Classical Civilization

India

The Roots of Civilization in India

Geography of India

• India is a huge triangular peninsula• Sometime called a subcontinent

• Made up of three basic regions• Himalayas• Northern Plains• Deccan or southern plateau

Himalayas-world’s highest mountain

Himalayas• Provide barrier to north from China• Rugged climate, freezing temperatures, few people

South of Himalayas

• Wide stretch of plains with Indus & Ganges Rivers

Deccan Plateau

• Forms most of Indian peninsula• Relies on monsoons for water• Volatile weather systems create uncertain farming

Indus Valley Civilization

• Territory of Indus Valley much larger than civilizations of Egypt & Mesopotamia• Early civilizations found around 2500 BC• Cities of Mohenjo Daro & Harappa

• Cities had indoor plumbing & sewer systems

Life in the Indus Valley• People were polytheists• Built brick houses – two story• Became sea traders with ports on the

Arabian sea

Arrival of Aryans

• Aryans came around 1500 BC• Indus Valley declined around this time• Aryans • Lighter skin• Spoke Indo-European language• Classified as warlike nomads• No written records

Vedas

• Knowledge of Aryans comes from Vedas• Four sacred texts• Vedas are collection of hymns, prayers, wise

sayings•Most important Rig-Veda• Shows Aryans liked fighting, singing, chariot

races• Worshiped natural forces, like the sun

Aryan Society• Aryan society had a class system• Warrior-nobles• Priests• Common people• Male & female roles clearly defined

•Men warriors & raised cattle•Women raised crops, wove cloth, ground

grain, & tended children

Rajah

• Rajah in Aryan society was the chief• Slowly an evolution began• Rajahs set up their own kingdoms of

small villages• Ruled as a hereditary leader

•More rigid class structure developed

Aryan Rajahs-Class System

• Class system turned into a rigid unchangeable system• Four classes with its own dharma• Code of conduct

• Classes• Priests or Brahmins• Warrior/Nobles or Kshatriya• Common People or Vaisya• Laboring class or Sudra

Caste system in India

• Developed over 1,000 of years• Very strict rules & customs• Cannot associate with someone of lower

caste• Outcasts or untouchables• People who commit serious crimes• Perform the worst jobs in society

Hinduism & Hindu Society

• The religion of early Hindus people & Aryans developed into Hinduism• Upanishads• Hymns & poems of the Vedas• Collections of writings• Ideas of right & wrong• Ideas of universal order & human destiny

Hinduism General Facts

•World’s third largest religion• 800 million followers

•Most adherents live in India• Historical roots are in the caste system• Developed over thousand of years• Blended early religions of Aryans & Dravidians

• No single founder or leader of Hinduism

Concept of Universal Spirit

• Hinduism has concept of universal spirit as do most Eastern religions• Universal spirit is responsible for what

happens in universe• This spirit encompasses humans

• All human souls (called atman) are pieces of the spirit trapped inside a physical body

What Happens when you Die?• Greatest desire of human soul is to unite

with the universal spirit• When you die you have this opportunity

• Each person has a karma• A destiny shaped by years of cause & effect• Your outward indication of your karma is the

caste you live in

What Happens when you Die?(Continued)

• Attached to karma is dharma• Dharma is your set of duties to perform

• If you have fulfilled your set of duties or your dharma--- then• the atman will be reincarnated in the next life to

a higher caste

Hinduism & caste system

•Members of Brahmin caste in original Aryan religion had attained their status• Through many reincarnations

• Higher castes have the opportunity to attain moksha • Moksha is reunion with universal spirit

• Caste system in modern India is illegal• Buddhism was very critical of Hindu caste

system

Is Hinduism polytheistic? Universal Spirit & individual gods

• Simplistic to say that Hinduism is polytheistic• All the gods are part of the universal spirit• Is Hinduism is actually monotheistic?

