2. India’s Location
India’s northern
border starts on the
southern edge of the
continent of Asia. The
Himalaya is a
mountain system
which blocks off India
from the rest of Asia.
This makes India a
subcontinent.
3. India’s Climate
India’s climate, or usual
weather, has monsoons, or
strong winds. The winter
monsoon blows in cold, dry air
from the mountains. The
summer monsoon brings
warm, wet air from the
Arabian Sea. Summer
monsoons bring the rainy
season.
4. Language Family
Around 1900 B.C., the people of
the Indus Valley began to leave
their cities. Soon, people called
the Aryans began settling the
river valley.
The Aryans came from central
Asia. They were nomads, so they
traveled around to find food for
their herds of cattle. The Aryans
were not a single race or a tribe.
They were a group of people
who spoke similar languages.
This language family was
called Indo-European
5. Sanskrit
The early Aryans did not write things
down when they were nomads. When
they became farmers, they developed a
written language called Sanskrit. Using
Sanskrit, they wrote down sales and trade
information.
6. Vedas
They also wrote down songs, stories,
poems, and prayers in sacred books called
the Vedas.
7. Raja
The Aryans lived in
groups, each ruled
by a raja, or prince.
Rajas often fought
with each other over
treasure and cattle.
8. Caste
In the Aryan society, social groups
developed. They became the caste
system.
A person was born into one caste
and could never change to any
other. The caste system had rules
for almost every part of life,
including marriage, work, and
friendships.
The many different castes in Indian
society were grouped into four
classes called varnas.
Brahmins- who were priests.
Kshatriyas, the warriors. They ran
the government and the army.
Vaisyas, or ―common‖ people.‖
They were farmers, craftspeople,
and merchants.
Sudras. They were lower-class
workers and servants who had few
rights. Most Indians were Sudras.
One group was too low to be part of
the caste system—known as the
Harijan or the untouchables.
9. India Vocabulary
Harappa and Mohenjo Daro– large cities along the Indus
River. These cities were apart of the Harappan Civilization
which was the first civilization in India
Aryan– this group of people arrived in the Indus Valley who
became a dominant group in India after the Harappan
Civilization.
Sanskrit—written and spoken language of the Aryans. It is no
longer spoken today but it is the root language of many South
Asia languages.
Vedas—collection of Aryan poems, hymns, myths, religious
writings and rituals that were written by Aryan priests. Much
of what we know about the Aryan civilization is from the
Vedas.
10. India Vocabulary
Caste System– divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth
and occupation.
Varnas—social divisions in Aryan society.
Hinduism– largest religion in India today. Created by the blending of the Vedas and
other religions texts.
Major beliefs of Hinduism:
◦ A universal spirit called the Brahman created the universe and everything in
it. Everything in the world is apart of the Brahman
◦ Every person has a soul that will eventually join the Brahman
◦ People’s souls are reincarnated (reborn) many times before they can join
the Brahman
◦ A person’s karma (the effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s
soul)affects how he or she will be reincarnated.
Three Major Hindu Gods:
◦ Brahma—the Creator
◦ Siva—the Destroyer
◦ Vishnu– the Preserver
11. Brahma: the Creator.
Four heads symbolize the
four Vedas
Siva: the Destroyer is
usually shown with four
arms and three eyes.
•Vishnu: the
Preserver is usually
shown with four
arms carrying a
conch shell, a mace
and a discuss to
symbolize his power
and greatness.
12. India Vocabulary
Sidhartha– prince in northern India who felt like
something was missing; he began to ask questions about
the meaning of life. He traveled across India looking for
answers. Throughout his journey he would fast (go without
eating) and mediate (focusing his mind on spiritual ideas).
Eventually he became enlightened with during on his
mediation session he realized three things about human
suffering. They are:
Wanting what we like but do not have
Wanting to keep what we like and already have
Not wanting what we dislike but have
This realization allowed Sidhartha to be called ―Buddha
(Enlightened One)‖
Buddhism– the religion based on the teaching of Buddha
13. India Vocabulary
Four Noble Truths– Guiding principles for Buddhism
◦ 1.) Suffering and unhappiness is apart of human life. No one can
escape it
◦ 2.) Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material
goods. People cause their own misery because they want things
they cannot have.
◦ 3.) People can overcome their desires and ignorance and reach
nirvana (state of perfect peace). Reaching nirvana would free a
person’s soul from suffering and from the need for further
reincarnation.
◦ 4.) People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an
eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment and salvation.
Eightfold Path– ideas to follow in order to reach nirvana.
They are: right thought, right intent, right speech, right
action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and
right concentration.
14. India Vocabulary
Mauryan Empire– Empire that is credited with
unifying India. Their armies used mercenaries (hired
soldiers).
Asoka—Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism.
Once he converted he worked hard to spread the Buddhist
teachings. He sent missionaries around Asia. Through his
efforts Buddhism became one of Asia’s major religions.
15. India Vocabulary
Gupta Empire– Empire created 500 years after the
Mauryan Empire. The Gupta Empire reunited India again.
Their leaders promoted Hinduism.
