Ancient civilizations

Sub continent is the land of ancient civilizations and a diverse

culture. Aryans, Greeks, Kushans, Huns, Mongols, Arabs, Turco-
Afghans, invaded the land and settled here in large numbers creating the
cultural mosaic that was India (175 languages and 500 dialects).

The Indus Valley Civilization (2500–1900 BC):

The Indus Valley Civilization is a Bronze Age civilization in
the northwest of South Asia, located in Pakistan and northwest India
today, on the fertile flood plain land of the Indus River and its nearby
areas lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.
Moenjo Daro and Harrappa:
Two cities, in particular, have been excavated at the sites of
Mohenjo-Daro on the lower Indus, and at Harappa, at Indus upstream.
The evidence shows that they had a highly developed city life; many
houses had wells and bathrooms with underground drainage system are
found. These cities display a well-planned urbanization system.
These ancient cities have traces of town planning, civic amenities,
use of burnt brick for constructions , social classes of society, crafts and
career specialization to support their economy and personal needs,
agriculture, weights and measures, toys, jewellery, use of metals,
sophisticated art, writing (pictographs) Peace loving people, links with
Iran and Mesopotamia. There is evidence of some level of contact
between the Indus Valley Civilization and the Near East. Commercial,
religious, and artistic connections have been recorded in Sumerian
documents, where the Indus valley people are referred to as Meluhhaites
and the Indus valley is called Meluhha.
Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization:
Indus Valley Civilization saw the beginning of their decline in
round about 1800 BCE, but how and when the civilization came to an
end remains uncertain. But following might be the factors to destroy the
Indus valley civilization.
1. Some scholars say that due to decrease in rainfall, Sindh might
have become desert and people might have migrated to some other
place.
2. Certain scholars believe that the earthquake or cyclone might have
been responsible for the decadence of Indus Valley culture.
3. Some experts argued that the great wealth of the people of the
Valley attracted wild tribes from the hills, which cause the destruction of
the Indus Valley civilization. Certain skele¬tons have been unearthed
which provide evidence to this view.
4. It cannot be said for certain that who the invaders who destroyed
the Indus Valley civilization were. There is also a possibility that the
Aryans had better equipment to conquer Indus Valley people. Rig-Veda
contains a reference to the war between the Aryans and non-Aryans and
the destruction of the walled cities of non-Aryans.
5. Archaeologists have attributed the decline of the Valley
civilization to the progressive decay of the land due to cultivation,
irrigation facilities and continuous exploitation of land and firewood for
brick manufacture.
6. Scholars believe that the decline of Indus Valley culture might
have taken place due to the change of course by Indus liver. As a result,
the fertile Indus Valley was converted into a tract of sand and people
were forced to leave the place.
The Aryan Civilization (2000-1500 BC):
The word Aryan means Noble in Persian. One section propose that the
Aryans were native Indians while the other argues that Aryans were
foreign nationals but Origin of Aryans is obscure, perhaps these were
nomadic tribes living in Central Asia.
Origins of Aryans:
In 3000 B.C Aryan community is found to be existing in the region
between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. It is said that over time
Aryans have completely exhausted various resources available in that
region. Being nomadic people, they set out to find new pasture of land to
settle and exploit the available resources. Owing to such nomadism,
Aryans were believed to have travelled away from the Eurasia region to
different directions. Evidences show the presence of Aryans in Persia,
China, Afghanistan, and Indian regions towards Asia.
Aryan’s Entry to India:
After reaching Persia, the Aryans started moving towards Tajikistan,
Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and finally entered Pakistan-India through
Khyber and Bolan Passes. It is important that, surprisingly the Indus
Civilization has vanished around the same period. Few historians believe
that Aryans have invaded the Indus Valley Civilization resulting in their
down fall. However there is no solid proof of Aryans coming in Contact
with Indus valley civilization.
Aryan Language:
Aryans were a large group of people sharing a common language and
this language doesn’t have a script. So, as per the theory wherever
Aryans settled for a considerable period, they adopted the local script for
their language.
Impacts of the Aryan Invasion:
Aryans have entered India through Khyber and Bolan Passes. By the
time Aryans entered the North-West India, they were met with native
Indians also famously referred as Dravidians. Physically speaking,
Dravidians are dark and short while Aryans are White and Tall.
 They have had huge conflicts with the native Dravidians in the
initial stages.
 The Caucasian Foreign Aryans started ruling the native dark and
short Dravidians.
 Due to their influence in the northern parts of India, Dravidian
population might have shifted towards the Southern India.

 This is how Aryans became Indians. Aryans no longer had to be

nomadic or pastoral.

 Sanskrit was the language which was pre-dominantly used in the

Ancient India.

Caste System:
The Indo-aryans were ruling the native Dravidian people. During this
time, people were associated with their respective professions. People
who were particularly good at warfare used to join the armed forces
or rule the kingdoms. People who were good at farming took up
agriculture and so on. These particular professions were considered as
the basis of the formation of caste system in India. Slowly, it so
became a practice that a farmer’s son/daughter shall grow up to
become a farmer. A ruler’s son/daughter would take up similar ruling
profession and so on. Anything otherwise was strictly prohibited by
societal pressures. Based on this, it is so believed that four caste
sections originated from four parts of the Deity or God.
Brahmin From Mouth, Knowers of Vedas Kshatriya From Arms
,Rulers or Warriors Vaishyas From Thighs, Agriculturalists or
Businessmen Sudras From Foot — Cleaners, etc.
Originally, Indo-Aryans alone belonged to the top three castes and
Dravidians were grouped under Sudras. However later, Dravidians
who were able to take up such professions were also given status of
higher castes. With the introduction of castes system and Vedas,
Brahmins started gaining power as they were needed even by greatest
kings to perform religious rituals and other practices/functions.
Brahmins were looked up with highest respect and are granted with
lands and riches by the kings while the others were treated according
to their professions. Lower castes people were not allowed to
talk/touch or even stand near the higher caste people. This high level
of dominance of the Brahmans in the society and stricter social rules
based on caste system and the rigid culture under the influence of
caste stratification led to the birth of Buddhism and Jainism in 4th
Century B.C to 6th Century B.C.

