ANCIENT INDIA: INDUS VALLEY

CIVILZATION
UNIT 2.4 – GROWTH OF HINDUISM
WEEK 2
 Learning Objectives

Explain ideals, practices, and historical developments of major

01 belief systems in India i.e. growth of Hinduism.
 Growth of Hinduism
• After Vedic age, Hinduism began to flourish.
• Simple polytheism of Aryans converted into
complex religion.
• Increase in number of gods and thousands of
rituals and ceremonies.
• 3 prominent gods emerged.
• Brahama (Creator of Universe), Vishnu (P-
reserver of Universe), Shiva (Destroyer of Uni-
verse)
 Epic Age: Hinduism in Ancient
India
• Epic Age: 600 BC – 200 AD
• Great literary works have developed:
Ramayana, Mahabharata, and
Bhagvad-Gita
 Epic Work of Hinduism
• Ramayana: Story of Ram and Sita.
• Author: Valmiki
• Sita: An ideal of womanhood, devotion and chastity
• Mahabharata: War between Pandavas and
Kauravas.
• It reflected social changes after Vedic period.
• Author: Vyasa
• Bhagvad Gita: Also called as Lord’s Song. A
conversation between Krishna and Arjuna
 Epic Work of Hinduism
• Believed in reincarnation --- which is
determined by KARMA
• Individual Paths to connect to God ---
Paths are Jobs of People which
are determined by CASTE
SYSTEM
• Spiritual Practices: Meditation and
Practice of Yoga
 Epic Work of Hinduism
• During this time, the caste system strongly
established on the basis of
birth.
• Brahmans received religious and social
supremacy.
• Temples were built and images of gods and
goddesses installed.
• The beginning of idol-worship
 Resources and References
• Reading material
- Glance of World History Across Time, The Early Ages – Kentucky Edition,
Chapter 6: Early India
- Ancient Civilizations – India by Wendy Conklin
- World History: Ancient Civilizations, Chapter 7: Ancient India
- The Culture and Civilization of Ancient India in Historical Outline by D.D. Kosambi
- The Hindu Traditions Part 1- India’s early Cultures, Chapter 1: The Indus Valley
Civilization
- The Indus Civilization by A. H. Dani and B.K. Thapar
 Resources and References
• Web
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/alexander-the-great
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great
https://www.britannica.com/place/Mauryan-Empire
• YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmV2Wd8bOcc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW_awN9uV6w