I. General Information India is bordered to the North by the Himalayan and Hindu Kush Mts. Passes...
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Transcript of I. General Information India is bordered to the North by the Himalayan and Hindu Kush Mts. Passes...
Classical IndiaCh 3
I. General Information
India is bordered to the North by the Himalayan and Hindu Kush Mts. Passes allowed with contact with other people
groups
Indian agriculture revolves around the summer monsoon season
Main civilization is centered between the Indus River and the Ganges River
Has a diverse culture and a strict caste system
I. General Information
Main invading influences consisted of the Aryans and Alexander the Great (327-325)
Early period is divided into the Vedic Age (1500-1000 BC) and the Epic Age (1000-600 BC)
Main language is Sanskrit
II. Vedic Age and Epic Age
Main time of Aryan migration Hunters and herders Created social classes (Varnas) Brought polytheistic religions (Hinduism)
History was passed down through epics (Vedas) Mahabharata Ramayana Upanishads
II. Vedic Age and Epic Age
Brahmins
PriestKshatriyas-
Warriors
Vaisyas- Traders/ Farmers
Sudras- Common Laborers
Untouchables
III. Mauryan Dynasty
Chandragupta Mauryan (322-298 BC) One of the first rulers to unite most of India Influenced in part by Alexander Had large armies Very paranoid
Had only women close to him Constantly switched rooms
Became an ascetic after putting his son, Bindusara
III. Mauryan Dynasty
Ashoka (269-232 BC) Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya Expanded the empire to include all but the
southern tip of India Very aggressive militarily Converted to Buddhism and sent out
missionaries Built roads and rest areas His death led to the empires eventual
collapse and regional rule The Kushans later took over.
IV. Gupta Empire
The Kushans fell out of power in 220 AD
The Guptas took over in 320 AD
Had a much smaller territory but was much more stable
Allowed autonomy for regional governments Chose to intermarry with local ruling families
to help keep peace
Believed they were appointed by the gods
V. Religion
Hinduism Originated with the Aryans No central founding figure Reacts to other religions Approaches
Ritualistic ceremonies performed by Brahmans Mysticism- unite humans w/ divine essence
Allows for many paths of enlightenment Bhagavad Gita- hymn- emphasis on duty
V. Religion
V. Religion
Bhuddhism Siddhartha Gautama- 563 BC
Buddha- the enlightened one Searched for enlightenment Agrees with Hinduism except caste system
and worldy desires Denied rituals Can reach nirvana by self denial/ destruction Spread by monks
V. Religion
VI. Contributions
Supported Universities
Astronomy- length of solar year
Medical Bone setting, plastic surgery and sterilization
Mathematics Concept of zero, negative numbers, square
roots, “Arabic” numbers and π