classical india
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Classical India. Chapter 3 Pg. 56-74. 1 of 2. Geography & Formative Period. Geography Well positioned for trade Diverse landscape results in regionalism Monsoon climate Heavy summer rains during June, July, August Dry season with almost no rain from Sept to May - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Classical India
Chapter 3Pg. 56-74
Geography & Formative Period
Geography Well positioned for trade Diverse landscape results in regionalism Monsoon climate
Heavy summer rains during June, July, August Dry season with almost no rain from Sept to
May Extreme impacts on agriculture
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Geography & Formative Period
Formative Periods Vedic Age (1500-1000 BCE) Epic Age (1000-600 BCE) Resulted in creation of early forms of key
cultural traits: caste system polytheistic religion
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Patterns in Classical India 1500-600BCE: Vedic & Epic Ages 600-322BCE: Regional states dominate plains 322-232BCE: Mauryan Empire
Autocratic rule, Buddhist 232BCE-320CE: Regionalism reemerges
(Kushans) 320-535CE: Gupta Empire
Decentralized rule, Hindu
Political Institutions Most persistent political feature of India
is regionalism However, some centralization did occur
Example: Gupta promotion of Sanskrit & law code
Caste system provided local control & regulation often fulfilled by gov
QuestionEven though the Maurya and Gupta empires
were highly influential, Indian history largely is characterized by small regional kingdoms.
Why do you think large empires did not "take hold" in India as they did in other parts of the world?
What is unusual or significant about Indian culture in this respect?
Religion & Culture Hinduism evolved overtime yielding
remarkable complexity & diversity Forms of Worship:
Ritualistic, ceremonial worship (brahmins) Mystical search for divine essence (gurus)
Belief structure:
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Vishnu Shivamillions of local
deitiesworld of humans:
dharmafulfillment of life
roles karma
death
reincarnation
Brahma
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Religion & Culture Buddhism founded by Siddartha
Gautama in 536 BCE in response to Hinduism Questioned fairness of misery believing the
material world caused human suffering Adopted Hindu ideas of mysticism &
reincarnation; Rejected caste, rituals, priests
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Religion & Culture Art & Science flourished in Indian
culture Literature:
Science:
Math:
Art:
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Economy & Society Caste system & agriculture provided basic
framework of hierarchy Patriarchal but with greater emotional ties to
women & children Economy firmly subsistence agriculture
but with significant trade & manufacturing Key good = cotton textiles Merchants valued
Indian Influence Indian Ocean was the key linkage
among cultures Trade carried Indian creativity, goods,
religions from Africa & Middle East to SE Asia Buddhism, Hinduism, Art to SE Asia Buddhism, Art to China
India & China Differences:
Similarities:
Global Connections Indian civilization was pivotal to
cultural exchange largely through Indian Ocean & Silk Road
Question Explain how …
Hinduism changed and stayed the same between 1500 BCE and 535 CE
Buddhism changed and stayed the same between 536 BCE and 535 CE