Chapter 3 - IndiaChapter 3 - India

Early and Classical IndiaEarly and Classical India

AP WorldAP World

HalsHals

Indus ValleyIndus Valley

Geography of Indian SubcontinentGeography of Indian Subcontinent Juts out from the continentJuts out from the continent Includes modern day India, Pakistan, Sri Includes modern day India, Pakistan, Sri

Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and BangladeshLanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh Northern border, Hindu Kush and HimalayasNorthern border, Hindu Kush and Himalayas

Passage ways in between Passage ways in between

Limited contact, but by no means isolatedLimited contact, but by no means isolated

3 Regions3 Regions 1 – Well-watered Northern 1 – Well-watered Northern

plainplain Indus, Ganges, and Indus, Ganges, and

Brahmaputra RiversBrahmaputra Rivers Rivers seen as sacred (river Rivers seen as sacred (river

“lokmata” or “mother of the “lokmata” or “mother of the people”people”

2 – dry, triangular Deccan2 – dry, triangular Deccan Raised area of level land, Raised area of level land,

juts into Indian O.juts into Indian O. Arid, unproductive, and Arid, unproductive, and

sparsely populatedsparsely populated

3 – coastal plans on either 3 – coastal plans on either side of the Deccanside of the Deccan Separated from Deccan by Separated from Deccan by

low-lying mountains (E and low-lying mountains (E and W Ghats)W Ghats)

Seas for fishing, highways Seas for fishing, highways for tradefor trade

MonsoonsMonsoons

““seasonal wind”seasonal wind” October – blow from NE – bringing hot dry air October – blow from NE – bringing hot dry air

and withering cropsand withering crops Late May, early June – blow from SW – Late May, early June – blow from SW –

bringing moisture form the Indian Oceanbringing moisture form the Indian Ocean Monsoon rains are all about balanceMonsoon rains are all about balance

By the time they come people are desperate for rainBy the time they come people are desperate for rain Too much rain floods and wrecks cropsToo much rain floods and wrecks crops Too little or late rains causes famine and starvationToo little or late rains causes famine and starvation

The monsoon season in India is always awesome and erratic. The death toll in The monsoon season in India is always awesome and erratic. The death toll in flooding so far this year has surpassed 500 across India. A rickshaw puller in flooding so far this year has surpassed 500 across India. A rickshaw puller in

Calcutta coped with a particularly heavy downpour this week. Calcutta coped with a particularly heavy downpour this week. NY Times July 2007NY Times July 2007

Indus Valley CivilizationIndus Valley Civilization Emerged in present day Pakistan c. 2500 Emerged in present day Pakistan c. 2500

BCEBCE Archaeologists pretty sure they had well Archaeologists pretty sure they had well

organized governmentorganized government Powerful leaders would have made sure Powerful leaders would have made sure

that the thousands of city-dwellers had that the thousands of city-dwellers had supply of grainsupply of grain

Uniform bricks suggest government Uniform bricks suggest government plannersplanners

Suggest skills in mathematics and Suggest skills in mathematics and surveying to lay cities out so preciselysurveying to lay cities out so precisely

Indian vessels sailed to Sumer by hugging Indian vessels sailed to Sumer by hugging the coastthe coast

http://www.semp.us/images/Biot576PhotoC.gif

Indus Valley ReligionIndus Valley Religion

Clues – Clues – PolytheisticPolytheistic Mother goddess, source of creation, Mother goddess, source of creation,

seems to be widely honoredseems to be widely honored Worshiped sacred animals – esp. the bullWorshiped sacred animals – esp. the bull

**probably beginnings of the veneration of **probably beginnings of the veneration of cattle** cattle**

Disappearance?Disappearance?

By 1750 BCE quality of life decliningBy 1750 BCE quality of life declining Orderly cities were not as well kept (pottery got cruder)Orderly cities were not as well kept (pottery got cruder)

Damage to local environment?Damage to local environment? Too many trees cut down to fuel the ovens of brick makers?Too many trees cut down to fuel the ovens of brick makers?