Major Hindu godsVishnu—the preserver

• Vishnu is the second god of the Hindu triad • Known as preserver of the universe • Represents mercy and goodness• Said to be the cosmic ocean nara, meaning

water • For this reason, he is also known as Narayana, or

"one who moves on the waters"

Vishnu

Hindu gods often portrayed with multiple hands or mudras (hand signals)

Vishnu

Shiva—the destroyer

• Shiva is the destroyer of the world• Responsible for change in the form of death

and destruction• Also, responsible for positive sense of

destroying the ego• Includes shedding of old habits

Shiva

Seated on tiger skin; tiger skin represents the Mind

Vedas

• Doctrines of Hinduism stem from the Vedas• Epic poems sung by priests• Eventually written down

• Rig Veda most significant• Deals with deities: Indra & Varuna & their

relationship with humans

Hindu Poems & Stories

•Mahabharata• World’s longest poem

• Ramayana• Represents the fulfillment of dharma, especially

relationships of husband & wife• Bhagavad-Gita• Best known story in Hinduism (part of

Mahabharata)• About the warrior Arjuna

Bhagavad-Gita

• Warrior Arjuna must go to battle against his cousins• His charioteer (god Krishan in disguise) reveals

to him nature of human soul (atman) & cycle of rebirth

• Poem is moral guideline as are all Hindu poems• You could start reading the Hindu poems at birth

and never finish by end of your life

The Bhagavad-GitaOur bodies are know to end, but the embodied Self is enduring,Indestructible, and immeasurable;therefore, Arjuna, fight the battle!he who thinks this Self a killerand he who thinks it killed,both fail to understand;it does not kill, nor is it killed.

The Bhagavad-Gita

It is not born,it does not die…it is enduring, all pervasivefixed, immobile, and timeless…The self embodied in thebody of every being is indestructible;you have no cause to grieve for all thesecreatures, Arjuna!

Belief of Reincarnation• There is a “world spirit” or “supreme

principle” called Brahman• This spirit present in everyone & living

creatures• All are part of the “world spirit”

• Goal of a Hindu is to return to Brahman• Be absorbed into this universal spirit• Takes more than one lifetime (reincarnation)

• Speed of absorption depends on ones karma

Karma

• All of the good & bad acts of ones previous life• Good karma means you will be born into a

better life• Caste system fits with this belief• Brahmins at top with knowledge of Vedas• Must perform correct dharma within your class

to achieve good karma

Important Components in Hinduism

1. Attain perfect understanding2. Reincarnation3. Reach enlightenment or develop a

relationship with the "universal spirit“(known as Mokṣha)

Key Elements in Hindu families• Close family ties• Obedience to elders•Women run household, care for children,

obedient to husbands• Little independence• Could not remarry

• Husbands give wife luxuries• Jewelry (gold– inheritance)

Buddhism• Began in Ganges River valley with

Siddhartha Gautama• Siddhartha was from privileged class• Abandoned his class to seek the meaning

of life• Experienced enlightenment under bodhi

(boh-dee) tree

Buddhism

• Buddha taught that everyone could reach nirvana or union with the universal spirit• Different from Hinduism that related

reincarnating to the caste system• Hinduism saw individuals going through the

various castes based on their previous life• Reaching nirvana in Buddhism means not

suffering

Buddhism

• Nirvana in Buddhism is similar to Hindu belief of attaining moksha• Moksha, however, could only be attained by

upper classes• Nirvana can be reached through

understanding the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

Buddhism & Four Noble Truths1. All of life is suffering2. All suffering is caused by desire for things that

ultimately won’t fulfill us3. Desire can only be overcome by ending all desire4. Desire can only be ended by following the

Eightfold Path

Buddhism & Eightfold Path

1. Right understanding2. Right concentration3. Right intention4. Right speech5. Right action6. Right livelihood7. Right effort8. Right mindfulness

Buddhism & Eightfold Path

• By following the eightfold path anyone can reach nirvana

• Buddhism broad appeal is that anyone can achieve satisfaction in life

Buddhism

• Buddhism was advanced by King Ashoka in India & by through the trade routes• Silk Road• Indian Ocean Trade

The Silk Road

Silk Road• Silk Road extended overland from Xi’an, China to

eastern Mediterranean• Began in 2nd century BCE when a Chinese general

made it to the Tarim Basin in central Asia and discovered “heavenly horses”

