Grade: Grade 6 Subject: Social Studies Unit: Ancient Civilizations Lesson: 3 of 6 SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Ancient India

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Ancient India produced one of the world's earliest civilizations along the Indus River Valley, followed by classical Indian empires that made lasting contributions to mathematics, science, religion, and philosophy.

The Indus Valley Civilization (2600-1900 BCE)

The Indus Valley Civilization, also called the Harappan Civilization, flourished in modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. Key features included:

  • Planned cities: Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa had grid-pattern streets, advanced drainage systems, and standardized brick sizes
  • Trade networks: Merchants traded with Mesopotamia, exchanging cotton, precious stones, and copper
  • Writing system: The Indus script remains undeciphered but appears on seals and pottery
  • Decline: The civilization mysteriously declined around 1900 BCE, possibly due to climate change or river shifts

The Vedic Period and Hinduism

After 1500 BCE, the Aryans migrated into India, bringing Sanskrit language and the Vedas (sacred texts). This period saw the development of:

  • Hinduism: One of the world's oldest religions, with beliefs in karma, dharma, and reincarnation
  • Caste system: A social hierarchy that organized society into distinct groups
  • Sanskrit literature: Epic poems like the Mahabharata and Ramayana

The Maurya Empire (322-185 BCE)

Chandragupta Maurya unified most of India under one rule. His grandson Ashoka became one of history's most remarkable rulers:

  • After a bloody war, Ashoka converted to Buddhism and promoted non-violence
  • He built roads, hospitals, and rest houses throughout the empire
  • His edicts (carved in stone) promoted religious tolerance and ethical behavior

The Gupta Empire (320-550 CE) - The Golden Age

The Gupta period is considered India's Golden Age due to achievements in:

  • Mathematics: Invention of the concept of zero and the decimal system
  • Astronomy: Aryabhata calculated Earth's circumference and proposed it rotated on its axis
  • Medicine: Surgeons performed complex operations; hospitals were established
  • Art and architecture: Cave temples at Ajanta with beautiful murals

Practice Questions

Question 1

What were the two major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?

Question 2

What advanced urban features did Indus Valley cities have?

Question 3

What are the Vedas?

Question 4

Name three core beliefs of Hinduism.

Question 5

Who was Ashoka and why is he significant?

Question 6

What major change did Ashoka make after the Kalinga War?

Question 7

What mathematical concepts originated in ancient India?

Question 8

Why is the Gupta period called India's Golden Age?

Question 9

What did the astronomer Aryabhata contribute to science?

Question 10

How did geography (the Indus and Ganges rivers) influence Indian civilization?

Answer Key

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1. Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa

2. Grid-pattern streets, advanced drainage and sewage systems, standardized brick sizes, public baths

3. Ancient Sanskrit sacred texts that form the foundation of Hinduism

4. Karma (actions have consequences), dharma (moral duty), and reincarnation (rebirth of the soul)

5. Ashoka was a Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism and promoted peace, religious tolerance, and ethical governance

6. He converted to Buddhism and renounced violence, promoting peace throughout his empire

7. The concept of zero, the decimal (base-10) number system, and early algebra

8. Major advances were made in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, art, and literature during this peaceful era

9. He calculated Earth's circumference, proposed that Earth rotates on its axis, and made astronomical calculations

10. Rivers provided water for agriculture, enabled trade, and supported large urban populations in fertile valleys