Ancient South Asia
Prehistory to c. 500 CE
From the Indus Valley Civilization to the Great Stupa at Sanchi, the art and architecture of ancient South Asia continue to impress
What is South Asia?
India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bhutan, and the Maldives are all part of South Asia. Some would also include Afghanistan in this list.
Indus Valley Civilization
c. 3300–1300 BCE
Indus Valley Civilization flourished primarily in the region of modern-day Pakistan and northwest India
Early Writing in Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization)
Important terms and concepts
Indus Valley Civilization
Seals
Harappa
Mohenjo-daro
Early Buddhist Art
c. 500 BCE–400 CE
Buddhism originated in South Asia around 500 BCE
Who is Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who became The Buddha?
The aniconic Buddha is found on reliefs from Bharhut Stupa.
Learn to identify one with a Gandharan sculpture.
The Buddha's first sermon at Deer Park and the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Learn about stupas with a relief sculpture and Stupa 1 at Sanchi.
Queen Maya giving birth to the Buddha is depicted on an ancient stupa relief.
The Buddha's enlightenment (nirvana)
An ancient relief sculpture from Gandhara shows the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Learn about an emaciated stone Buddhist sculpture.
The death of the Buddha (parinirvana)
A Gandharan relief showing the death of the Buddha.
Ashoka, His Edicts, and the Mauryan Empire
Explore with the Lion Capital at Sarnath.
Important terms and concepts
Bodhisattva
Nirvana
Queen Maya
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
Deer Park
Bodh Gaya
Parinirvana
Stupa
Lion Capital
Edict
Maurya Empire
Bamiyan Buddhas
Learn about the colossal Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan
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