Sunday, September 13, 2009

What was the result of this interaction?

They can trade different things or raw materials from different civilisations.They could also borrowed ideas with one another.

What inference can you make from studying the map about the Mauryan dynasty?

The traders would travel in monsoon direction between India and other civilisations.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

How did Hinduism and Buddhism spread to Southeast Asia?

Hinduism

It was believed that Hindu priests were invited by the SEAsian rulers to reach Indian Culture . There could be a possibility that because India was seen as an advanced civilisation , SEAsia rulers may have wanted to learn some things from the Indians

Buddhism

Buddhism came to Southeast Asia c. 300 ce . It was brought by Indian and Chinese traders as well as the Buddhist missionaries who travelled with them.

Impact of Religions

Hinduism , Buddhism and Islam had a great impact on the way the people of ancient Southeast Asia lived. These religions guided many ancient Southeast Asian rulers in the way they governed. However , as in ancient China , the people of ancient Southeast Asia did not entirely follow the teachings of their new religions and abandon their older beliefs. Instead , they combined their older beliefs with the teachings of their new religions. Today , the religions of Hinduism , Buddhism and Islam continue to shape the lives of the people in Southeast Asia . Indonesia , Malaysia and Brunei are countries where the majority of the people are Muslims while the people in Cambodia , Vietnam , Thailand and Myanmar are mostly Buddhists.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Fall of the Shang Dynasty

The last of the Shang kings was dominated by women, giving up to sensual self-indulgence with his 'pools of wine and forest of meat,' oppressing people with his taxes, craving open pregnant women to examine the fetus, and killing or imprisoning all who remonstrated against him.

King wu launched an attack on the Shang empire in 1120 BCE. This attack was not suceesful. But the second attack ( which is 2 years later) was successful, and the armies of King Wu invaded and sacked Yin, capital of Shang dynasty.

The last Shang king, commited suicide after his army defeated by the Zhou people. There are legends saythat his army betrayed himby joining the Zhou rebels in a decisive battle that took place.

Information taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynasty
www.art-and-archaeoloy.com/timelines/china/shang/html

Religion

The Shang worshipped a figure they called "Shang Ti", or "Lord On High" . This supreme god ruled over lesser gods of the sun, the moon, the rain and other natural forces and places. Shang Ti also regulated human affairs as well as ruling material universe. This dual function would, in the Chou dynasty, be attributed to a more abstract figure, "tíen" or "Heaven".

The Shang also believed that their ancestors dwelled in heaven after their death and continued to show an interest in their family a descendants. The obligations within the family included, therefore , the ancestors. Failing in one's duties to the ancestors could bring all sorts of disaster on a family.

All these divine and semi-divine figures, from Shang Ti to a family's ancestors were sacrificed to. However, we know little of the nature and frequency of these sacrifices.

We do know, however that in the Chou dynasty only the king could sacrificed to Shang Ti, it is highly likely that Shang Ti was the"local king" of the Shang kings who was subsequently elevated in order to elevate the Shang themselves. Lesser were sacrificed at the founding of a palace or temple.

Information taken from
http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Features of the Indus Valley Civilisation


What is it?
Dish-on-stand

What is it made of?
Clay

Who made it?
The potter

Why is it needed for?
For ritual purpose

Where is it found?
At the foot of a flexed burial



What is it?
Cooking pot
What is it for?
To contain food

Who made it?
The potter at that time
Who has it at that time?
Every family would have one
How is it design?
Large globular shape



What is it?
City wall

Who build it?
People at that time

What is it for?
To prevent other people from other country to attack them

What is it made of?
Maybe bricks

How far is it away from the main city wall?
Approximately 4 metres