Volcanic Eruption?Volcanic Eruption? Did they find tons of river mud in the streets because a Did they find tons of river mud in the streets because a

volcanic eruption? volcanic eruption? Devastating Earthquake?Devastating Earthquake? Probably fell completely ~1500 BCE – nomadic people Probably fell completely ~1500 BCE – nomadic people

arrived in even larger numbers from the Narrived in even larger numbers from the N Aryans had slowly migrated with cattle, sheep, and goats, Aryans had slowly migrated with cattle, sheep, and goats,

horse-drawn chariots and superior weaponshorse-drawn chariots and superior weapons Indus River Valley cities were abandoned and forgottenIndus River Valley cities were abandoned and forgotten

Aryan CivilizationAryan Civilization

Group of Indo-European people who Group of Indo-European people who migrated across Europe and Asiamigrated across Europe and Asia

Priorities – seeking water and pasture for Priorities – seeking water and pasture for horses and cattlehorses and cattle

Didn’t build cities or statuesDidn’t build cities or statues

The The VedasVedas collection of prayers, hymns, and other religious teachings collection of prayers, hymns, and other religious teachings Memorized and recited by priests for over a thousand years before recordedMemorized and recited by priests for over a thousand years before recorded Vedic Age – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCEVedic Age – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE Very little about Aryans is known, most of it is derived from the Very little about Aryans is known, most of it is derived from the VedasVedas

Aryans as depicted in the Aryans as depicted in the VedasVedas Appear as warriors who Appear as warriors who

fought in chariots with bows fought in chariots with bows and arrowsand arrows

Loved eating, drinking, Loved eating, drinking, music, chariot races, and music, chariot races, and dice gamesdice games

Nomadic herders who Nomadic herders who valued cattle (provided food valued cattle (provided food and clothing)and clothing)

Even once settled, farmers Even once settled, farmers measured their worth in measured their worth in cows and bullscows and bulls http://www.indhistory.com/aryan.html

Rig-Veda is the first epic story, 1028 hymns Rig-Veda is the first epic story, 1028 hymns dedicated to the Aryan godsdedicated to the Aryan gods Attributed the rise of the caste system to the godsAttributed the rise of the caste system to the gods

Social Classes – people divided by occupationSocial Classes – people divided by occupation Brahmins – priestsBrahmins – priests Kshatriyas – warriorsKshatriyas – warriors Vaisyas – herders, farmers, artisans, and merchantsVaisyas – herders, farmers, artisans, and merchants Sudras – Dravidians and non-Aryans, farmworkers, Sudras – Dravidians and non-Aryans, farmworkers,

servants, and low level laborersservants, and low level laborers**warriors initially most prestigious, but priests **warriors initially most prestigious, but priests

eventually gain upper hand b/c Brahmins alone eventually gain upper hand b/c Brahmins alone could conduct ceremonies to win favor with the godscould conduct ceremonies to win favor with the gods

UntouchablesUntouchables

Aryans felt superior to those they conqueredAryans felt superior to those they conquered (Dravidians – who might have been the (Dravidians – who might have been the

descendents of the original Indus Valley people)descendents of the original Indus Valley people) Class divisions slowly evolved to reflect social Class divisions slowly evolved to reflect social

and economic roles more than ethnic and economic roles more than ethnic difference between Aryans and non-Aryansdifference between Aryans and non-Aryans

A more complex system of castes emergesA more complex system of castes emerges Castes – people are born into social groups and Castes – people are born into social groups and

cannot change (no social mobility)cannot change (no social mobility)

Aryan Religious BeliefsAryan Religious Beliefs

Polytheistic – gods and goddesses that embody natural Polytheistic – gods and goddesses that embody natural forces (sun&sky, storm&fire)forces (sun&sky, storm&fire) Indra – god of war – chief deityIndra – god of war – chief deity Varuna – god of order and creationVaruna – god of order and creation Agni – god of fire – who communicated human wishes to the Agni – god of fire – who communicated human wishes to the

godsgods Aryans also honor animals like monkey gods and Aryans also honor animals like monkey gods and

snake godssnake gods Brahmins offer sacrifices of food and drinkBrahmins offer sacrifices of food and drink Aryans thought correct rituals and prayers could call on Aryans thought correct rituals and prayers could call on

the gods for health, wealth, and victory in warthe gods for health, wealth, and victory in war

Evolving beliefsEvolving beliefs

Some religious thinkers were moving Some religious thinkers were moving towards idea of a single spiritual force towards idea of a single spiritual force above the gods of Vedas called above the gods of Vedas called “brahman” “brahman”

Brahman believed to reside in all thingsBrahman believed to reside in all things Trend toward mysticismTrend toward mysticism

Mystics – people who devote life to seeking Mystics – people who devote life to seeking spiritual truth (often through meditation and spiritual truth (often through meditation and yoga)yoga)

