This project helped me understand a few things:
-> There are many ways to present a project. For example, I learnt how to present in front of a small group of people instead of the whole class.
-> Teamwork is very important. If all of us did not contribute our parts to the project, we would not have scored as well as we wanted.
-> I also learnt that we can use different search engines to find information relating to history or any other subject, like public libraries, Google Search, Yahoo search, Wikipedia, et cetera.
-> I had to be patient while we were doing this project--- Suniljit and Clara kept arguing, Others were impatient, and the model took ages to build up!
This project is so fun! I want to try more in future! ♥♥♥
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Reflection on religions and philosophies
A Religion is a belief in & Worship of a God.
A Philosophy is the way of thinking about life that guides a person's actions & behaviour
Ancient India:
Hinduism:
-> is developed from a mixture of beliefs between the Dravidians & Aryans.
-> is the oldest religion in India.
-> Over 80% of people in India~ 850million.
-> Affects almost every aspect of Indian Culture.
-> Belief in many Gods.
-> Sacred Text: Vedas & Bhagavad Gita
Buddhism:
-> Founded by: Gautama Siddharta, 566BCE
-> Questioned 'Suffering in life'.
-> Began as a philosophy & later developed into a religion.
-> affected the way the country was ruled.
-> Influenced several HINDU Kings.
-> Spread to China & many parts of SEA.
-> Spread to all of India and many converted from Hinduism.
-> Was enlightened and became the Buddha.
Ancient China:
Confucianism:
-> Founded by Confucius.
-> Taught codes of living in harmony.
-> Teaches proper social behaviour, others before self and filial piety.
-> 6 classics & Analects
-> Banned in Qin Dynasty
-> Made little impact initially
-> State ideology- Han Dynasty
Legalism:
-> Adopted by Qin ShiHuang.
-> About Laws.
-> Belief that people are naturally selfish & weak.
-> "Good Government".
-> Punished severely- to discourage others from committing the same crimes.
-> State Ideology in Qin Dynasty.
-> Others continued to adopt Legalism, but no severe punishments.
Taoism:
-> Lao Zi???
-> Dao De Jing
-> Philosophy => Religion
-> Peace & Harmony: Tao(Dao)=> The Way
Ancient South-East Asia:
Hinduism:
-> 1st century CE
-> Brought in by Indian traders
-> Adopted- kings & nobels
-> Evidence: Ptambanan temple & Angkor Wat
Buddhism:
-> 300CE
-> Brought in by traders & Buddhist missionaries
-> Evidence: Ananda temple and the Borobodur
-> Important religion- Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia
Islam:
-> 11th century CE
-> Muslim traders
-> Prophet: Muhammad, Arabia
-> Adopted by rulers- Trengganu stone
-> Conquest, Marriage, Trade, Religious Missionaries
-> Indonesia Largest population~ 200million.
-> Many countries affected.
-> 5 pillars: 1 God, Allah; Fast- Ramadan; Pray 5 times towards Mecca; Pilgrimage to Mecca; Give Alms.
A Philosophy is the way of thinking about life that guides a person's actions & behaviour
Ancient India:
Hinduism:
-> is developed from a mixture of beliefs between the Dravidians & Aryans.
-> is the oldest religion in India.
-> Over 80% of people in India~ 850million.
-> Affects almost every aspect of Indian Culture.
-> Belief in many Gods.
-> Sacred Text: Vedas & Bhagavad Gita
Buddhism:
-> Founded by: Gautama Siddharta, 566BCE
-> Questioned 'Suffering in life'.
-> Began as a philosophy & later developed into a religion.
-> affected the way the country was ruled.
-> Influenced several HINDU Kings.
-> Spread to China & many parts of SEA.
-> Spread to all of India and many converted from Hinduism.
-> Was enlightened and became the Buddha.
Ancient China:
Confucianism:
-> Founded by Confucius.
-> Taught codes of living in harmony.
-> Teaches proper social behaviour, others before self and filial piety.
-> 6 classics & Analects
-> Banned in Qin Dynasty
-> Made little impact initially
-> State ideology- Han Dynasty
Legalism:
-> Adopted by Qin ShiHuang.
-> About Laws.
-> Belief that people are naturally selfish & weak.
-> "Good Government".
-> Punished severely- to discourage others from committing the same crimes.
-> State Ideology in Qin Dynasty.
-> Others continued to adopt Legalism, but no severe punishments.
Taoism:
-> Lao Zi???
