Classical India 321 BCE – 185 CE

Mauryan&

Gupta DynastiesK.M.H.S.

AP World HistoryMrs. Farbacher

Geographic BarriersKhyberPass

Essential Questions

What geographical features would favor the acquisition of wealth and power in India? How?

Why was India consistently vulnerable to invasion despite location? [C & C]

How did the invasions of Darius of Persia and Alexander the Great influence the unification of India?

Compare and contrast political tendencies in India and China. [C/C]

People-Concepts-Terms

Chandragupta Maurya

Ashoka Chandra

Gupta Arthashastra

Caste System Mahabarata Bhagavad

Gita Ramayana Indian Ocean

Trade

Mauryan Dynasty

Invasions Influence Unification

Darius of Persia Invaded N. India Creates a

province of Achaemenid Empire

Introduced Persian administrative policy

Alexander the Great Made no lasting

impression By defeating

Persians & crushing existing states

He created a political power vacuum

Unification [320 BCE]

Chandragupta Maurya Replaced

Magadha Unifier Arthashastra

Book of governance

Utilized spies Implemented

policies of standardization

Oversaw trade and agriculture

Built an effective bureaucracy

Chandragupta Maurya

Mauryan Golden Age 268-232 BCE

Ashoka [Chandragupta’s grandson] Conquered most of subcontinent

Tightly controlled bureaucracy Centralized treasury & tax collection

Converted to Buddhism Published edicts throughout

Note example column

Empire disappeared after his death

Ashoka

Symbol Of Ashoka

Four Lion Column Symbol for modern

Republic Of India[Worlds largest democracy]

Gupta Dynasty

Statuary is Very lifelike, Voluptuous, &

Portrays movement [Compare to Egypt]

Kushan & Gupta Dynasties

Kushan Bactria

Modern Afghanistan

Heirs to Alexander

Held trade routes

Chandra Gupta Smaller than

Mauryan Temporarily re-

unified Reverted back to

regional kingdoms Until 1500s

                                                   

Economic System

Highly productive agriculture

Manufacturing Large scale

businesses Distribution

Large entrepreneur /merchant class

Production: Iron tools Textiles [cotton] Pottery Luxury items

Diamonds Rubies Gold

Indian Ocean Trade

Trade Goods & Routes

Long Distance Trade

Location and Persian Roads Silk Roads & Indian Ocean trade

routes Indian merchants into S.E. Asia Trade Goods:

Pearls SpicesCotton Exotic produceBlack pepper Gems

Traditions & Gender Roles Patriarchal

Nuclear families Child marriage

Young girls engaged

Men in their 20s Married at puberty Kept women under

the power of men Long tradition

[continuity]

Indian Epics Support

patriarchy Proscribe the

role of women Mahabharata

Bhagavad Gita Ramayana

Sita’s role when Rama was exiled.

Mahabharata

Bhagavad Gita

Ramayana

Ganesha Lord of Success

Indian Art & ArchitectureColorful with much

symbolism

Vishnu Lakshimi

Durga Shiva

Saraswati Ganesha

Caste System Introduced by Aryans Purpose to maintain an orderly society Castes:

BrahminsPriests

KshatriyasWarriors & aristocracy

VaishyasPeasants & merchants

ShudrasSerfs

Caste System

Legacies of Classical India MATHEMATICS

“Arabic

numerals” Concept zero Decimal system

ASTRONOMY Predict eclipses Identify planets

MEDICINE Inoculation

against small pox

Sterilization = medical procedures

Plastic surgery Setting bones

Enduring Questions

Be prepared to examine and evaluate all of India’s legacies.

Be prepared to compare India – China – Roman political systems, economic systems, cultural tendencies.

