Ancient Indian

Inventions

(Image 1)

Geography of India

India is located in southern Asia. The northwest is bordered by the Himalayas while the northeast is bordered by the Hindu Kush mountains, and most of India forms a peninsula which is bordered by the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Two major rivers in India include the Indus and Ganges, which are important because they provided fertile land.

Map of India showing rivers

(Image 2)

-Izabella

The three religions and their symbols

(Image 3)

Michael

Religions of Ancient India

India has had multiple religions but the three main ones are Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, originating in the Indian subcontinent and considered a way of life that blends philosophy, culture, and religion with no single founder. Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development that aims to achieve liberation from suffering by following the teachings of the Buddha. Jainism is centered on nonviolence and self control, teaching that the path to liberation from the cycle of rebirth is through a life of harmlessness and spiritual discipline

Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus civilization developed in the 3000 BCE. Big ancient civilizations started beginning in India around 2600 BCE. The Indus Valley civilization was in northwest India. Important innovations; seal carvings, copper, lead, tin, bronze, and standardized weights. They civilization probably ended because of climate change and migration.

A town of the Indus Valley Civilization

(Image 4)

-Emma

A birds-eye view of Mohenjo Daro showing the excellent city planning of that time

(Image 5)

-Vera

Mohenjo Daro and Harappa

Both located on the Indus River, Mohenjo Daro and Harappa were the two largest cities that the people of the Indus Valley civilization lived in. The grid-like patterns of the streets exhibited the advanced city planning, and the dense walls surrounding the city along with the sturdy brick houses demonstrated their exemplary architecture. Some of these houses had bathrooms that were connected to an underground plumbing system, and there were also irrigation systems that allowed for growing wheat and barley. A system of standardized weights and measures were developed, displaying their knowledge of mathematics (Dowling).

Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan Empire centered at Pataliputra founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 323 BCE was the first empire in the Indian subcontinent. The empire spanned across central and northern India. The empire introduced Buddhism, large stone pillars inscribed with edicts, and Arthashastra, which is a treatise about leadership and government. The downfall of the Maruryan dynasty is considered when Brihadratha, the last ruler, was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BCE.

Writing of the major Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, called the "Edicts of Ashoka"

(Image 6)

-Ariana

Map of India during the Gupta empire

(Image 7)

-Noemi

Gupta Empire

The Gupta empire was perhaps one of the most important periods in Ancient India. The Gupta lasted from about 320 CE to 550 CE. This time is most commonly known as the golden age of India. They focused on things like political stability, religious tolerance, economic prosperity, and cultural and intellectual advancements. They enjoyed having peace and stability which led to economic and cultural growth. The economy was based on trade and at this point trade was flourishing. This set up the Gupta for economic prosperity. They not only had economic and political growth, but they also had many educational advancements such as literature, mathematics, science, etc., as well as a big rise in art and culture. Although the Gupta was an amazing time in India's history it did eventually fall. The Gupta empire ended due to invasions, problems with power, and succession struggles. Although it fell it left a lasting impact and legacy throughout all of India.

Other Interesting Images

Timeline

Room 1 Literature
Noemi

This room includes vivid images and examples of ancient Indian literature. It gives detailed descriptions about why, when, and how literature is and was important.

(Image 13)

Room 2 Architecture
Michael

This room contains information about ancient Indian architecture. Discussing from when it first appeared all the way to modern day architecture.

(Image 14)

Room 3 Textiles
Izabella

This room consists of images and detailed descriptions on how textiles were made, developed, and how they impacted trade and cultures around the world.

(Image 15)

Room 4 Mathematics
Vera

This room is comprised of detailed information about the development of mathematics in Ancient India and how it was used

(Image 16)

Room 5 Plumbing
Ariana

This room contains images and detailed information about how plumbing was used in Ancient India.

(Image 17)

Room 6 Medicine
Emma

This room contains information about ancient Indian medicine. It provides specific details on how Ancient Indian medicine affected their society and culture from ancient times to the modern age.

(Image 18)

Other Interesting Websites:

https://www.worldhistory.org/india/ - This website is very informative, going very in depth about each of the empires and civilizations, along with images to enhance the information.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ancient-civilizations-india/ - Not as in depth as the first website, but covers other interesting information about each time period.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/ancient-india-living-traditions - Gives interesting information about the religions of Ancient India, as well as different artifacts important to each one.