schools closed, monuments destroyed, strict Islamic Law implemented • GREAT BRITAINbecome interested in India…
