Social Studies 8
Ms. Derrick
Name:
Period:
All About India
Topic
Important Information
 Location of India and nearby countries:
South Asia; between Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
Borders Pakistan, Nepal, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan
Geographical features & their purpose. Any similarities to China or Canada?
1. Mountains
-Keep out invaders
-Barrier to different weather and climate
Geography &
Climate
(pgs. 340-342)
2. Rivers
-Source of water
-Used for trade and transport
3. Seas/ Oceans
-Explorers and merchants would dock ships
4. Agricultural land
-Beneficial for farming
What Confuses
Me
 Problems that geography & nature cause in India:
-Flooding due to heavy monsoons
-Heat can damage crops
-Bodies of water can bring invaders
 When did the Indus Civilization take place?
2500 BCE to 1500 BCE
 What were some of the accomplishments of the Indus Civilization?
-Ancient cities included streets, private homes, public baths, shops
-Cotton textiles
-Contact with other civilizations and engaged in trade
-Used fertile soil for agriculture
Indus Civilization
and Aryan
 List some facts about the Aryans:
Invaders
-War-like and nomadic chariots, archery
(pgs.343-344)
-Believed in many gods and made offerings
-Developed the caste system to organize society around
-Indo-European language called Sanskrit (later Hindi and Punjabi)
 What is a caste? Can you name some castes? Do you think there are still
castes in India?
-A social group limited to persons of the same rank
-Brahman (priest), Kshatriya (warrior), Vaishya (commoner), Sudra (slave)
-Yes, there are still people who believe in the caste system, but it is not as
prominent as it once was
What Confuses
Me
The Northern
and Southern
Empires
(pgs. 345-346)
 Was southern India often invaded? Why or why not?
-No, because it was protected by the Vindhya Range and the rocky Deccan
Plateau and the Eastern and Western Ghats
What Confuses
Me
 Which European invaded northern India in 330 BCE?
-Alexander the Great (claimed part of Pakistan but did not hold power long)
The Northern
and Southern
Empires
(pgs. 345-346)
 Who was Ashoka and what were some of his accomplishments?
-Grandson of Chandragupta
-Brought together almost all of India
-Many people killed in battles led by him, but then converted to Buddhism
and believed killing was wrong
-Improved villages by creating wells and planting trees, offering medical aid
-Believed in religious tolerance
-Eventually became monk
 Who created the Gupta Empire and what nickname does the empire have? What Confuses
Me
-Chandragupta; the “Golden Age”
The Gupta Intro
& Economy
(pgs. 347-348)
Describe 3 types of employment during the Gupta Empire:
1. Farmers
-Lived in villages
-Taxed for income
-Money went to royal treasury and supported temples and priests
-
The Gupta Intro
& Economy
(pgs. 347-348)
2. Artisans
-Craftsperson
-Belonged to specialized guilds called shreni
-Produced cloth, pottery, metalware, oils
-Shared profits collectively
-Membership usually hereditary
3. Traders & explorers
-Regular trade with China and the Romans
 What is a caste (hint: pg. 344) and how did they affect Gupta society?
-3000 castes developed
-People forbidden to marry outside of caste; forbidden to socialize with
others
-Occupations depended on caste
The Gupta Intro
& Social Life &
Intellectual Life
(pg. 347 & 349)
What Confuses
Me
 What was the status of women during the Gupta Empire? Was it better or
worse than in Medieval Europe? Explain
-Declined during this time
-Could sometimes own property
-Higher caste women confined to home
-Some women performed sati (throw themselves on fire) b/c widows
shunned
-Sons > daughters (could take care of parents more)
What Confuses
Me
 What were some of the “intellectual” aspects of life that flourished under
Gupta rule?
-Monasteries for religion and philosophy
-Mathematics (numbering system and decimal) and physics
-Languages
-Art (Buddhist and Hindu gods), esp. in nature
The Gupta Intro
& Social Life &
Intellectual Life
(pg. 347 & 349)
The Muslim
Conquest
(pgs. 358-362)
What Confuses
Me
 The Gupta Empire is often called the “Golden Age.” Do you think it is
similar to the “Golden Age” in Ancient China, the Tang Dynasty? Why or
why not?
 What is a sultanate? What religion did these sultans believe in, and what
country did they originally come from?
-Rule by a sultan (Muslim ruler)
-Believed in Islam and originally from Turkey
 In 1206, which city was created? What is its importance in the present day?
-Delhi was created
-Currently the capital of India (9.9 million people)
What Confuses
Me
 How did the sultans rule and who were some of their enemies? Were they
successful in defeating them?
-Diplomacy and warfare to maintain power
-Used murder and intrigue against rivals
-Enemies included the Tamils in the south
-Lost in many naval battles against them
The Muslim
Conquest
(pgs. 358-362)
 Who defeated the Delhi Sultanate? Where were they from and what are
two facts about them?
-The Mughals (Mongols)
-From central Asia
-Built the Taj Mahal
-Developed a rich culture
 What were some of the accomplishments of Akbar?
-Reformed the empire
-Believed in religious tolerance
-Appointed qualified Hindus to work in his government and gave them fixed
salaries
-Taxes were more fair; developed a better currency; protected
transportation routes
 List two facts about one of these individuals: Jahangir, Shah Jahan,
Aurangzeb
-Jahangir: Persian arts to India, heard petitions from subjects, literature 
-Shah Jahan: Taxed people heavily, spent money on decoration & buildings
-Aurangzeb: Deposed Shah Jahan, suppressed Hinduism
What Confuses
Me