-> Dao De Jing
-> Philosophy => Religion
-> Peace & Harmony: Tao(Dao)=> The Way
Ancient South-East Asia:
Hinduism:
-> 1st century CE
-> Brought in by Indian traders
-> Adopted- kings & nobels
-> Evidence: Ptambanan temple & Angkor Wat
Buddhism:
-> 300CE
-> Brought in by traders & Buddhist missionaries
-> Evidence: Ananda temple and the Borobodur
-> Important religion- Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia
Islam:
-> 11th century CE
-> Muslim traders
-> Prophet: Muhammad, Arabia
-> Adopted by rulers- Trengganu stone
-> Conquest, Marriage, Trade, Religious Missionaries
-> Indonesia Largest population~ 200million.
-> Many countries affected.
-> 5 pillars: 1 God, Allah; Fast- Ramadan; Pray 5 times towards Mecca; Pilgrimage to Mecca; Give Alms.
Comparison of the societies of ancient civilisations
Ancient India:
Social System is where people live close to each other andhave close ties with each other.
At first, Indians only had the class system. After about 1000 Years, the system has now become the Caste system.
They also have different words to represent the caste system:
Jati- Occupation
Varna- Untouchables
Hereditary
Rigidity
Purity
Therefore, everyone had a role to play in the society, and kings brought order and a sense of belonging to their communities.
Ancient China:
Shang Dynasty:
1523BCE <-> 1027BCE
-> Shi were given lands & limited power by the king.
-> Loyalty and Support was what the king wanted in return.
-> The first class system only had 2 classes.
Zhou Dynasty:
1027BCE <-> 221BCE
-> Discovery of better farming methods.
-> More food and larger population.
-> New class system with 5 classes.
Qin Dynasty:
221BCE <-> 206BCE
-> Power of shi was reduced.
-> Divided lands into provinces.
-> Provinces were looked after by officials chosen by Qin ShiHuang himself in replacement of the shi.
-> Officials did not own the land they ruled over.
Han Dynasty:
202BCE <-> 220CE
-> Imperial Civil Service Exams.
-> Meritocracy.
-> Social Mobility.
Ancient South-East Asia (SEA):
Tribes:
-> Closely related (lives in own distinct area).
-> Headed by a chief.
-> Often made up of hunters, rice farmers and sailors.
-> HAd a common ancestor, lead and culture
Basic Cultures:
-> Ruling Class
-> Trading & Priestly class
-> Working Class
-> Kings & Nobels in Meleka took part in trade
-> Trading and Priestly class are above working class as trading is more important in SEA.
Comparison: I noticed that every civilisation had a class/caste system, and the way they arrange the occupations is very unique. In China, the trading class is below the peasants class. This is most dumbfounding as compared to India and SEA, the trading class is high above the peasants class. Secondly, there are very different way in which they choose their officials to work with them. In China, they chose whoever they wanted at first, but converting the system to best brains instead of best blood to choose the officials. In India, the brahmins (priests) are the officials. :-)
Social System is where people live close to each other andhave close ties with each other.
At first, Indians only had the class system. After about 1000 Years, the system has now become the Caste system.
They also have different words to represent the caste system:
Jati- Occupation
Varna- Untouchables
Hereditary
Rigidity
Purity
Therefore, everyone had a role to play in the society, and kings brought order and a sense of belonging to their communities.
Ancient China:
Shang Dynasty:
1523BCE <-> 1027BCE
-> Shi were given lands & limited power by the king.
-> Loyalty and Support was what the king wanted in return.
-> The first class system only had 2 classes.
Zhou Dynasty:
1027BCE <-> 221BCE
-> Discovery of better farming methods.
-> More food and larger population.
-> New class system with 5 classes.
Qin Dynasty:
221BCE <-> 206BCE
-> Power of shi was reduced.
-> Divided lands into provinces.
-> Provinces were looked after by officials chosen by Qin ShiHuang himself in replacement of the shi.
-> Officials did not own the land they ruled over.
Han Dynasty:
202BCE <-> 220CE
-> Imperial Civil Service Exams.
-> Meritocracy.
-> Social Mobility.
Ancient South-East Asia (SEA):
Tribes:
-> Closely related (lives in own distinct area).
-> Headed by a chief.
-> Often made up of hunters, rice farmers and sailors.
-> HAd a common ancestor, lead and culture
Basic Cultures:
-> Ruling Class
-> Trading & Priestly class
-> Working Class
-> Kings & Nobels in Meleka took part in trade
-> Trading and Priestly class are above working class as trading is more important in SEA.
Comparison: I noticed that every civilisation had a class/caste system, and the way they arrange the occupations is very unique. In China, the trading class is below the peasants class. This is most dumbfounding as compared to India and SEA, the trading class is high above the peasants class. Secondly, there are very different way in which they choose their officials to work with them. In China, they chose whoever they wanted at first, but converting the system to best brains instead of best blood to choose the officials. In India, the brahmins (priests) are the officials. :-)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Comparison of the governments of ancient civilisations
In ancient India (Government)->
Kingship is the right to rule from their Gods. The Hindu kings are the Kings of Laws and their duties are to maintain Peace and Harmony, Protect their Religion and Brahmins, maintain the Caste System.