Classical India

Salvation ReligionsHinduism -Jainism

Buddhism

Salvation Religions of India

Hinduism Jainism Buddhism

Hinduism Religion of Vedic Age Aryan gods

[polytheism] War god INDRA Multiple gods of

sun, etc. Ethical god

Varuna Ritual Sacrifices:

Priests > specialists Power & favor >

outcomes

Spirituality Dissatisfaction

with ritual Shift to spiritual

contemplation Retreat to

isolation [hermits] Adapted

Dravidian: Transmigration

Reincarnation

Blending Aryan/Dravidian UPANISHADS c. 800 BCE

Religious teachings 800-400 B.C.E. Religious forums/dialogues

BRAHMAN “Universal Soul” Highest goal > Moksha

Escape reincarnation Join with Brahman

Blending Aryan/Dravidian UPANISHAD TEACHINGS:

SAMSARA– Process of incarnation & reincarnation

KARMA– Specific incarnations [actions invest in

future incarnations] MOKSHA

– Permanent liberation from physical incarnation

Religion & Vedic Society Reinforced social hierarchy Promoted high ethical standards Respect for all living things = AHIMSA Vegetarian diet

Reincarnation

Basic Tenets of Hinduism Source: Rig Vedas Upanishad

discourses Creative force:

Hindu TrinityBrahmaVishnu / Shiva

Ahimsa Reincarnation Moksha

Dharma Doctrine [ethics &

duties] Samsara

Cycle of incarnation / reincarnation

Karma Current incarnation

Actions wherein invest in future

Moksha Release from cycle

of incarnation / reincarnation

Hinduism [c. 800 BCE]

“Do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain."

(From the Mahabharata 5.1517) Not a missionary religion Gains popularity because the way

to achieve moksha is not as difficult as in Buddhism

Recognizes the caste system.

Jainism [7th Century BCE]

“In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.”

(Lord Mahavir 24th Tirthankara)

• Founder• Vardhamana Mahavira

• Very strict adherence to ahimsa• Strict nonviolence toward all

living things

• Promotes asceticism• Jains are strict vegetarians• Does not recognize the caste system

Buddhism“Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.“

From the Udanavarga 5.18

Buddhism [528 BCE]

Siddhartha Gautama [asceticism] Becomes Buddha after death Buddha > “The Enlightened One”

Nirvana Salvation [release from cycle of

reincarnation] AHIMSA Missionary Does not recognize the caste system Appealing to women and lower

castes.

Tenets of Buddhism FOUR NOBLE

TRUTHS: All life is suffering Desire is the

cause of suffering Elimination of

desire brings an end to suffering

Follow the Noble Eightfold Path

Dharma> doctrine Noble Eightfold

Path Right belief Right resolve Right speech Right behavior Right occupation Right effort Right contemplation Right meditation

Religions of Asia

Major Sects of Buddhism

www.buddha101.com/h_maps.htm

Theravada Buddhism

“The Lesser Vehicle”Practiced in India

Parts of Southeast AsiaStrict asceticism Difficult for ordinary people to

achieve nirvana

Mahayana Buddhism

“The Greater Vehicle”Practiced in ChinaMahayana Buddhism

Monks explained in Daoist vernacular= DHARMA = DAO & NIRVANA WUWEI

Appealing moralityMonasteries helped poor

Chan / Zen Buddhism

Adapted from Mahayana Chan in Korea Zen in Japan

Unlike Theravada, easier for ordinary people to achieve nirvana.

Very popular because monks used vernacular to spread teachings.

Zen & Chan

Locations

Animism

Christianity

Islam

Judaism

Hinduism

Buddhism

Religion Terms Analects Animism Brahman Bodhisattvas Covenant Diaspora Disciple Edict of Milan New Testament

Ten Commandments

Messiah

Dharma Karma Moksha

Ahimsa Nirvana Reincarnation Theocracy

All terms related to Islam

Torah Yahweh Yin & Yang Filial Piety

Enduring Questions

Be prepared to compare all components of major world religions and evaluate similarities and differences.

Include founder, scripture, tenets, purpose, auxiliary components, important concepts.