\
\n
Topic 4, Lesson 1 Indus Valley Civilization
Geography
Subcontinent (large landmass set apart from rest of the continent)
River system (main river and all the other rivers and streams that drain into it)
Monsoons (seasonal winds) bring rain in the summer, agriculture depended on it
\n
Religion - No evidence of temples or religious activities
\n
Achievements
Cities well planned and organized - grid pattern with straight streets
1st citywide sewer system
First to use cotton for cloth
\n
Politics
So well organized that it must have had a strong central government
No evidence of royal statues or tombs - kings unlikely
Citadel - fortified area - center of government, religion or maybe both
\n
Economics of Indus River Valley Civilization
Relied on agriculture - granary - special building to hold grain
Rich in resources - trade by sea to Mesopotamia (stone/clay seals as evidence)
\n
Society / Social Structure of Indus River Valley Civilization
\n \n \n \n
Topic 4, Lesson 2 India’s Vedic Age
Geography
Religion & Achievements
Indo-Aryans wrote 4 books known as the Vedas - each with 1000s of sacred hymns
The Vedas were written in Sanskrit - a language of sacred literature that was ancestor to English and other modern languages in India
\n
Politics
Changed from Clans with chiefs to a republic to over a dozen kings
\n
Economics of Indo-Aryan Civilization
Started as herders with their livestock, then agriculture became important
\n
Society / Social Structure of Indo-Aryan Civilization
Many do not identify as a caste / jobs no longer depend on a caste
\n
Topic 4, Lesson 3 Origins and Beliefs of Hinduism
-Main religion in India and widely practice in S. and SE Asia for thousands of years
-Hinduism based on word Hindu - name given to people of India by Persian traders
\n
Early Hinduism
-Vedas - hymns to many Gods and Goddesses - later part of Hinduism
-Early Hinduism (Brahmanism) - based on rituals to Brahman given by the priests
\n \n
Classical Hinduism
Gurus - religious teachers - thought and discussed religious ideas
Upanishads - writings of these teachers - connection between heavenly forces and
people’s lives - questions of life and death / right and wrong
With the Vedas, became Hindu holy scriptures.
\n
Epic Poems - story of heroes told in verse / explain religious ideals & how to live
Ramayana - importance of dharma (righteous action)
Mahabharata - world’s longest poem - conflict between loyalty to family and duty
Bhagavad-Gita - considered by some as Hinduism’s most imp.text
\n
Central Beliefs of Hinduism
Brahman - one supreme cosmic consciousness, spiritual force, or God
Every person is born with a soul - also a form of Brahman
\n
Reincarnation - rebirth of a soul in new body
Karma - effect of a person’s actions in this and in previous life
Law of karma determines how a person is reincarnated
Bad karma will bring suffering in a next life, good will lead to a clearer path
Four Goals of Hinduism
Following dharma (a person’s duty or what is right) brings good karma
Living a good & successful life - earning a livelihood with dignity
Doing things that bring pleasure - like eating good food, taking a hot bath
Moksha - liberation from reincarnation, joining Brahman, the purpose of life
\n
Four Paths to Moksha?
Way of Knowledge - true understanding of one’s soul and oneness with Brahman
Way of Works - religious rituals and duties to improve karma
Way of Devotion - worshiping / offerings to the Hindu Gods or Goddesses
Way of Meditation - mind can be disciplined with spiritual practices like yoga
\n
What helped the growth of Hinduism?
People did not have to give up their old gods when they became Hindu
People can pray and make offerings when convenient - even shrines @home
\