India, where it all began…• Earliest cities on the subcontinent were built in the Indus River

Valley (2500-1500 BCE)• Two of the main cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

• Mohenjo-Daro = mound of the dead (from chicken fights to egg layers)

• Archaeologists did not discover the ruins of these ancient ruins until 1921• Cities were built of brick, and were home

to large civilizations• Large civilizations inhabited these regions

due to their fertile soil and irrigationwater• Indus people were responsible for the

building of streets, roads, public baths, shops and private homes

The end of the Indus: 1500 BCE

• Following the invasion of a warlike people from west-central Asia – known as the Aryans – the Indus population ceased to exist• The Aryans not only ventured into India, but

also continued on into Europe as well; the Aryans almost completely replaced the original inhabitants of these lands

• Those in Northern India who did not relocate to the south were assimilated by the Aryans…

Aryans, who were they?• The Aryans were a fair-skinned and tall people. They lived

primarily as ‘herders’ • Living most of their life as nomads, and devoting much of their energy to

fighting wars with other non-Aryan people• Aryans used chariots and had many skilled archers at their disposal

for this war based attitude.

• Aryans followed the caste system – this was done to establish order within their society• Used both to ensure a successful military and agriculture sector, but also to take

control over those who they conquered. • Remember: a lot of India’s characteristics today were established by other groups and

passed on through the generations…

Aryan Traditions• Establishing castes came with a need to maintain a

written record of life events

• Four original castes:1. Brahman (priest)2. Kshatriya (warrior)3. Vaishya (commoner)4. Sudra (slave or non-Aryan)

• The traditions of these societies were recorded in the Vedas, that being a book of hymns. • “From the dead hand I take the bow he wielded. To gain us dominion, might, and

glory…”• Hymn emphasizing the importance of war to the Aryans

Others who ruled India…

• Following the arrival of the Aryans to India, the makeup of India was made of many rival kingdoms• These groups spoke different languages and followed different religions; they

were rooted in both Aryan and Dravidian traditions

• Following the short rule of Alexander the Great in the north (330-323 BCE), a new ruler Chandragupta came to power• Once in power, he attacked and subdued all of Northern

India, establishing the Maurya Dynasty, known as one of the most powerful and important empires of the ancient world• He resigned power for religious reasons, and then eventually

starved himself to death…

Chandragupta’s Grandson

• Regarded as greatest of the Maurya leaders, Ashoka was in power from 273-232 BCE; he was a very interesting individual• Under his rule nearly all of India was brought together as one large empire

• During one military campaign, one with lots of killing and bloodshed, Ashoka changed his attitude• Converted to Buddhism (rooted in peace)• Killing was wrong• Decided to make life better for his empire• Encouraged the spread of Buddhism