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Ancient India

And

Ancient China

Early Societies in South AsiaEarly Societies in South Asia

Foundations of Harappan Society

Indus River Foundations

A major society was built by Dravidian peoples, c. 3000- BC. The cultivated cotton before 5000 BC and poultry. The society declined after 1900 BC. The Harappan society centered around the cities of Harappa (Punjab Region) and Mohenjo-Daro (mouth of Indus River). These sites, in relation to their size and layout, are the largest for their age and unlike any other cities of the ancient world.

Foundations of Harappan Society

Indus River Foundations

A major society was built by Dravidian peoples, c. 3000- BC. The cultivated cotton before 5000 BC and poultry. The society declined after 1900 BC. The Harappan society centered around the cities of Harappa (Punjab Region) and Mohenjo-Daro (mouth of Indus River). These sites, in relation to their size and layout, are the largest for their age and unlike any other cities of the ancient world.

Harappan Society

Mohenjo-daro Ruins Mohenjo-Daro possessed a population of up to 40,000. As a region center, the architectural layout of the city suggests a public purpose – broad streets, citadel, pool, sewage. Religiously their main gods and goddesses were fertility deities, and there is evidence that these figures and concepts survived in various forms in later Hinduism. Mohenjo-daro Ruins Mohenjo-Daro possessed a population of up to 40,000. As a region center, the architectural layout of the city suggests a public purpose – broad streets, citadel, pool, sewage. Religiously their main gods and goddesses were fertility deities, and there is evidence that these figures and concepts survived in various forms in later Hinduism.

Harappan Society

Mysterious End

Reasons for the end of Harappan Society remain unclear

• Excessive deforestation, loss of topsoil? Earthquakes? Flooding? Evidence of unburied dead It is believed that Population pressures and ecological degradation led to their decline around 2000 BC
• with total disappearance by 1500 BC Harappan traditions survived
• agricultural practices, religious beliefs, and urban traditions

Mysterious End

Reasons for the end of Harappan Society remain unclear

• Excessive deforestation, loss of topsoil? Earthquakes? Flooding? Evidence of unburied dead It is believed that Population pressures and ecological degradation led to their decline around 2000 BC
• with total disappearance by 1500 BC Harappan traditions survived
• agricultural practices, religious beliefs, and urban traditions

Harappan Society

Aryan Culture and Society Aryans, light-skinned invaders from the north, arrived in India c. 2000 BC. They subdued the native Dravidians. The Aryans had a pastoral community with sheep, goats, horses, and cattle, but came to rely more on agriculture than herding. They also began more structured political institutions and built regional kingdoms, but never came close to substantial political unification. Most information about the Aryans comes from the collection of religious hymns known as the Vedas , especially the Rig Veda. Aryan Culture and Society Aryans, light-skinned invaders from the north, arrived in India c. 2000 BC. They subdued the native Dravidians. The Aryans had a pastoral community with sheep, goats, horses, and cattle, but came to rely more on agriculture than herding. They also began more structured political institutions and built regional kingdoms, but never came close to substantial political unification. Most information about the Aryans comes from the collection of religious hymns known as the Vedas , especially the Rig Veda.

Aryan Society

The Vedic Age The Four Main Castes (1000 bc)

1. Brahmins (priests), 2. Kshatriyas (warriors and nobles) 3. Vaishyas (artisans and merchants) 4. Shudras (peasants and serfs) A few centuries later the Harijan (untouchables) were added. Thousands of Jati (sub-castes) would arise later based mainly on occupation. The Vedic Age The Four Main Castes (1000 bc) 1. Brahmins (priests), 2. Kshatriyas (warriors and nobles) 3. Vaishyas (artisans and merchants) 4. Shudras (peasants and serfs) A few centuries later the Harijan (untouchables) were added. Thousands of Jati (sub-castes) would arise later based mainly on occupation.

Aryan Society

Patriarchy in Ancient Indian Society The society would remain staunchly patriarchal as expressed in the Lawbook of Manu and by the practice of sati. Lawbook of Manu

• (^) Dealt with proper moral behavior and social relationships
• (^) Caste, Jati, inheritance through male line Patriarchy in Ancient Indian Society The society would remain staunchly patriarchal as expressed in the Lawbook of Manu and by the practice of sati. Lawbook of Manu
• (^) Dealt with proper moral behavior and social relationships
• (^) Caste, Jati, inheritance through male line

Aryan Society

Teachings of the Upanishads Upanishad Texts (800-400 bc) Aryan religion evolved, inspired by native Dravidian views. These texts examined the relationship between every individual and Brahma, the universal soul.

• (^) Samsara (transmigration of the soul)
• (^) Karma (sum of good and bad deeds that would determine one’s position in the next life)
• (^) The main goal was to escape the pain and suffering of eternal rebirth and reach the state of Moksha. Teachings of the Upanishads Upanishad Texts (800-400 bc) Aryan religion evolved, inspired by native Dravidian views. These texts examined the relationship between every individual and Brahma, the universal soul.
• (^) Samsara (transmigration of the soul)
• (^) Karma (sum of good and bad deeds that would determine one’s position in the next life)
• (^) The main goal was to escape the pain and suffering of eternal rebirth and reach the state of Moksha.

Upanishads

Early Society in East AsiaEarly Society in East Asia

Early Agricultural Society Huang He (Yellow River) The first societies in China developed along the fertile banks of the Yellow River, despite the fact that its long history of devastating flooding has earned it the nickname “China’s Sorrow.” Early Agricultural Society Huang He (Yellow River) The first societies in China developed along the fertile banks of the Yellow River, despite the fact that its long history of devastating flooding has earned it the nickname “China’s Sorrow.” Political Organization in Early China The yellow river as depicted in Qin Dynasty Chinese landscape painting

Early Agricultural Society Yangshao (5000 - 3000 bc) The Yangshao society, centered around the neolithic village at Banpo, is the earliest evidence of civilization in China. Early Agricultural Society Yangshao (5000 - 3000 bc) The Yangshao society, centered around the neolithic village at Banpo, is the earliest evidence of civilization in China. Political Organization in Early China

Shang Dynasty (1766 – 1122 bc) Early Sudanic Agriculture The Shang power lay in their Monopolization of bronze metallurgy. This allowed them to have a powerful military state and political organization. Shang Dynasty (1766 – 1122 bc) Early Sudanic Agriculture The Shang power lay in their Monopolization of bronze metallurgy. This allowed them to have a powerful military state and political organization. Political Organization in Early China

Shang Dynasty Ao – Major City There is evidence of human sacrifice at Ao. No inscriptions appeared on oracle bones during this time. Ao was a typical design for Shang settlements. Shang Dynasty Ao – Major City There is evidence of human sacrifice at Ao. No inscriptions appeared on oracle bones during this time. Ao was a typical design for Shang settlements. Political Organization in Early China