Expansion and ChangeExpansion and Change

Over centuries, waves of Aryans went Over centuries, waves of Aryans went through the mountain passes into NW through the mountain passes into NW IndiaIndia

Led by chiefs called Led by chiefs called RajahsRajahs Rajahs – skilled war leader elected to his Rajahs – skilled war leader elected to his

position by an assembly of warriorsposition by an assembly of warriors Ruled with advice from a council of elders Ruled with advice from a council of elders

made up of heads of familiesmade up of heads of families

Nomads to FarmersNomads to Farmers

Settle in the Ganges basinSettle in the Ganges basin By ~800 BCE started using ironBy ~800 BCE started using iron Built walled cities with multistory housesBuilt walled cities with multistory houses ~500 BCE new Indian civilization emerges~500 BCE new Indian civilization emerges

Consisted of rival kingdomsConsisted of rival kingdoms Aryan and Dravidian traditions have blendedAryan and Dravidian traditions have blended Sanskrit has developed and priests start writing Sanskrit has developed and priests start writing

down sacred textsdown sacred texts

Epic Age – 1000 BCE – 600 BCEEpic Age – 1000 BCE – 600 BCE Mixes of history, mythology, adventure, and Mixes of history, mythology, adventure, and

religionreligion These epics depict a more settled and These epics depict a more settled and

agricultural society with better organized agricultural society with better organized political units than during the era describe in the political units than during the era describe in the Vedas.Vedas. Evolved over time, priests-poets added new Evolved over time, priests-poets added new

morals to the tales to teach different lessonsmorals to the tales to teach different lessons

Mahabharata – India’s greatest epicMahabharata – India’s greatest epic 100,000 verses of battles of rival Aryan tribes fighting to 100,000 verses of battles of rival Aryan tribes fighting to

control the Ganges regioncontrol the Ganges region 5 royal brothers – Pandavas, lose their kingdom to their 5 royal brothers – Pandavas, lose their kingdom to their

cousinscousins An 18 day battle put the Pandavas back in control and the An 18 day battle put the Pandavas back in control and the

brothers restore peace to Indiabrothers restore peace to India Ramayana – Ramayana –

Story of a hero named Rama and his beautiful bride Sita. Sita Story of a hero named Rama and his beautiful bride Sita. Sita is kidnapped by demon-king Ravanais kidnapped by demon-king Ravana

Rama gets help from Hanuman, the monkey general, and Rama gets help from Hanuman, the monkey general, and rescues Sitarescues Sita

Rama is an ideal king and Sita is an ideal woman b/c she Rama is an ideal king and Sita is an ideal woman b/c she remained loyal and obedient to her husband through many remained loyal and obedient to her husband through many hardshipshardships

Hinduism and BuddhismHinduism and Buddhism

Chart and group time! Chart and group time!

HinduismHinduism VedasVedas, most importantly , most importantly Rig VedaRig Veda UpanishadsUpanishads – appeared 800-400 BCE, – appeared 800-400 BCE,

speaks of a universal spirit known as speaks of a universal spirit known as BrahmanBrahman Believe Believe reincarnationreincarnation – and that the – and that the atman atman

(human spirit) could eventually join the universal (human spirit) could eventually join the universal spirit if the human being behaved ethicallyspirit if the human being behaved ethically

Beliefs eventually called Beliefs eventually called HinduismHinduism Karma, dharma, gods and goddesses Karma, dharma, gods and goddesses

Cremation considered proper burial Cremation considered proper burial ceremonyceremony

Cows considered sacred animals, not to Cows considered sacred animals, not to be consumedbe consumed

BuddhismBuddhism Founded by Siddharta Founded by Siddharta

Gautama (563-483 BCE)Gautama (563-483 BCE) Left his comfy life as a Left his comfy life as a

prince to seek the meaning prince to seek the meaning of lifeof life

Eventually experienced an Eventually experienced an enlightenmentenlightenment

Became called Became called the Buddhathe Buddha, , meaning “Enlightened one”meaning “Enlightened one”

Shared with his followers, Shared with his followers, never claimed to be a godnever claimed to be a god

After death some of his After death some of his followers consider him a deityfollowers consider him a deity

Buddhism spreads slowlyBuddhism spreads slowly

Two main sectsTwo main sects

Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism strongest in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos strongest in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos

and Burma (Myanmar). It is sometimes called and Burma (Myanmar). It is sometimes called 'Southern Buddhism‘'Southern Buddhism‘

