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harappa civilization
The Harappa Civilization and Culture is one of the
civilization that emerge along the Indus Valley River
specifically on Ravi in the Panjab Region. There was no
exact date on how harappa civilization started, expanded,
and ended but there is a theory that it started between
2300 and 1750 B.C. Harappa Civilization is known for its
unique, organized, and uniform culture. An example of
this is the grid network of the streets with fixed ⁷or
aligned width and right angle intersections. Even with the
size, shape, weights, and measures of each bricks is
similar to each other. Harappa Culture has its own writing
system and it is preserved through small stones and clay
seal. There was also a sign of trade system after they
found a harappan type seal deposits in Mesopotamia.
However, there are two theory on how Harappa
Civilization ended. First, is environment changes due to
repeated floodings. Second, is the invasion of Aryan
people..
dravidian culture
The Dravidian culture, predominant in the southern part
of India, is distinguished by its rich linguistic diversity,
with languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and
Malayalam. The Dravidian people are known for its
complex religion which they tend to worship Female
Fertility Figures and Moon goddess contrary to Aryan
people which on the other hand had strong worship on
male deities. The religion of Dravidian people are based
on what kind of living and society they have which is
agricultural society. Aryan and Dravidian culture later on
create a history when it comes to their religions which is
eventually called Aryan-Dravidian Synthesis which later on
contributed to the creation of Brahmanism and Classical
Hinduism.
rise of brahminism
and hinduism
The rise of Brahmanism marked a significant turning point
in the religious landscape of ancient India, leading to what
is known today as classical Hinduism. This period was
characterized by the consolidation of the Vedic traditions
that came from the Aryan Civilization and some religious
practices and belief that came from the southern part of
india during that time which is the Dravidian Culture. The
caste system became more pronounced during this time,
with the Brahmins, or priestly class, asserting their status
and authority through rituals and sacred knowledge. The
synthesis of various cultural and spiritual ideas during this
era laid the foundational beliefs and practices of
Hinduism, influencing its development for centuries to
come.
mauryan dynasty
Mauryan Dynasty was the first empire or dynasty to unify
most of the Indian Subcontinents and place it under one
rule and ruler. It is founded by Chandragupta Maurya,
which is known for its military power, political diplomacy,
and extensive administration. Chandragupta has minister
named Kautilya, which is known for his work Arthasastra
which justified the use of ruthless means by ruler to
achieve a goal. The most famous Mauryan ruler was Asoka
the Great. Asoka, embraced Buddhism after the bloody
Kalinga War and become known for his policy of Dhamma,
which sought to ensure the welfare of all his followers.
gupta dynasty
The Gupta Dynasty, known for its golden age of Indian
culture, was an ancient Indian empire that flourished
between the 4th and 6th centuries CE. Founded by
Maharaja Sri Gupta, the dynasty was a model of
excellence in various fields, including art, science, and
literature. The period saw significant advancements in
mathematics, astronomy, engineering, and philosophy,
largely attributed to the peace and prosperity that
prevailed under Gupta rule. The Guptas were patrons of
learning and education, with Nalanda University becoming
a renowned center of knowledge under their support.
Moreover, the period was marked by the creation of
classical Sanskrit literature by celebrated poets like
Kalidasa. The Gupta Empire's decline began in the latter
half of the 6th century due to persistent invasions by the
Huns and internal political instability, leading to its
eventual disintegration into smaller states.
mohenjo-daro
civilization
The Mohenjo-Daro Civilization and Culture is also one of
the Civilization that flourished along Indus River
specifically on the Indus 150 miles from its mouth. Just
like Harappa Civilization, Mohenjo-Daro has no exact date
on how it started or expanded, but Mohenjo-Daro and
Harappan co-existed with each other and became urban
center in Indus Valley River. Mohenjo-Daro Civilization is
known for its large buildings, lavatories, cesspool, sewer,
drains, gutters and etc. that existed through its surving
brick-remains up until now. Because this civilization is
near the river, the primary source of living there is
through agriculture and pastoral due to the healthy soil.
However, Mohenjo-Daro Civilization ended the same way
on how Harappa Civilization ended
aryan civilization
The Aryan Civilization or also known as the Vedic
Civilization, was a historical culture that succeeded in the
Indian subcontinent from around 1500 BCE. It is believed
that the Aryan people come from the southern part of
Russia and reach India through West Asia. This period
marked the transition from the pre-Vedic Indus Valley
Civilization to the establishment of a Vedic culture, set by
the composition of the Vedas which is the ancient sacred
texts of Hinduism. The Aryans are believed to have
migrated into the Indian subcontinent, bringing with them
different linguistic, cultural, and religious practices that
significantly influenced the region's existing societies.
Their societal structure was divided into four main classes
or varnas, and they practiced a form of religion that laid
the foundation for modern Hinduism.
brahmanas and
upanishad
The Brahmanas and the Upanishads are both ancient
Indian texts that form part of the Vedic literature. The
Brahmanas are prose texts that explain the Vedic rituals
and ceremonies, providing instructions for the priests on
how to perform these rituals correctly. They focus on the
exoteric aspects of the rituals. On the other hand, the
Upanishads are largely philosophical works that explore
the inner, esoteric meanings of the Vedic rituals and
discuss concepts such as Brahman (the ultimate reality)
and Atman (the self or soul). They mark a shift from
ritualistic practices to spiritual understanding and self-
realization. These texts believes that the goal or objective
of the soul (atman) was to escape from the shell which is
the physical body of the human and return to its source or
creator which is the Brahman. And those who did not meet
enlightenment or Nirvana, will face Karma or moral
consequence and will be reincarnated again and again.
buddhism
Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that focuses on personal
spiritual development and the attainment of a deep
insight into the true nature of life. Buddhists seek to
reach a state of nirvana, following the path of the
Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who went on a quest for
Enlightenment around the sixth century BC. The doctrine
or teaching of Buddhism is centered around the
understanding of the Four Noble Truths which are the
essence of Buddha's teachings. These truths are: the truth
of suffering (Dukkha), the truth of the cause of suffering
(Samudaya), the truth of the end of suffering (Nirodha),
and the truth of the path that leads to the end of
suffering (Magga). The path that leads to cessation of
suffering is known as the Noble Eightfold Path, which
provides a framework for spiritual development and
mindfulness.
emergence hinduism
The Gupta era, marked by significant developments in art,
science, and political administration, is also notable for
the emergence of Hinduism as we understand it today.
This period saw the synthesis of various religious and
cultural traditions into a coherent religious practice that
spread throughout India. The Guptas patronized Sanskrit
literature and drama, which played a crucial role in
solidifying Hinduism's narratives and doctrines. The
construction of grand temples and the proliferation of
texts like the Puranas were instrumental in this religious
consolidation. Moreover, the concept of Bhakti, or
devotional worship, gained prominence during this time,
emphasizing personal devotion over ritual sacrifice. This
era laid the foundational stones for Hinduism's rich
philosophical and ritualistic tapestry that continues to
influence millions worldwide..