Lesson 7: Civilization in Asia and the Pacific

• The arrival of the Indo-Aryans in South Asia ushered in the Vedic Period
• Information about the Vedic Period is found in the accounts of the Vedas, particularly the Rig Veda
• Oral tradition and Vedic texts tell the story of the expansion of the Indo-Aryans beyond the Indus River Valley towards the eastern plains of India
• Archaeological evidence shows high activity along the Ganges River during the Vedic Period
• Around 1000 BCE, agricultural communities engaged in rice cultivation along the banks of the Ganges
• Iron technology was introduced, aiding in soil cultivation for growing rice
• Around 500 BCE, fortified cities emerged in the Ganges Plains
• Several communities were integrated into different kingdoms vying for control over the region
• The Vedic Period saw the incorporation of various philosophies and beliefs that formed the foundation of Hinduism
• The caste system emerged during this period
• The doctrine governing social classes was finalized around 200 BCE
• Buddhism emerged around 600 BCE, challenging many Hindu doctrines and spreading throughout northern India over centuries
• The earliest cities established in the Indus Valley region between 4000 to 3000 BCE belonged to the Harappan Civilization
• Foremost ancient cities of the Harappan Civilization were Harappa and Mohenjodaro, located in modern-day Pakistan
• Harappa and Mohenjodaro had populations of up to 30,000 inhabitants
• Around 2500 BCE, Harappan cities were actively trading with one another, exchanging crops such as wheat, barley, cotton, mustard, dates, peas, rice, and sorghum
• Mohenjodaro was the largest of the Harappan cities, with an area of two square kilometers
• The ancient city was rebuilt at least nine times due to flooding of the Indus River
• Many structures that remain in Mohenjodaro reveal a highly organized society
• Streets and houses in Mohenjodaro were arranged in a grid-like pattern similar to modern cities
• Single-storey dwellings were occupied by laborers and the poorer classes, while larger residences with courtyards were occupied by the richer classes
• Presence of bathrooms and toilets in larger houses in Mohenjodaro indicates a public sewage system
• The city had structures believed to be public buildings, including a hall of about 30 square meters
• The Citadel in Mohenjodaro stood at 12 meters, protected by huge embankments and defensive walls with towers
• Trade was an important factor in the developments of Harappan culture
• Important economic activities apart from agriculture included metalworking, beadmaking, weaving, and pottery
• The Harappans were expert metalworkers who made small figurines of copper and bronze
• Artifacts unearthed from Harappan sites consisted of small animal figures and carts molded from clay, believed to be offerings or toys
• Stamp seals believed to have been used for trade featured a script composed of pictographic symbols yet to be deciphered
• With the establishment of the Qin Empire, Shi Huangdi concentrated all power, authority, and knowledge in the government
• The empire was divided into provinces that were administered by governors
• Roads were built to link the provinces to the imperial capital in Xianyang
• A series of walls about 500 kilometers in length were constructed along the northern frontier to repel invaders
• Shi Huangdi was known for his grand royal tomb, whose construction began at the start of his reign as emperor
• 700,000 workers and artisans labored to construct his royal tomb
• The emperor was buried with a grand army of life-sized terracotta statues to guard him in the afterlife
• The Han Dynasty took over after the end of the Qin, lasting four centuries from 206 BCE to 220 CE
• During the Han Dynasty, the government established a professional civil service and recruited promising candidates from the provinces
• In 117 BCE, the government established a monopoly on the production and trade of salt and iron
• The Han empire was the seat of the Silk Road, linking the East and the West