Mahayana Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism strongest in Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and strongest in Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and

MongoliaMongolia Includes Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Includes Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism (source BBC: Buddhism 101)(source BBC: Buddhism 101)

The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths The essence of the Buddha's teachingsThe essence of the Buddha's teachings It was these four principles that the Buddha came to understand It was these four principles that the Buddha came to understand

during his meditation under the bodhi tree.during his meditation under the bodhi tree. The truth of suffering (Dukkha)The truth of suffering (Dukkha) The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya)The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya) The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha) The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)

The Buddha is often compared to a physician. In the first two The Buddha is often compared to a physician. In the first two Noble Truths he diagnosed the problem (suffering) and identified Noble Truths he diagnosed the problem (suffering) and identified its cause. The third Noble Truth is the realization that there is a its cause. The third Noble Truth is the realization that there is a cure. The fourth Noble Truth, in which the Buddha set out the cure. The fourth Noble Truth, in which the Buddha set out the Eightfold Path, is the prescription, the way to achieve a release Eightfold Path, is the prescription, the way to achieve a release from suffering.from suffering.

(Source: BBC: Buddhism 101)(Source: BBC: Buddhism 101)

Buddha’s Six PositionsBuddha’s Six Positions

Regional DevelopmentsRegional Developments

By 600 BCE, 16 major states existedBy 600 BCE, 16 major states existed Monarchies, republics, you name itMonarchies, republics, you name it

Magadha, a regional state, begins Magadha, a regional state, begins establishing dominanceestablishing dominance Dates: 327 BCE Alexander the Great Dates: 327 BCE Alexander the Great

pushed into NW Indiapushed into NW India 322 – Changragupta Maurya siezes power 322 – Changragupta Maurya siezes power

along the Ganges Riveralong the Ganges River

Chandragupta MauryaChandragupta Maurya

First to unify a bunch of the First to unify a bunch of the subcontinentsubcontinent

Maintains large armies with Maintains large armies with thousands of chariots and thousands of chariots and elephant-borne troopselephant-borne troops

Develops bureaucracy Develops bureaucracy Very autocraticVery autocratichttp://www.vishwakala.net/uniportal/

info/info.asp?xp=911&xi=4343&xl=3&o=0&t=

AshokaAshoka 269-232 BCE269-232 BCE Chandragupta’s grandsonChandragupta’s grandson Governor of two provinces, continues to use Governor of two provinces, continues to use

his military to extend his lands (quite brutally)his military to extend his lands (quite brutally) Inspired by BuddhismInspired by Buddhism

spread Buddhism throughout India, while spread Buddhism throughout India, while honoring Hinduismhonoring Hinduism

Sent Buddhist missionaries to the ME and Sent Buddhist missionaries to the ME and Sri LankaSri Lanka

Builds up infrastructure (trade, communication, Builds up infrastructure (trade, communication, road networks with wells and rest stops)road networks with wells and rest stops)

http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/ashoka/ashoka.jpg

Successes and DeclineSuccesses and Decline

SuccessesSuccesses Buddhism’s presence in India grows and Buddhism’s presence in India grows and

persistspersists Reasons for DeclineReasons for Decline

After Ashoka dies, the empire falls back After Ashoka dies, the empire falls back into its regional kingdomsinto its regional kingdoms

Kushans invade from the NWKushans invade from the NW Rule until about 220 CE, emphasize Rule until about 220 CE, emphasize

Buddhism, but actually make it less Buddhism, but actually make it less popular (by associating it with foreign popular (by associating it with foreign rule)rule)

About 100 years of instability About 100 years of instability http://moinansari.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/ashoka-empire.jpg

The GuptasThe Guptas

320 – 535 CE320 – 535 CE Greatest period of stabilityGreatest period of stability Autocratic kings and emperors, trying to Autocratic kings and emperors, trying to

negotiate with regional leadershipnegotiate with regional leadership Many regions had aristocratic assemblies as Many regions had aristocratic assemblies as

wellwell

Claimed religious appointmentClaimed religious appointment Although that idea only appealed to HindusAlthough that idea only appealed to Hindus

Not exactly uniformityNot exactly uniformity

No single language, many regional No single language, many regional languages languages

Sanskrit only the language of the Sanskrit only the language of the educated peopleeducated people

