Arrival of Aryans

Settled in Indus Valley Used force to control the natives

Many assimilated to the Aryan culture

Four Social Classes

Brahmans

Priests and scholars Highest class Rulers and soldiers Second highest class Merchants and professionals Third highest class Servants Last class

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

Shudras

Social Classes

In time, gave way to a caste system

Group of people within a social class Became part of the teaching of Hinduism

Religion of the Indian people

Teaches that people live many lives until they reach spiritual perfection Soul lives on after death and returns to life in a new body

Reincarnation

Those who obey its teachings and lead good lives will be reborn into a higher caste

Hinduism

Those who did not lead a good life will be reborn into lower life-forms Worship many gods

All considered part of one universal being called Brahman Three main forms of Brahman

Brahma the Creator Vishnu the Preserver Shiva the Destroyer

Hinduism

Sanskrit

Language of the Aryans Language spoken by the gods

Vedas

Aryans holiest books Knowledge

Jainism

Based on the belief that every living being has a soul and a temporary physical body Rejected the Vedas Mahavira (founder)

Spent 12 years seeking enlightenment

Complete understanding of truth

Urged vegetarianism Peaceful action (nonviolence)

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

Enlightened One

Following eight basic rules (eightfold path)

Believed that people should seek love, truth, the joy of knowledge, and a calm mind Four Noble Truths

Can end a persons cycle of reincarnation and lead to nirvana

Suffering is part of life Wanting things brings suffering People can find peace by giving up wants

State of complete bliss that is free from all passion, desire, and suffering

United Rule in India

Chandragupta Maurya (ruler)

Trade flourished Agriculture improved Weights and measures were made standard Rules in a strict manner

Forced people to work as slaves for the government Demanded high taxes from people Made servants taste his drink in case it was poisoned Slept in a different room every night to avoid attackers

Fearful of attacks

Gave up the throne to his son Bindusara

Reign of Ashoka

Chandraguptas grandson Emperor

Ruled forcefully
Invaded kingdom of Kalinga

Many died Regretted the invasion Led to spreading message of nonviolence based on Buddha

Sent missionaries to spread Buddhism

People sent somewhere else to teach about religion

Gupta Empire

Chandragupta I Through marriage and war, expanded his territory across northern India Son and grandson also expanded, but never grew as large as the Maurya Empire Safe and happy place during this time

Classical Age of India

Time of achievements in Indian art, literature, mathematics and medicine Many temples built and frescos painted

Picture painted with wet plaster

Developed base 10 number system & decimals

Chinas Great Dynasties

Zhou Dynasty

Longest-ruling dynasty 3 Class Social Structure

King & his family

Noble families Peasant families

Common people who farmed the land

Nobles exchanged land for loyalty and protection

Feudalism

Nobles came to rule their own territory, weakening the Dynasty

Confucius

One of the most important Chinese philosophers (thinkers) Great Master Kong Spent most of his life thinking about ways to improve society and to restore order in China Remembered as a great teacher Children expected to treat parents with honor and respect

Filial piety

Fulfilling ones duty to ones parents by being respectful to them, following their wishes, and caring for them in their wishes, and caring for them in their old age

Qin Dynasty

Shi Huangdi

Depended on Legalism

Taught that people obeyed their rulers out of fear, not out of respect Those that obeyed, were rewarded Those that didnt obey, were punished

Setup a bureaucracy Network of appointed government officials

Great Wall

Ruled harshly Brought important changes to China Formed strong central government

Several hundred thousand workers 10 years Many died from hunger and overwork Some buried inside the wall itself

Shi Huangdi

Many were unhappy with his harsh rule and heavy taxation Led to a civil war

Died and the Qin dynasty collapsed

Han Dynasty

Relied on ideas of both Confucianism and Legalism More people were employed in the civil service

Day-to-day running of the government

Education grew Taught Daoism

Key to a long life and happiness is to accept life as it is Seismograph

Important inventions

Instrument that detects and measures earthquakes

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