Chapter 7: Ancient India

The Internet offers a range of social studies resources, including Web sites of museums, government agencies, educational institutions, and the news media. Listed below are links to some outstanding ancient history Web sites. Use them to learn more about the themes, ideas, and events in the lessons and the Connect to Today feature in this chapter.

Lesson 1: Geography and Indian Life

Ancient India: Indus Valley: This British Museum site has an excellent Ancient India virtual exhibit that includes a brief, interactive summary of the Indus Valley Civilization with maps and illustrations.; http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/menu.html

Ancient Indus Valley: An engaging site covering the Indus Valley Civilization in detail. Includes dozens of photos of artifacts, as well as virtual tours of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.; http://www.harappa.com/har/har0.html

Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization: This Minnesota State University emuseum site provides a nice overview of the geography, people, and culture of the ancient Indus Valley. Has an interesting satellite view of the region showing its location on the Indian subcontinent.; http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/india/

Lesson 2: The Origins of Hinduism

Hinduism: This British Broadcasting site presents a good overview of Hinduism. Includes information on the caste system and the most recent theories about the Aryan migrations.; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/index.shtml

The Aryan Migrations: This site provides a nice explanation of the differing viewpoints on the Aryan migrations.; http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/India/AryanMig.html

Lesson 3: Buddhism and India's Golden Age

Asoka: King Asoka's life and the effect of his conversion to Buddhism are discussed on this site.; http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/India/Asoka.html

Lesson 4: The Legacy of India

The Philosophy of Nonviolence: The role of the philosophy of nonviolence in the lives of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mohandas Gandhi is discussed on the Stanford University site.; http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/about_king/encyclopedia/nonviolence.htm

Ancient India: Mathematics: An extended discussion of mathematics in ancient India, including the origin of the concept of zero.; http://www.crystalinks.com/indiamathematics.html

The Influence of India on Malay Culture: This site provides information on how and in what ways India influenced one of the cultures of Southeast Asia, now the country of Maylasia.; http://www.sabrizain.demon.co.uk/malaya/hindu2.htm

Connect to Today: Indian Health Practices

Ayurvedic Medicine: A nice summary of the history and practices of Ayurvedic medicine, from the British Broadcasting Company Web site.; http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/complementary_medicine/traditional_ayurvedic.shtml

Yoga: A brief summary of yoga and its practices, from the British Broadcasting Company's Healthy Living Web page, with links to other yoga-related sites.; http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/fitness/active_yoga.shtml