Indus River Valley Civilization
Subcontinent
The landmass that includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh; separated by Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Himalayan mountain ranges
“Deva-Vani”
Gods language
Religious Toleration
Acceptance of people who held different religious beliefs
Non-theistic
No belief in a creator god
Rajdharma
Duties of a king
What are the possible causes for the decline of the Indus River Valley Civilization?
Influence of migration of Aryan people, climate change (floods, droughts, famine), loss of trade with Egypt and Mesopotamia
How did the caste system change over time?
In beginning: "caste system" reflected one’s occupation
Over time: became more rigid and determined by one’s birth, one was not allowed to change castes nor marry into a different caste
Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya
Who founded Buddhism and who did this person become?
Siddhartha Gautama
He became the Buddha
Why did the Gupta Empire decline?
Internal conflicts within the empire
Further rulers lacked the capabilities to rule over the large empire
Many attacks groups outside the Empire
Effected the economic prosperity of the empire
Based on the found archaeology, what are some of the possible uses for Indus Script?
Since it hasn’t been deciphered, we do not know what exactly it was used for
Seals possibly used as amulets and/or marker for identification
Administrative tool for trade and goods
Narrative imagery (script combined with images used for myth and stories)
What are the five texts of the Vedas and what do they mean?
Rig Veda
Sama Veda - Melody or Song Knowledge
Yajur Veda - Worship or Ritual Knowledge
Atharva Veda - name thought to come from a priest
Upanishads - the "end of the Vedas"
What is the founder's background that helped him found the Mauryan Empire?
Unknown social origins (family, religion, caste, etc)
Learnt different kinds of warfare and engaged in military training (Used to help take control of the earlier kingdom to create the Mauryan Empire)
What are Buddha statues for?
Statues of him are the focal point for concentration for one’s own path to enlightenment (Also a sign of gratitude)
What can Gupta coins show us?
Represent rajdharma as a warrior and peace-loving artist
Classified by object or weapon the emperor is holding, Ex. Axe, instrument, etc.
What is the Mahabharata about?
Revolves around two Indian families who battle for the throne
Pandavas and Kauravas
Kurukshetra War
Also includes smaller stories about people (dead and living) and philosophical discourses
What is the purpose of Hinduism?
Recognize one’s higher self and perform the duties and actions in order to free one’s self from the cycle of rebirth and death
Once freed, one’s higher self returns to Brahman and eternal peace
How did Ashoka promote Buddhism during his rule?
Ashoka created programs advocating Buddhist thought and principles
Established monasteries and gave to Buddhist communities
Created Edicts of Ashoka to encourage Buddhist thought and values
What are the Four Noble Truths?
Life is suffering
The cause of suffering is craving
The end of suffering comes with an end to craving
There is a path which leads one away from craving and suffering
In what ways did Samudraupta show his rajdharma?
Donated money to various philanthropic purposes (including education)
Poet and musician
Promoted goodwill among various religious communities
Describe the different aspects of Harappan Culture (including general culture, developments, agriculture, religion).
Culture: People were primarily artisans, farmers, merchants; No evidence of standing military, temple, palaces; Each city seems to have had its own governor; Possibly some form of centralized government to achieve uniformity of cities
Developments: Soapstone seals, The wheel, carts, boats, possibly the sail
Agriculture: Irrigation techniques and canals for farming, Farming implements and tools, Different areas for cattle grazing and crop rotation
Religion: Ultimately unknown and any suggestions are speculative, Possible fertility rituals for harvest and pregnant women evidenced by figurines, amulets, May have worshipped a Mother Goddess deity who had a male consort
What are the five levels of the caste system?
Brahmana (priests and scholars)
Kshatriya (warriors)
Vaishya (farmers and merchants)
Shudra (laborers)
Lowest caste: Dalists (the untouchables)
In what ways was Ashoka a Buddhist king?
Ashoka renounced war and ruled peacefully
Made himself always available to his subjects
Upheld laws for all, not just the wealthy
Did not make Buddhism official religion of the Empire
(Did not disband military and evidence suggests the military was still used)
What are the Four Signs and what do they teach?
An aged man, A sick man, A dead man, A religious man
Life is essentially defined by suffering from want or loss and to achieve enlightenment one has to stop suffering
Describe how the government worked during the Gupta Empire.
Geographical location of the areas/kings determined the “category” of government
Areas in the south: Local kings left in charge of government and administration
Areas in the north: Local kings removed and replaced
Areas within the empire: Local kings in charge of local government and administration while reporting to Chandragupta
Areas on border of empire: Local kings annexed and removed from power