Discovering Our Past: Ancient Civilizations

Chapter 4: Early India

Chapter Overview

Today, the subcontinent of India is home to five nations: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Climate and geography influenced the rise of India's first civilization, which arose in the Indus River valley. The monsoon seasons dominated the climate then as they still do today.

The Harappans—the people of India's early civilization—were farmers. Harappan ruins suggest that they were both peaceful and prosperous. After 1500 B.C., the Aryans—a nomadic people—settled in India. They became excellent farmers, inventing new farm tools using their ironworking skills. The Aryans also developed a written language called Sanskrit. Their presence in India brought other changes as well, including the development of a caste system.

Hinduism developed in ancient India. It has shaped every aspect of Indian life. Siddhartha Gautama's lessons about the nature of suffering became known as Buddhism.

An Indian prince named Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan dynasty and India's first empire. Chandragupta established a centralized government and created a postal system. A later Buddhist king, Asoka, built hospitals, stupas, and roads. After his death, the Mauryan dynasty fell apart. For 500 years, India was without a strong leader. Then, when the Gupta empire was created, it reunited most of northern India. India experienced a golden age of art and learning during the Gupta empire.