CLASSICAL INDIA

Daily Objective:

To compare and contrast the social, political, and economic characteristics of the Classical Civilizations.

I. Vedic and Epic Ages (1500-600 BCE)

1500 B.C.E. - fall of the Indus River Valley Civilization (Harappa)

1500 – 600 B.C.E. – Formative Pre-classical Period Nomadic Aryan invaders move in, begin building new

civilization Geographical shift to Ganges River Emergence of rigid social structures and the Caste System Combination of native Dravidian and Aryan religions

creates Hinduism Sanskrit: unifying written

language spread

Aryans shift to the Ganges River

I. continued

Early Religion and Culture Vedas: religious texts of Aryans; collection of

hymns and prayers

Later during Epic Age: Upanishads

Reflects blending ideas with native Dravidians

Universal spirit, Brahman; if you live a good life, you can hope to be reincarnated to a higher caste, and eventually unite with the universal spirit

II. Political Development

Less cohesive/unified than classical China's political culture Politically fragmented due to diverse geography

(Regionalism) Different types of gov't in different areas

Monarchies, assemblies of priests/warriors common Warfare common No single language or religion ever took root Caste System firmly in place so political authority only of secondary

importance 327 B.C.E. - Alexander the Great invades 322 B.C.E. - Chandragupta Maurya seizes power

along the Ganges river, begins Mauryan dynasty Borrows from Alexander the Great:

Large, powerful armies Autocratic (absolute) ruler Large bureaucracy

II. continued...

Mauryan dynasty united much of the sub-continent for 300 years

Grandson Ashoka (269-232 BCE): Conquered many regions with large armies Converted to Buddhism after very bloody battle Tried to promote peace, tolerance, nonviolence Built extensive road networks with wells/rest stops

Invaders and political unrest led to decline of Mauryan dynasty

India returned to 500 years of fragmented regional kingdoms

II. continued...

Gupta dynasty centralized power (320 CE) Under Gupta dynasty, longest period of political

stability Focused on negotiating with regional Kings rather

than conquest Promoted uniform law code Supported higher education and arts Hindu revival Profitable trade Considered “golden age” of Indian history

Fell in 535 CE to invading Huns

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III. Economy

Agriculture based Most of population were farming peasants

Focus on trade and merchant activity Merchants had high caste status Trade within India and outside thanks to sea routes on

Indian Ocean Trade network Rivaled China in terms of technological

advancement Chemistry Steel Ironmaking Manufacturing – cotton cloth, calico, cashmere

Extensive Trade: 4cExtensive Trade: 4c Extensive Trade: 4cExtensive Trade: 4c

spices

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rice & rice & wheatwheathorseshorses

cotton goods

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Rigid Social Hierarchy based on

Aryan:

Varnas

Shudras:Shudras:Common LaborersCommon Laborers

Vaishyas:Vaishyas:Traders, farmersTraders, farmers

Kshatriyas:Kshatriyas:Warriers, Warriers,

governors governors

Pariahs UntouchablesPariahs Untouchables

Brahmins:Brahmins:PriestsPriests

IV. Social Structure

IV. continued...

Caste system becomes hereditary Marriage between castes forbidden,

punishable by death Each caste subdivided into 300+ jati

(livings) and people were assigned occupations

Gender relations Patriarchal Husbands & fathers were dominant figures Arranged marriages became the norm More emphasis on loving relations and sexual

pleasure than Chinese; small children often pampered

V. Religion

• Hinduism– From the Sanskrit word, sindhu, meaning “river.”– No single founder - combination of beliefs– Spiritual leaders called gurus or sages– Polytheistic & pantheistic – “god is all”– Main beliefs:

• Brahma – is the entire universe (pantheism)• Several gods over see different aspects of life• Vishnu, Shiva

• Karma - actions in this life that affect the next• Dharma - the religious and moral duties of an

individual• Caste system

V. continued...

• Buddhism– Founded by Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha=

“Enlightened One”)• An Indian Prince who lived in luxury and

comfort yet realized life is full of suffering• Meditated until he became enlightened

– Basic Ideas:– It is important to live a moral life– The cause of suffering is desire for things such as

riches, power and long life.– Enlightenment is achieved through meditation– The ultimate goal is nirvana - union with the

universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.

V. concluded.

• Hinduism & Buddhism shared beliefs– Karma, reincarnation – keeping people bound

to the earth– Emphasis on compassion and non-violence– Emphasize meditation and renouncing worldly

things in order to reach the spiritual afterlife

Thesis Paragraph

Analyze the similarities and difference in the social and gender structures of two of the following Classical Civilizations:

Han China (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.)Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E.–550 C.E.)

Key Vocabulary – Chapter 3

BuddhaAlexander the GreatAryanSanskritVedasVarnasUntouchablesChandragupta

MauryaMauryan dynasty

KushansGuptasGurusReincarnationVishnu ShivaNirvanaStupas