South and Central Asia

Geography of South and Central Asia

After the unit kickoff lesson introduces the idea of influence and influencers on society, Cluster 1 provides students with an introduction to the physical and political geography of South and Central Asia. In these lessons, students use a variety of maps, images, and sources to explore the Supporting Question: How does geography influence the lives of people in South and Central Asia? In this cluster, students familiarize themselves with the major geographic features of South and Central Asia and work to evaluate how they influence life in those regions of the world. Students also connect to the modern world by considering contemporary challenges regarding water pollution and access in South and Central Asia. Through these lessons, students create a foundational understanding of the role of geography in the region’s history, development, and contemporary life.

Harappan Society

In this cluster, students will investigate the Harappan society that developed in the Indus region during the Bronze Age. The archaeological evidence of these societies exists as architectural ruins of communal and domestic structures; smaller-scale items of material culture; weights and seals used for regional and long-distance trade; and beads, toys, and sculptures of varying sizes. In this cluster, students practice the methods and skills of a historian by investigating sources and drawing conclusions about their influence to answer the Supporting Question: How can artifacts help us understand Harappan society?

Post-Harappan Developments in South Asia

Cluster 3 picks up where Cluster 2 ends, exploring post-Indus societies in South Asia during the Iron Age, with a focus on the belief systems of Hinduism and Buddhism. Students will learn how technological advancements and shifts in the political and economic landscape led to societal changes and new ways of thinking about one's place in the world. This cluster delves into the origins and essential beliefs of Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions and their development over time alongside the societies in which they are practiced.

Kingship in Ancient India

In Cluster 4, students examine and analyze primary sources describing the leadership styles and philosophical influences on the rulers of the first great empires of ancient India, the Maurya Empire (321-185 BCE). In doing so, they consider the larger question: What makes a good ruler? This helps develop students’ civic dispositions as they consider the different approaches leaders may take to decision-making, the values and beliefs behind those approaches, and their impacts on the governed population.

In-Depth Inquiry: The Golden Age of India

In Cluster 5, students continue focusing on the role of leaders in ancient South Asia. They work to answer the Supporting Question: Who and what influenced the Gupta Golden Age? They complete an In-Depth Inquiry of the Gupta Empire, where they visit a series of stations and evaluate the roles and contributions of common people in creating the Gupta Empire’s success. There is an optional extension to investigate Central Asia's Golden Age and the various contributors to it. Throughout the cluster, students organize information from primary and secondary sources, identify and explain aspects of ancient South Asia’s history relevant to participating in a diverse society, and draw conclusions about South Asia’s social, political, economic, and cultural developments.