Indian Civilization

CHAPTER 3 SECTION 1
 The Impact of Geography

 In the north of the Indian sub-continent lie the formidable Himalayas. Geographically
these can be divided into three broad regions, namely:

 • The Eastern Himalayas

 • The Central Himalayas
 • The Western Himalayas

 The eastern branch of the Himalayas, the Patkai hills with its extension in the form of
the Khasi, Garo and the Jaintia hills, closes the Brahmaputra valley from the south,
adding to the isolation of Assam. South of Manipur, the Lushai and the Chin hills
narrow into a long range of hills of the Arakan Yoma range, which demarcate the border
with Myanmar and take it to Cape Negaris situated on the mouth the Irrawaddy river.
 Indus Valley Civilization

 As in Mesopotamia and Egypt, early civilizations in India and China emerged in

river valleys. Between 3000 b.c. and 1500 b.c., the valleys of the Indus River
supported a flourishing civilization that extended hundreds of miles from the
Himalaya to the coast of the Arabian Sea. Archaeologists have found the remains
of more than a thousand settlements in this region. Two of the ruins, about 400
miles (644 km) apart, were sites of the cities of Harappa (huh•RA•puh) and
Mohenjo Daro (moh•hehn•joh DAHR•oh). An advanced civilization flourished in
these cities for hundreds of years. Historians call it the Harappan or Indus
civilization.
 Rulers and the Economy

 As in Egypt and Mesopotamia, Harappan rulers based their power on a belief in

divine assistance. Religion and political powers were closely linked. That the
royal palace and the holy temple were combined in the citadel, or fortress, at
Harappa shows this close connection. Priests probably prayed to a fertility deity to
guarantee the annual harvest. The Harappan economy was based on farming. The
Indus River flooded every year, providing rich soil to grow wheat, barley, and
peas. The Indus Valley civilization also carried on trade as far away as
Mesopotamia. Sumerian textiles and food were traded for Indus Valley copper,
lumber, precious stones, cotton, and various luxury goods. Although some trade
goods were carried overland, most goods went on ships via the Persian Gulf.
 Lifestyle

 Daily Life in Indus Valley centered on the family, the most basic unit in society.
The ideal family was an extended family, with three generations— grandparents,
parents, and children— living under the same roof. The family was basically
patriarchal, because in most of India the oldest male held legal authority over the
entire family unit. The superiority of males in ancient Indian society was evident
in a number of ways. Only males could inherit property, except in a few cases
where there were no sons. Women were not allowed to serve as priests, and
generally, only males were educated. In high-class families, young men began
their education with a guru, or teacher, and then went on to study in one of the
major cities.
 Social Classes

 The social structure of ancient India reflected Aryan ideas of the ideal society. The
Aryans believed that society was divided into four varnas, or social groups that
ranked people from high to low. At the top were the Brahmins, the priestly class
who performed the religious ceremonies were so important to Indian society. The
Kshatriyas (KSHA•tree•uhz), or warriors, were considered next in
importance. The Vaisyas (VYSH•yuhz) were commoners who were merchants
and farmers. The lowest varna were the Sudras (SOO•druhz), peasants or
servants who made up the great bulk of the Indian population. Sudras had only
limited rights in society.
Changes in India’s Civilization
 Religion
 Hinduism & its Principles:
 Hinduism is one of the oldest and most diverse religions in the world. It originated in the Indian
subcontinent over 5,000 years ago and is still practiced by millions of people worldwide.
 Hinduism is not a single doctrine but rather a complex set of beliefs, practices, and traditions. Its
central principles include karma and reincarnation. Karma is the belief that every action has
consequences, and these consequences affect the individual's present and future lives.
Reincarnation is the idea that after death, the soul is reborn into another body, and this cycle of
birth and death continues until one achieves the liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.
 Hinduism has many gods and goddesses, and the ultimate goal is to achieve union with the
divine. This can be accomplished through various spiritual practices such as yoga (union),
meditation, and devotion to a particular deity. Hinduism also emphasizes the importance of living
a moral and ethical life, which includes practicing nonviolence, truthfulness, and self-control.
 Hinduism recognizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and emphasizes the importance
of treating others with compassion and respect. These principles of Hinduism have had a
profound impact on Indian society and culture and have also influenced many other spiritual
traditions around the world.
 Religion

 Buddhism & its Principles:

 Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that originated in ancient India and is based on the
teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha.
 Buddhism emphasizes the importance of achieving inner peace and enlightenment
through the practice of meditation and self-awareness. One of the core principles of
Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths, which state that suffering is an inherent part of
existence, that suffering arises from attachment and craving, that suffering can be
overcome by letting go of attachment and craving, and that the path to liberation
from suffering is the Eightfold Path.
 The Eightfold Path includes right understanding, right intention, right speech, right
action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. By
following the Eightfold Path, individuals can develop their wisdom, ethical
conduct, and mental discipline, ultimately leading to the attainment of Nirvana,
which is a state of perfect peace and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
 The Mauryan Empire

