Importance of Geography Natural/Physical Barriers of Protection

Mountain ranges in Northern India – Himalayas and Hindu Kush○ Khyber Pass provided entrance routes for

people to migrate into the Indian subcontinent.India Ocean isolated India by water.

Geographical (Natural) Protection

RiversGanges and Indus

River provided fertile farmland and ready supply of water.

Monsoons came from India Ocean and provided rainfall.

India’s River Valleys

Early Indus River Valley Civilizations Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro civilizations

Discovered by archeologists in the 19th century, settled in 2500 BCE in the Indus River Valley (modern day Pakistan)

Cities were 350 miles apart from each other, but they shared many common characteristics.

○ Sophisticated urban planning – city streets, pools, sewer system & plumbing

○ Buildings made of mud brick○ Controlled the Indus River through levees and

dykes for crops. Used irrigation – grew many crops such as

wheat, barley, and rice.Collapsed around 1500 BCE

Aryans Invasion

Invaded the Indian Subcontinent in 1500 BCE, possibly through the Khyber Pass.

Easily took over due to advanced military technology, the chariot.

Asserted their dominance early through military.

Culture and LanguagePolitically unstable civilization – Divided into smaller

kingdoms.○ Ruled by local chiefs who were military in nature.

Great Cultural influence○ Sanskrit: Aryan language, becomes a written

language. Poems written in books called Vedas.

Social SystemCaste System: social class system based on

heredity○ People were born into the class of their birth

parents and could not change their caste or class through any means.

○ Brahman, kshatriyas, vaisyas, pariahs.Caste system is found in Hinduism.

Mauryan Empire Beginnings

Established by King Maurya in India in 321 BCE.

Believed war would give him fame, he amassed a huge army to conquer India.

King AshokaGrandson of Maurya, took power of Mauryan

Empire in 268 until 232.Early years of rule, very militaristic. Estimated

killing at least 100,000 people.Experience a life change that changed his life

and kingdom – converts to Buddhism.

○Follows Buddhist (Siddhartha’s) teachings.○Spreads Buddhism, constructs hospitals,

veterinary clinics, builds roads.Rule brought peace and prosperity to India.

Gupta Empire Existed from 320 CE to

550 CE in India Empire only lasted for

200 years or so, but it was considered India’s Golden Age

Golden Age:Mathematics (concept of zero)Medical advancements (setting of bones)Astronomy (concept of round earth)New textiles and literature