Ancient Indian Civilizations Overview

Study Notes

India is one of the earliest civilizations, alongside Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.
Harappan Civilization emerged in the Indus Valley (modern-day Pakistan and India).
Harappans developed advanced systems comparable to those of Egypt.
Mohenjo-Daro, a city in the Indus Valley, existed around 2500 BCE.

The Aryans, warrior shepherds, integrated with Harappan beliefs to form Hinduism.
Hinduism is an ancient religion developed over time from a blend of beliefs and practices.
Hinduism focuses on the three primary processes of creation, preservation, and destruction (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama.
Siddhartha Gautama's holiness garnered widespread acclaim across India.
Buddhists practice meditation, which focuses thoughts on a single object or idea, without praying to a higher being.
Reincarnation is a process in both Hinduism and Buddhism, where souls are believed to live in many bodies over many lives.
Hinduism aims for union with Brahma.

Viharas are Buddhist monasteries.
Early Viharas were simple wooden structures or cave shelters for wandering monks during rainy seasons.
Stupas are small round burial shrines built over grave sites containing Buddha relics.
Stupas promote opportunities for meditation, a significant part of Buddhist ideology.

Early Buddhist sculptures showed scenes from Buddha's life.
Buddha was not depicted directly, instead symbols were used – an example of a wheel placed on an empty throne represented the circle of life, maturity and death.

Shiva Nataraja, the Dancing Lord, is a significant figure.
Multiple arms portray divine graceful movement while holding various objects.
A drum symbolizes creation.
Flame signifies destruction.
An uplifted hand protects the faithful, while a pointed foot symbolizes escape from ignorance.

Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form.
Created by patterns on floors and walls to adorn homes & temples using materials like colored rice, dry flour, colored sand, or flower petals.
Created commonly during the Diwali festival.