Silk Road• Chinese had many goods to trade, especially

highly prized silk• Now willing to trade silk for horses• Tarim Basin connected to the western trade

routes• By 100 BCE Greeks could buy silk from

Mesopotamian traders who had traded with the nomads of Tarim Basin• Goods made it all the way to Rome although

Romans & Chinese probably never had contact

Silk Road: What was traded?• Traders going west from China carried peaches,

apricots, cinnamon, ginger, spices, & silk• Traders going east carried alfalfa (for horses), grapes,

pistachios, sesame, and spinach• Other things: stirrup (major innovation) came from

Afghanistan and made its way both to China & Europe• Ideas!: Buddhism and Christianity, customs• Much of Silk Road held together and managed by

nomads of central Asia (provided protection)

Indian Ocean Trade

Indian Ocean Trade

• Indian Ocean traders traveled back and forth from one of its three legs

1. Southeastern China to Southeast Asia2. Southeast Asia to the eastern coast of India3. The western coast of India to the Red Sea and

eastern coast of Africa

Indian Ocean TradeWhat was traded?• Ivory: from Africa, India, and Mesopotamia• Frankincense & myrrh (fragrances): from southern

Arabia• Pearls: from Persian Gulf• Spices: from India & Southeast Asia• Manufactured goods & pottery: from China

Differences in Sailing VesselsMediterranean & Indian Ocean• Mediterranean Sea very calm water• Sails large and flat to pick up wind• Ships had rows & stayed close to shore

• Indian Ocean• Strong seasonal winds making navigation difficult, so

lateen sail (triangular) was used –more maneuverable• Boats smaller than used in Mediterranean

Mediterranean ships

Lateen sail for rough monsoon waters

Trans Saharan Trade• Prior to Classical Age Sahara Desert served as a

natural geographical barrier between Sub-Saharan Africa and those living in north and east• Introduction of camel (probably around 1st century

BCE) made it possible for trade caravans

Saharan Trade• Technological advancement: camel saddle

allowing trade goods to be transported• Desert salt was a strong trading

commodity• Traders from Sub-Saharan Africa brought

forest products, kola nuts and palm oil for the salt

• Items from Sub-Saharan Africa would make their way to Eastern Africa & then into Indian Ocean trade networks

Chronology of Classical India• 563-483 BCELife of Buddha• 326 BCE BCE Alexander the Great’s Army

reaches western India• 322-185 BCEMauryan Empire• 269-232 BCEReign of Ashoka• 200 BCE-150 CE Division of Buddhism (Theravada

& Mahayana schools)• ca. 50-250 CE Kushan Empire in northwest India• ca. 320-550 CE Gupta Empire

Mauryan Empire

• Alexander the Great’s expedition into India disrupted the governmental system in northwest India (Indus River Valley)• Persian King Darius had been there in 518

BCE• Alexander in 326 BCE

• Political vacuum was filled by Chandragupta Maurya & Mauryan Empire first imperial state • Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE)

• Chandragupta drew a treaty with heirs of Alexander and set boundary in the north along the Hindu Kush mountains

Chandragupta Maurya

• Perhaps followed Alexander the Great as a model-- formed a strong monarchy with a powerful army• He was a cynical realist favoring political

centralization• Chief adviser was Kautilya who wrote a

manual for leaders• Very similar to Legalist thinkers who followed

the Zhou in China

Chandragupta Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya

• Lived in great splendor • Surrounded by an

entourage of women• They cooked his food,

served his wine, & lulled him to sleep with music

The successful historical show that began in 2010

Mauryan Life, Institutes, & Networks

• Estimated population of that time was 50 to 100 million people• Capital was at Patna on Ganges River

Patna• Largest city of the world at that time• 500, 000 residents • Timber walls around the city • 21 miles in circumference, 570 towers,

surrounded by a moat of 900 feet

Height of the Mauryan Empire• Reached it height under King Ashoka whose

name means “Sorrowless”•Was the grandson of Chandragupta

269-232 BCE

Ashoka

• Rose to power under bloody campaigns of eliminating rivals and gaining territory• Had a transformational experience and

became a Buddhist• Look in the future to John Newton

• Early edicts were carved into rocks and sand pillars boasting of enemies slain & captured• Late edit proclaimed: “the greatest victory is

the victory of righteousness”