Hindu kings also conduct Monarchy, which is a government with kings.
In Ancient China (Government)->
The Feudal System started during the Shang Dynasty, where the kingdom of a civilisation is distributed into feudal estates and ruled by the shi(officials). These shi receive land from the king in exchange for support, tributes, governing rights and soldiers for war.
The Unitary system is centralised rule over an entire empire, meaning there are standard measures and coins, strict uniform laws and a single writing script (thus creating a sense of unity in the empire).
The Mandate of Heaven is a blessing from heaven, and the ruler is the 'Son of Heaven'. If a ruler does not rule justly and wisely, people will start looking for signs of natural diasaters. That way, they have a certain 'right' to overthrow the ruler.
Lastly, Civil Sercive Examinations determine which people deserves to be officials and which do not. Using 'Best Brains vs Best Blood', the knowledgable people have a higher chance of becoming an official.
In Ancient South East Asia {Aka SEA) (Government)->
It is hard for SEA to become an empire as it is made up of two areas: Mainland and Island. Therefore, there are different kings ruling different areas. Every SEA government is in charge of taxation, justice, the army and organising labour in the kingdom. Government officials are also known as mratans and SEA kings gain power due to Maritime trade.
Divine Kingship is where SEA Kings are given the right to rule, becoming divine rulers and are the middlemen between the Gods and the commoners. The king's palaces become temples after their death as their palaces represented the home of the Gods.
Comparison of 3 ancient civilisations:) : All 3 societies have officials to assist the king in ruling the country, but only in China that officials need knowledge to become one. They also have the right to rule from their Gods. Moreover, the king role was passed down through bloodline, so generations continue. So far, Indian and China Civilisations have accomplished in forming an empire.
Kingship is the right to rule from their Gods. The Hindu kings are the Kings of Laws and their duties are to maintain Peace and Harmony, Protect their Religion and Brahmins, maintain the Caste System.
Hindu kings also conduct Monarchy, which is a government with kings.
In Ancient China (Government)->
The Feudal System started during the Shang Dynasty, where the kingdom of a civilisation is distributed into feudal estates and ruled by the shi(officials). These shi receive land from the king in exchange for support, tributes, governing rights and soldiers for war.
The Unitary system is centralised rule over an entire empire, meaning there are standard measures and coins, strict uniform laws and a single writing script (thus creating a sense of unity in the empire).
The Mandate of Heaven is a blessing from heaven, and the ruler is the 'Son of Heaven'. If a ruler does not rule justly and wisely, people will start looking for signs of natural diasaters. That way, they have a certain 'right' to overthrow the ruler.
Lastly, Civil Sercive Examinations determine which people deserves to be officials and which do not. Using 'Best Brains vs Best Blood', the knowledgable people have a higher chance of becoming an official.
In Ancient South East Asia {Aka SEA) (Government)->
It is hard for SEA to become an empire as it is made up of two areas: Mainland and Island. Therefore, there are different kings ruling different areas. Every SEA government is in charge of taxation, justice, the army and organising labour in the kingdom. Government officials are also known as mratans and SEA kings gain power due to Maritime trade.
Divine Kingship is where SEA Kings are given the right to rule, becoming divine rulers and are the middlemen between the Gods and the commoners. The king's palaces become temples after their death as their palaces represented the home of the Gods.
Comparison of 3 ancient civilisations:) : All 3 societies have officials to assist the king in ruling the country, but only in China that officials need knowledge to become one. They also have the right to rule from their Gods. Moreover, the king role was passed down through bloodline, so generations continue. So far, Indian and China Civilisations have accomplished in forming an empire.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Civilisation in China: The Shang Dynasty
Note: I apolgise for not having any pictures
The Origins of the Shang Dynasty came from as early as 3000BCE.
It started from the Yangshao and Longshan Villages.cI will give a bit of explaintion.
-> The Yangshao village started c.3000BCE.
-> Villagers lived together and already knew (wow) how to hunt, rear and farm animals.
Reflections-> This is very surprising as they did so at a really early stage of time.
The Longshan Villagers were the desendents of the Yangshao villagers.
-> They started at about 2200BCE.
-> Their lifestyle was similar to their ancestors as they also knew how to rear and farm animals.
-> However, they stopped hunting, they lived in walled countries and knew how to make pottery from potter's wheels.
Reflections-> In their time, it is amazing how they managed to progress so far and invent such a wonderful piece of equipment. I am also glad that they had stopped hunting as many forests might have been removed and animals killed from ther actions.
