View of the Gondeshvara Temple in Sinnar, India
Courtesy Corel Professional Photos
Summary
For thousands of years, India was cut off from much of the ancient world by the great wall on its northern border—the Himalaya Mountains, the highest mountain range on earth. This isolation allowed the ancient civilizations of India to develop in their own ways, giving rise to cultures and religions that remained basically unaffected by outside influences.
Internet Activities
Click on Internet Activities at the left for help in completing the Take It to the Net activity on page 119 of your textbook. In this activity, you will explore India's culture and history.
Section 1: The Indus and Ganges River Valleys
The Himalaya Mountains shielded India from invaders. The fertile river valleys and dependable rains encouraged early farmers to grow surplus crops. This surplus allowed large cities to develop and flourish.
Section 2: The Beginnings of Hinduism
Hinduism developed from a blend of prehistoric customs and the beliefs of Indian people. Hindus believe in one religious spirit. They believe in reincarnation and that a person's behavior in this life determines the soul's position in the next life.
Section 3: The Beginnings of Buddhism
A Hindu prince's search for the meaning of life developed into the major religion called Buddhism. The Buddha taught that human suffering is caused by selfish desires for power, wealth, and pleasure. The way a person can become free from suffering is by giving up these selfish desires.
Section 4: The Golden Age of Maurya India
The Maurya empire was founded in the early 300s B.C. and stretched from north to central India. The empire's wealth was earned mainly through trade and was used to improve the empire.