Ashoka the Buddhist• Spent remaining years of his life promoting

pacifist ideas • Shaped laws around Buddhist teachings• Sponsored public works: hospitals & medical

care provided by state• Planted trees, dug wells, developed parks• Did not demand that individuals convert, but

worked to treat all fairly• Ultimately, the effect was to create political

legacy of a leader who had a divinely sanctioned role is a cosmic scheme

Decline of Mauryas

• Ashoka rule with popular claim, but within 50 years after his death, Mauryans were overthrown & empire destroyed• End of Mauryan Empire set different pattern than

that of China• China: long periods of unity interspersed with

short intervals of political fragmentation• India: periods of unity, very brief, followed by

prolonged fragmentation• India, however had very strong cultural unity

Gupta Age 320-550 CE

• Gupta Age is considered by Indians as their golden age• Economic prosperity and tolerant government• Major developments in science, medicine,

mathematics, & literature• Roman Empire was in steep decline and

China had another chaotic period between the Han and Sui Dynasties

Gupta Empire 320-550 CE

Gupta Empire: Government & Economy• Gupta family & allies carved out empire about

the same size as Ashoka• Government was decentralized with autonomy

outside of the core, but their was allegiance• King Chandra Gupta II (375-414) recognized as

the overlord; • the southern part of India did not come under his

influence, but there was no resistance to his rule

Gupta Empire Economy

• Strong evidence of internal and external trade• India became the textile center of the world• Produced calico, linen, wool, & cotton for export

by sea and land• Exported jewels, pepper, spices, & timber• Exports went into Middle East, Europe, and far

east China• Gupta government favored business • Low taxes

Gupta Culture• Tremendous domestic peace, personal

freedom, religious tolerance, & fair justice system• Chinese visitor, “The people are very well off, they

kill no living thing, & criminals are fined according to circumstances.”

• Guptas helped build a Buddhist monastery• They built a university at Nalanda• Students came from all over Asia to study logic,

medicine, and Hindu philosophy

Gupta Society & Gender Relations• Patriarchy became more dominant over time•Mahabharata warned men, “not to put

confidence in a woman or coward, a lazybones, a violent man, a thief, or an atheist.”•Women in southern India did have more

status based on goddess worship in the religion• Kama Sutra

Gupta Society & Gender Relations• Gupta India was not a golden age for women• Code of Manu devised by Bahamans said, “in

childhood a female must be subject to her father, in youth to her husband, and when her lord is dead, to her sons; a woman must never be independent”• Many girls pledged to marriage by their fathers

before puberty• Ancient custom of sati, women jump into a fire

killing themselves when husband dies

Sati• Outlawed in 1829• Last known and highly publicized case was in 1987• In the Vedas: performing sati relinquishes the husband from

all his sins• Guarantees the wife heavenly bliss • If not performed woman comes back as a woman again

Gupta Science & Mathematics• Gupta India became the world’s

leading producer of scientific knowledge• Major astronomers,

mathematicians, & physicians• Aryabhata (AR-ya-BAH-ta) ca. 476-

550• Taught that the earth was round,

rotated on its own axis, & revolved around the sun as a family of planets

Gupta Science & Mathematics• Aryabhata analyzed quadratic

equations and the value of pi• Greatest Gupta achievement was

the concept of zero• Base could have been any number

and Guptas probably picked 10 because of 10 fingers

• Guptas great in chemistry• Made soap, cement, & first

tempered steel

Guptas Other Achievements• Developed yoga and the power

of the mind over the body• Physicians discovered the

function of the spinal cord• Developed holistic herbal

medicines• Doctors learned to sterilize

wounds, do Caesarian deliveries, & perform plastic surgery

Gupta Culture and Arts

• Great period for literature and performing arts• The lute, vina, and sitar came alive in Gupta

India

Decline of the Guptas

• Last half of the fifth century the Huns invaded the Indus Valley• Huns had been unsettling Europe

• Soon the empire disintegrated, and other Central Asian invaders followed the Huns into north India• By 650 CE India had entered a period of

fragmentation, political instability, & frequent warfare• This opened the door of conquest by the Muslims