Ancient Indian History

Important People in the India Unit

• Aryans introduced Sanskrit, Varna system, unified Hinduism, used cows as currency, and utilized iron weapons and chariots in India around 2000 BC.
• Siddhartha Gautama, a Hindu prince, became the Buddha, discovering the cause of suffering and developing Buddhism's core teachings.
• Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in the 320s BC, establishing a thriving government and economy.
• Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya's grandson, converted to Buddhism, promoting non-violence and religious tolerance.
• Chandra Gupta I founded the Gupta Empire, unifying smaller states and promoting religious tolerance.
• Chandra Gupta II led the Gupta Empire during its "Golden Age," fostering advancements in science, technology, and promoting Hinduism.
• Babur founded the Mughal Empire, uniting split kingdoms but was intolerant of other religions.
• Akbar strengthened the Mughal Empire, adopting a policy of religious tolerance and cultural achievements.
• Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
• Mohandas Gandhi led the Indian independence movement, advocating for civil disobedience, non-violent protests, and economic self-sufficiency, leading to India's independence from British rule in 1947.

Important Civilizations/Entities in the India Unit

• Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) developed along the Indus River, notable for urban planning, architecture, and sophisticated sewage systems.
• Vedic Society was established by the Aryans, marked by the introduction of Sanskrit and the development of Hinduism and the Varna system.
• Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, notable for its strong centralized government and the spread of Buddhism under Ashoka.
• Gupta Empire was founded by Chandra Gupta I, experiencing a "Golden Age" of Indian culture, science, and technology under Chandra Gupta II.
• Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, expanded and culturally enriched under Akbar, and renowned for architectural achievements like the Taj Mahal.
• British East India Company established control over large parts of India in the 1600s, later functioning under increasing British government oversight.
• British India was a period of direct rule by the British government following the Sepoy Rebellion, leading to significant infrastructural development and exploitation until India's independence in 1947.

Important People in the China Unit

• Shi-Huang Di, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, established a strong centralized government and standardized various aspects of Chinese society.
• Liu Bang, Founder of the Han Dynasty, led China into a period often referred to as a "golden age."
• Wudi, Emperor of the Han Dynasty, expanded China's territory and promoted Confucianism as the main government philosophy.
• Genghis Khan, Founder of the Mongol Empire, was known for his military conquests and creation of the largest empire in history.
• Marco Polo, a Venetian explorer, visited China during the Yuan Dynasty, documented his travels, and introduced Europeans to Chinese technology and culture.
• Mao Zedong, Founding father of the People's Republic of China, led the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and established Communist rule in China.
• Chiang Kai-Shek, Leader of the nationalist (democratic) movement in China, opposed the CCP during the Chinese Civil War.
• Deng Xiaoping, a Chinese politician and reformer, deviated from Maoist Communist policies in favor of more capitalist economic policies, leading to immense economic growth in China.