 The Mauryan Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in ancient
India, ruling from around 322 BCE to 185 BCE. It was founded by Chandragupta
Maurya, who unified the smaller kingdoms of northern India and established a
centralized government with a complex administrative system.
 Under the reign of Emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire reached its peak,
expanding across much of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Afghanistan.
Ashoka is also known for his edicts promoting social welfare and Buddhist
teachings, making him one of the most well-known and respected rulers in Indian
history.
 The Mauryan Empire was also known for its wealth, art, and architecture, as seen
in the great pillar of Ashoka and the stupa at Sanchi. However, after Ashoka's
death, the empire slowly declined and eventually fell apart due to internal conflict
and external invasions.
The Great Pillar of Ashoka
 The Kushan Empire

 The Kushan Empire was a major political and cultural force in Central Asia from
the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE.
 The empire was founded by a group of Central Asian nomads who gradually
conquered a vast territory, including parts of modern-day India, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
 The Kushans were known for their sophisticated administration, military prowess,
and religious tolerance. They also played a key role in the development of the Silk
Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange between East and West.
 Under the Kushan rulers, Buddhism flourished and art and architecture reached
new heights.
 Despite facing challenges from rival powers and internal conflicts, the Kushan
Empire left a lasting legacy that continues to influence the cultural and historical
identity of Central Asia.
 The Empire of Guptas

 The Gupta Empire was a powerful and prosperous dynasty that ruled over much
of the Indian subcontinent from the 4th to the 6th century CE.
 Under the leadership of its most famous ruler, Chandragupta II, the Gupta Empire
experienced a period of great cultural, scientific, and economic advancement.
During this time, the empire achieved significant achievements in fields such as
mathematics, astronomy, literature, and art, and established a strong centralized
government.
 The Gupta period also saw the flourishing of Hinduism, which became the
dominant religion of India. Despite facing a decline in the later part of their reign,
the Gupta Empire left a lasting legacy on Indian civilization, and their
achievements continue to influence modern India in various ways.
 Literature

 The Vedas: These are the oldest surviving texts in the world and are considered to be the foundation
of Hinduism. They were composed between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE and contain hymns, chants, and
prayers to various deities.
 The Upanishads: These texts, composed between 800 BCE and 500 BCE, are philosophical
treatises that explore the nature of the universe, the self, and the divine.
 The Bhagavad Gita: This is a sacred Hindu text that is part of the Mahabharata epic. It is a dialogue
between Lord Krishna and Arjuna that explores the nature of duty, ethics, and spirituality.
 The Ramayana: This is an epic poem that tells the story of the prince Rama and his quest to rescue
his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. It is considered one of the greatest works of Indian
literature.
 The Mahabharata: This is the longest epic poem in the world, consisting of over 100,000 verses. It
tells the story of the Kuru dynasty and the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
 The Puranas: These are a collection of texts that contain myths, legends, and stories about Hindu
gods and goddesses.
 The Jataka Tales: These are a collection of stories about the previous lives of the Buddha, which are
used to teach moral lessons and Buddhist philosophy.
Literature Works
 Architecture

 Indus Valley Civilization: The Indus Valley Civilization (2600 BCE-1900 BCE)
had advanced urban planning with well-laid out streets and drainage systems. The
cities had multi-story buildings made of brick and stone.
 Buddhist architecture: Buddhist architecture flourished in India between the 3rd
century BCE to the 12th century CE. Some of the notable structures include the
stupas at Sanchi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves.
 Hindu temple architecture: Hindu temple architecture developed over a period
of time and culminated in the Dravidian style, the Nagara style, and the Vesara
style. Some of the notable examples include the Khajuraho temples, the Sun
Temple at Konark, and the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur.
 Mughal architecture: The Mughals brought their own architectural style to India
which was a blend of Persian, Turkish, and Indian styles. The Red Fort and the
Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, and the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in Agra are some
of the notable examples.
 Taj Mahal
Hindu Temple Architecture The Stupa at Sanchi
 Science & Mathematics

 Ancient Indians possessed an impressive amount of scientific knowledge,

particularly in astronomy.
 They charted the movements of the stars and recognized that Earth was a sphere
that rotated on its axis and revolved around the sun. Their most important
contribution was in the field of mathematics.
 Aryabhata, the most famous mathematician of the Gupta Empire, was one of the
first scientists known to have used algebra.
 Indian mathematicians also introduced the concept of zero and used a symbol (0)
for it. After Arabs conquered parts of India in the eighth century a.d., Arab
scholars adopted the Indian system.
 In turn, European traders borrowed it from the Arabs, and it spread through
Europe in the 1200s. Today it is called the Indian-Arabic numerical system.