Create a demanding tax systemCreate a demanding tax system Allow regional leaders to control their Allow regional leaders to control their

region if they acknowledged the Guptas region if they acknowledged the Guptas authorityauthority

Uniform law codesUniform law codes Road buildingRoad building Developed universitiesDeveloped universities Kautilya – Chandr.’s advisor had legalist-Kautilya – Chandr.’s advisor had legalist-

ish advice for how to lead; stressed ish advice for how to lead; stressed efficiencyefficiency

The Caste SystemThe Caste System

The true caste system sets inThe true caste system sets in Subcastes established; nearly 300 jati Subcastes established; nearly 300 jati

(livings)(livings) Could actually marry downCould actually marry down Caste rules governed marriages, permissible Caste rules governed marriages, permissible

jobs, social habits (like eating and drinking)jobs, social habits (like eating and drinking) No state could command full loyalty from No state could command full loyalty from

subjects – their first loyalty was to castesubjects – their first loyalty was to caste

Religious BeliefsReligious Beliefs

Hinduism continues to become the dominant religion of IndiaHinduism continues to become the dominant religion of India Can encourage political and economic goals (artha) and Can encourage political and economic goals (artha) and

worldly pleasures (karma)worldly pleasures (karma) Very fluid – adaptable to the needs of various groups and can Very fluid – adaptable to the needs of various groups and can

change with circumstancechange with circumstance Bhagavad Gita – Bhagavad Gita – classic sacred hymn about a warrior doing classic sacred hymn about a warrior doing

battle against relativesbattle against relatives ““he will not really be killing his victims because their divine he will not really be killing his victims because their divine

spirit will live on” - Stearnsspirit will live on” - Stearns Ethical concept of dharma much less detailed and prescriptive Ethical concept of dharma much less detailed and prescriptive

than Christianity or Islamthan Christianity or Islam Inner study and meditationInner study and meditation

BuddhismBuddhism Denies validity of the caste systemDenies validity of the caste system Upholds idea of reincarnationUpholds idea of reincarnation Argue holy life could be achieved through Argue holy life could be achieved through

individual effort by people at every level of individual effort by people at every level of societysociety Denies spiritual value of castes, rituals and Denies spiritual value of castes, rituals and

priestspriests

Organize monasteries and monksOrganize monasteries and monks

NalandaNalanda

University CenterUniversity Center Religion, philosophy, medicine, Religion, philosophy, medicine,

architecture and agriculturearchitecture and agriculture Over 100 lecture halls, 3 libraries, Over 100 lecture halls, 3 libraries,

astronomical observatory, and a model astronomical observatory, and a model dairydairy

Astronomy and MedicineAstronomy and Medicine

Aryabhatta – calculates length of the solar year and improves Aryabhatta – calculates length of the solar year and improves mathematical measurementsmathematical measurements

Earth rotates daily on its axisEarth rotates daily on its axis Predicted and explained eclipsesPredicted and explained eclipses Theory of gravityTheory of gravity Identify seven planetsIdentify seven planets (religion banned dissection, but…)(religion banned dissection, but…) Bone setting and plastic surgeryBone setting and plastic surgery Smallpox vaccineSmallpox vaccine Sterilization of woundsSterilization of wounds

MathMath

Arabic numbering systemArabic numbering system Concept of zeroConcept of zero Decimal systemDecimal system Concept of negative numbersConcept of negative numbers Square rootsSquare roots Table of sinesTable of sines Calculated pi more accurately than the Calculated pi more accurately than the

GreeksGreeks

SocietySociety

Very tight family unitVery tight family unit Husband dominantHusband dominant But mutually respectful relationship But mutually respectful relationship

between the husband and wifebetween the husband and wife Young children are doted onYoung children are doted on Children expected to work hardChildren expected to work hard Adults obliged to care for older relativesAdults obliged to care for older relatives

EconomicsEconomics

Produced fine cotton cloth, calico, and Produced fine cotton cloth, calico, and cashmere goodscashmere goods

Merchants - enjoy fairly high caste system Merchants - enjoy fairly high caste system and the flexibility of the Hindu ethicand the flexibility of the Hindu ethic

Tamils – S. India tradersTamils – S. India traders Traded cotton and silks, dyes, drugs, gold, and Traded cotton and silks, dyes, drugs, gold, and

ivoryivory Brought in pottery, wine, metals, some slaves, Brought in pottery, wine, metals, some slaves,

and goldand gold