The Ghandhara Culture:

The Ghandhara culture emerged 1700 BCE in the upper Indus Valley
and spread to the Valleys of Swat, Dir, Chitral, and Peshawar,
flourishing until 500 BCE. Although multiple major powers ruled
over this area during that time, they all had in common great
reverence for Buddhism and the adoption of the Indo Greek artistic
tradition which had developed in the region.
Origin of the Name Ghandhara:
The name of Gandhara may have several meanings, but the most
prominent is the 'Land of Fragrance'.
History of Ghandhara:
Pakistan is the land which attracted Alexander the great from
Macedonia in 326 B.C., with whom the influence of Greek culture
came to this part of the world. During the 2nd century B.C., it was
here that Buddhism was adopted as the state religion which flourished
and prevailed here for over 1000 years, starting from 2nd century
B.C., until 10th century A.D. During this time Taxila, Swat and
Charsaddah became three important centers for culture, trade and
learning. Hundreds of monasteries and stupas were built together with
Greek and Kushan towns such as Sirkap and Sirsukh both in Taxila. It
was from these centres that a unique art of sculpture originated which
is known as Gandhara Art all over the world. Today the Gandhara
Sculptures occupy a prominent place in the museums of England,
France, Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, China, India and Afghanistan
together with many private collections world over, as well as in the
museums of Pakistan. Nevertheless, the zenith of this Gandhara Art is
one and only "Fasting Buddha" now on display in Lahore Museum,
Lahore. The Gandhara region had long been a crossroads of cultural
influences. During the reign of the Indian emperor Ashoka 3rd
century BCE , the region became the scene of intensive Buddhist
missionary activity. And in the 1st century CE, rulers of the Kushan
empire, which included Gandhara, maintained contacts with Rome.
The tail end of the Kushan rule saw a succession of short-lived
dynasties taking over control of the Gandhara region, and this
resulted in a situation where the region was constantly being raided
and invaded.
Daily life in the cities of Gandhara was very well-developed, and due
to its favorable location between India, Persia, and China, it
constantly saw invaders, traders, pilgrims, monks, and travelers cross
through its lands. Westwards from India or eastwards from Persia, the
route through the region of Gandhara made it the center of every
traveler’s route. This is the same route through which Islam entered
the region and probably struck the final nail in the coffin of Buddhism
in the area. In fact, the same route would be used for centuries even
after Gandhara collapsed until the Age of Discovery. The riches of
Gandhara, although well known to treasure hunters for centuries,
would not be discovered again until the era of British colonial rule in
the Indian subcontinent, when the artistic traditions of this lost
civilization were rediscovered and brought to light in the late 19th and
throughout the 20th centuries CE.

Hinduism:
 The birthplace of Hinduism is Indus River Valley which runs through
northwest India into Pakistan. Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion,
Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s
sometimes referred to as a “way of life”.
Cost System of Hinduism:
Hindu caste system recognized four distinct classes or divisions
which are
1. Brahmans:
The Brahmans provide education and spiritual leadership. They
determine the vision and values of any society. Traditionally their basic
needs were fulfilled so that they could dedicate themselves to their
spiritual tasks.
2. Kshatriyas:
The kshatriyas are the nobility, the protectors of society. Though
permitted a number of privileges, they are expected to display
considerable strength of body and character to protect the citizens from
harm, especially women, children, and cows
3. Vaishyas :

The vaishyas are the productive class. They are Farmers, Merchants, and

Business People supposed to protect animals (especially cows), and the
land to create wealth and prosperity.
4. Shudras:
The shudras are the only section of society allowed to accept another’s
employment; other varnas are occupationally and financially self-
sufficient To render service to others And take pride in their work and to
be loyal. They are treated bad and live like slaves to others.

Forms of Hinduism:
 Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they
worship a single deity, known as “Brahman,” but still recognize
other
 Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle
of life, death, and reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of
cause and effect).
 One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in
soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul,
and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The goal is to achieve
“moksha,” or salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to
become part of the absolute soul.
 One fundamental principle of the religion is the idea that
people’s actions and thoughts directly determine their current
life and future lives.
 Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that
emphasizes good conduct and morality.
 Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred
animal.
 Food is an important part of life for Hindus. Most don’t eat beef
or pork, and many are vegetarians.
 Hinduism is closely related to other Indian religions, including
Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.

Hindu Gods:
 Brahma: the god responsible for the creation of the
world and all living things
 Vishnu: the god that preserves and protects the
universe
 Shiva: the god that destroys the universe in order to
recreate it
 Devi: the goddess that fights to restore dharma
 Krishna: the god of compassion, tenderness and love
 Lakshmi: the goddess of wealth and purity
 Saraswati: the goddess of learning