Ancient Indian Achievements and Contributions

Social Studies Middle School Ancient Indian Achievements and Contributions
Students find out about many of the original and lasting contributions that ancient India made to the worlds of knowledge and culture. They work in small groups to research and report on specific contributions. Then, as a class, they focus on India’s linguistic contribution: Sanskrit, the classical language of the Hindu sacred texts. In the process, they read a transliteration of a Sanskrit verse from the Rig Veda and analyze a translation of it. Finally, they use their research into ancient India as a starting point for thinking about and discussing aspects of the study of history.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students find out about many of the original and lasting contributions that ancient India made to the worlds of knowledge and culture. They work in small groups to research and report on specific contributions. Then, as a class, they focus on India’s linguistic contribution: Sanskrit, the classical language of the Hindu sacred texts. In the process, they read a transliteration of a Sanskrit verse from the Rig Veda and analyze a translation of it. Finally, they use their research into ancient India as a starting point for thinking about and discussing aspects of the study of history.

Students will work together in small groups in scene 2.

Objective

  • Summarize the important achievements and contributions of ancient Indian civilization.


Ancient Indians invented scientific and mathematical methods and wrote books that are still admired today. You’ll learn about them in this experience.

Objective

  • Summarize the important achievements and contributions of ancient Indian civilization.


stone walls surrounding a large area

Water Reservoir from Indus Valley Civilization


Read the following list of items:


  • the idea of zero; base ten numbering; decimals; square roots; algebra; the measuring ruler
  • eye surgery (for cataracts); the flush toilet; planned cities with sewer systems; shampoo
  • chess; checkers; playing cards; the game of snakes and ladders; the sport of polo
  • buttons; the spinning wheel; calico, muslin, and cashmere (fabrics); diamond jewelry; bangle bracelets
  • high quality steel
  • the sitar (stringed musical instrument); yoga


Which of the items mentioned do you think were invented in ancient India? Make a list.


The answer is, “All of them.”

Ask students which items on the list are still important today, and discuss. Many of them are important to everyone, such as the base ten system and the flush toilet; others are still important to smaller groups of people, such as polo and bangle bracelets.


Divide students into their small groups for the next scene and assign one of the following categories of ancient Indian contributions to each group:

  • Art and Music
  • Language and Literature
  • Science and Medicine
  • Technology (including city planning and water sanitation)
  • Mathematics
  • Games, Clothing, and Other (including yoga)
When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Ancient India Unit.
Social Studies Middle School Religion and Its Influence: Buddhism
Religion and Its Influence: Buddhism
Social Studies Middle School Ancient India: Geography and Environment
Ancient India: Geography and Environment
Social Studies Middle School Early Civilization and the Aryans
Early Civilization and the Aryans
Social Studies Middle School India’s First Empires
India’s First Empires
Social Studies Middle School Ancient Indian Achievements and Contributions
Ancient Indian Achievements and Contributions
Social Studies Middle School Religion and Its Influence: Hinduism
Religion and Its Influence: Hinduism
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