Due to the formation of these two villages, their combined effort evolved into the Earliest Proven Civilisation: The Shang Dynasty.
Reflections-> There may be other civilisations before this, but historians have no evidence to prove this statement.
Now, on to the features of the Shang Civilisation.
-> started c.1523-1027BCE
->> Government
-> Ruled by kings
-> Capital City
-> Temples, Palaces and Storehouses.
Reflections-> I wonder why only the royal family of the shang kings get to rule the government. Anyway, they must have ruled their civilisation well!
->> Writing
-> Pictograms
-> Found on Oracle Bones
-> There are over 3000 characters!
-> They have the basis of modern Chinese script
Reflections-> Maybe modern chinese came from te shang dynasty! Cool... And I always thought that chinese was boring!
->> Occupations
-> Farmers: To farm and rear animals
-> Merchants: To trade with other traders
-> Craftsmen: To make pots
-> Priests: To carry out religious ceremonies
Reflections-> Ohh... I wonder if residents are included here... :)
The Decline... of the Shang Civilisation...
Why-> c.1100BCE
Why-> Last Shang king was killed
Reflections-> I cannot believe it! Killed! By the people under his own control! I cannot ever believe it! How could that happen?
I wonder which dynasty I will be doing next? History is fun! :D
Name: Jamie Tay Xue Ning
Register No.5
Class: 1E1
The Origins of the Shang Dynasty came from as early as 3000BCE.
It started from the Yangshao and Longshan Villages.cI will give a bit of explaintion.
-> The Yangshao village started c.3000BCE.
-> Villagers lived together and already knew (wow) how to hunt, rear and farm animals.
Reflections-> This is very surprising as they did so at a really early stage of time.
The Longshan Villagers were the desendents of the Yangshao villagers.
-> They started at about 2200BCE.
-> Their lifestyle was similar to their ancestors as they also knew how to rear and farm animals.
-> However, they stopped hunting, they lived in walled countries and knew how to make pottery from potter's wheels.
Reflections-> In their time, it is amazing how they managed to progress so far and invent such a wonderful piece of equipment. I am also glad that they had stopped hunting as many forests might have been removed and animals killed from ther actions.
Due to the formation of these two villages, their combined effort evolved into the Earliest Proven Civilisation: The Shang Dynasty.
Reflections-> There may be other civilisations before this, but historians have no evidence to prove this statement.
Now, on to the features of the Shang Civilisation.
-> started c.1523-1027BCE
->> Government
-> Ruled by kings
-> Capital City
-> Temples, Palaces and Storehouses.
Reflections-> I wonder why only the royal family of the shang kings get to rule the government. Anyway, they must have ruled their civilisation well!
->> Writing
-> Pictograms
-> Found on Oracle Bones
-> There are over 3000 characters!
-> They have the basis of modern Chinese script
Reflections-> Maybe modern chinese came from te shang dynasty! Cool... And I always thought that chinese was boring!
->> Occupations
-> Farmers: To farm and rear animals
-> Merchants: To trade with other traders
-> Craftsmen: To make pots
-> Priests: To carry out religious ceremonies
Reflections-> Ohh... I wonder if residents are included here... :)
The Decline... of the Shang Civilisation...
Why-> c.1100BCE
Why-> Last Shang king was killed
Reflections-> I cannot believe it! Killed! By the people under his own control! I cannot ever believe it! How could that happen?
I wonder which dynasty I will be doing next? History is fun! :D
Name: Jamie Tay Xue Ning
Register No.5
Class: 1E1
Friday, July 17, 2009
Indus Valley: What do i think?
History- Indus ValleyIn my opinion, the Indus Valley civilisation has a very efficient government. This is proved by the Drainage System (Above...)
Thanks to this government, the Indus Valley is a well-planned city. They are smart to even build shelters against enemies attacks, and to even build
granaries (above) to store food for future comsumption.
The Indus Valley Civilisation people The artefacts that the people of the Indus Valley had left behind. I shall give a few examples: Priests- To carry out religious rituals-> The Great Bath
Craftsmen- To create pottery and bronze tools-> Pots that were left behind
Farmers- Produce food-> Granary
Traders- Sell and Purchase products from other regions-> Coins from the Indus Valley were found elsewhere too
Writing Systems are important in the Indus Valley Civilisation too. Here are some ways:
→ A uniform writing system
→ Seals for trade
Plus, the seal above is an example. Ha!
History is Cool! :D
Jamie Tay Xue Ning
Register no.5
Class 1E1
Date: 17th July 2009
Websites:
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/ancientindusdrains84.html
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/greatbath25.html
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/granarywall41.html
http://www.harappa.com/indus/34.html
Thursday, July 16, 2009
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