Classical CivilizationINDIA!

Topography of India

• Subcontinent of India is partially separated from the rest of the Asian continent by the Himalayas

• Passes through the mountains linked India to other civilizations in the Middle East

The most important agricultural regions are those along the Indus

and the Ganges Rivers

Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are the two biggest cities/settlements in classical India

The Formative Period• Indian civilization was

also shaped by its Vedic and Aryan Ages.

•Aryan conquerors gradually came to

terms with agriculture. These ages brought the caste system, Sanskrit

and many other religious beliefs to

India.

Vedic Age (1500-1000 BCE)

• Veda = knowledge (Sanskrit terminology)• Epic poems: Rig-Veda - consisted of 1028

scriptures and hymns dedicated to the Aryan gods. Written and put together by priests.

Epic Age (1000 – 600 BCE)

• Mahabharata, Ramayana, & Upanishads (epic poems/stories) all composed during the Epic Age.

• These epics detail a more agricultural society and a better-organized political structure than the Rig-Veda

Development of Religion

• Sanskrit scriptures formed the basis of most Vedic religions – later known as Hinduism

• Religion often used as a political or social tool for power or placement in society.

Political eras were less clear in India – outside Invasions

constantly disrupted the flow of rule.

Classical India alternated between widespread empires

and a network of smaller kingdoms.

The Maurya and Gupta dynasties constituted the most successful political regimes in India. They were run entirely

by Indians themselves as opposed to outside conquerors.

The Maurya DynastyThe first to unify much of the subcontinent. It’s first major ruler was Chandragupta. He ruled along the Ganges River

around 322 BCE. He borrowed from Persian political models,

and Alexander the Great.

Chandragupta and his successors maintained large armies and

developed large bureaucracies. Their style of government was highly autocratic (ONE ruler

has unlimited power).

Ashoka was even greater than his grandfather (Chandragupta). Through fierce fighting, he gained control of all but the

southern tip of India.

•Ashoka worked to improve trade and communication. Built an extensive road network, with

wells and rest stops for travelers. Commerce grew. After Ashoka, the empire started to fall apart.

The GuptasBegan around 320 CE. No individual rulers but a great impact - Power was spread through intermarriage and

negotiation. This was the greatest period of stability for India. They were overthrown by the

Huns in 535 CE

The Caste SystemProvided the stability in India that most countries received

from government.

The caste system developed during the Vedic and Epic Ages. It slowly

developed into almost 300 sub castes. It provided a network of rules and

promoted public order.

HinduismThe religion of the majority of people from India. Hinduism had no single founder and no

central holy figure.

Features of Hinduism:Upanishads – Epic poems with

religious tiesDharma – Hindu moral law

Buddhism – Founded on the teachings of Gautama, born

around 563 BCE (563-483 BCE) – Accepted many Hindu beliefs but

attacked the priests and caste system.

Buddha argued that holy life could be attained from ANY

level of society.

Characteristics of India’s Society

• Family life emphasized tight organization• Male dominance was greater in theory than reality

– Patriarchal society

• Families formed economic units• Economy rivaled China in sophistication and

technology but was still agricultural based• Very prosperous upper class• Emphasized trade and merchant activity (greater

than China and the Mediterranean World).