INDIA: ONE LAND, MANY FACES

INDIA: ONE LAND, MANY FACES

-          a triangular peninsula in South Asia that is often considered a subcontinent due to its geographical & cultural differences form the rest of Asia.

3000 B.C.

Ø  Harappan and Mohenjo-Daro civilization – people  who settled in Indus Valley in India had a high culture (mathematics, engineering, architecture, painting, sculpture, government, writing and industries) 

INDIA: ONE LAND, MANY FACES

2000 B.C.

Ø  after the Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan civilization, the fair-skinned ARYANS invaded the Indus Valley (ARYANS-belonged to the white race and spoke Sanskrit)

Ø  the ARYANS conquered the dark-complexioned DRAVIDIANS  who were then inhabiting the valley

Ø  the DRAVIDIANS fled southward and settled in South India

Ø  the ARYANS occupied the fertile plains of North India and founded different Kingdoms and later called themselves HINDUS

Þ    farmers, herders and valiant warriors

Þ    skilled potters, carpenters, mason, weavers silversmiths

Þ    traded w/ foreign countries (Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, Iran)

HINDUISM – world’s oldest organized religion

-          80% of India in Hindu

-          polytheistic religion

-           believe that man can attain true happiness if his soul merges with that of BRAHMA

-          BRAHMA – Chief God – the “World Soul”

-          VEDAS – ancient poems and hymns where the doctrines and basics of Hinduism are written

3 CONCEPTS THAT DEFINE HINDUISM

1. Reincarnation

- the soul must undergo the process of purification through birth and rebirth until he is detached from earthly life and discover who he really is and becomes a part of the universal soul called atman

2. Karma

- the sum total of one’s actions and behavior that will determine one’s fate in the next life. This will determine if the Indian soul will be reborn to a higher or lower state or whether it should be released from its earthly life to be part of atman.

3. Caste system

- very rigid social class system

a) Brahmas – priests & scholars

b) Kshatriyas – nobles & warriors

c) Vaishyas – farmers, merchants & craftsmen

d) Sudras – peasants & workers

**Pariahs(outcastes)  - did not belong to any caste (untouchables)

FAMOUS TRINITY OF HINDU GODS

• Brahma – the Creator
• Vishnu – the Preserver
• Shiva – the Destroyer