Ancient History - Chapter 3: Ancient India and China

What was the geography of India?

Monsoons, mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts.

Where did most of the population live in Ancient India?

They lived on the coast.

Rajahs

Early leaders that were like chiefs or kings. Very skilled war leaders.

Aryan Society

Group from Central Asia to India. Used caste system and social classes that were very strict.

Hinduism

Goal is to become one with the force. Many gods and goddesses. Polytheistic.

Atman

Soul or essential self. 

Moksha

Ultimate goal to become part of Brahman. You had to free yourself from selfish desires.

Reincarnation

The process of being reborn as something different. It allowed people to continue working toward moksha through several lifetimes.

Karma

Affected reincarnation. A good life would get you into a higher caste, but a bad life would get you into a lower caste or lesser creature. Once you get to the highest level, you reach moksha. 

Dharma

Religious and moral duties of an individual.

Caste

Groups based on birth, wealth, or occupation that determined your place in society. They could rarely be changed.

Mahabhorata

Epic of the ancient Aryans

Siddhartha Guatama

Founder of Buddhism who was a wealthy prince and said to be Budda. 

Buddhism

The eightfold path and nirvana

4 Noble Truths

1. Suffering and unhappiness are a part of life.

2. Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods.

3. People can overcome their desires by reaching Nirvana which frees a person from suffering and reincarnation.

4. Follow the eightfold path

Eightfold Path

Leads to Nirvana. It’s a list of eight things you must do.

Nirvana

The final goal in life, which is a state of peace.

Chandragupta Maurya

Founded the Mauryan empire. He fasted to death in sorrow.

Mauryan Empire

This was the 1st Indian empire. It was very harsh. There leader was Asoka, who was cruel and then a nice Buddhist.

The Guptas (Achievements).

This was the Golden Age. Achievements were trade and farming, chess, mathematics, and skilled doctors.

Dynastic Cycle

Rise and fall of dynasties.

Feudalism

Leaders would give land to nobles, who would make peasants work that land. 

Confucius

Taught how to behave. Had a philosophy that we needed to accept our place. Said everyone had duties and responsibilities. 

Mandate of Heaven

Divine right to rule.

Daoism

Harmony with nature. Turned into a religion with gods and magic practices.

Shang Dynasty

First dynasty. It was led by a royal family. Had a walled, protected capitol. Had metal workers, silk making, and a complex writing system.

Zhou Dynasty

Used the Mandate of Heaven. Feudal state. iron working and economy. First Chinese books and Confucius.

Shi Huangdi

Rular of Qin Dynasty. Ruled with an iron hand. Very cruel and harsh. Was the first emperor.

Wudi

Created a network of trade routes.

Silk Road

Trade network.

Qin Dynasty

Strong authoritarian government.

Han Dynasty

Eased legalistic polices. Expansionism.