Classical Classical IndiaIndia
1500 BCE – 300 CE1500 BCE – 300 CE
South Asia: Indian SubcontinentSouth Asia: Indian Subcontinent
Large Large landmass-landmass-juts out from juts out from a continenta continent
1 ½ million 1 ½ million square milessquare miles
Bhutan, Bhutan, India, India, Pakistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Nepal, Sri LankaLanka
Less than 1/3 Less than 1/3 is arable is arable (fertile)(fertile)
What are the three major zones of Indian Subcontinent?What are the three major zones of Indian Subcontinent?
Northern plainNorthern plain Deccan Deccan
PlateauPlateau Coastal plainsCoastal plains
So What?So What?
This geographical diversity has made This geographical diversity has made it very difficult for any political power it very difficult for any political power to unify all of India for any great to unify all of India for any great length of time length of time
The MonsoonThe Monsoon
So What?So What?
Region was dependent on the Region was dependent on the Monsoon rains for adequate moisture Monsoon rains for adequate moisture and on the wind for trade and traveland on the wind for trade and travel
Cultural diffusion and commercial Cultural diffusion and commercial activity map to monsoon patternsactivity map to monsoon patterns
The Vedic Age: Arya MigrationsThe Vedic Age: Arya Migrations
Indo-European Indo-European warriorswarriors
King- Patriarchal King- Patriarchal kinship groupskinship groups
Herded cattleHerded cattle VedasVedas Brought iron tools/ Brought iron tools/
weaponsweapons Some moved to Some moved to
Ganges River ValleyGanges River Valley Settled, increased crop Settled, increased crop
production, population production, population increasedincreased
Displaced darker-Displaced darker-skinned Dravidian- skinned Dravidian- Dasas- to south IndiaDasas- to south India
What was the Vedic Age?What was the Vedic Age?1500 - 500 BCE1500 - 500 BCE
Foundational Foundational religious textreligious text
Prayers, hymns, Prayers, hymns, other religious other religious teachingsteachings
Transmitted orally Transmitted orally by priestsby priests
Reveals violent Reveals violent
Arya Society: VarnaArya Society: Varna First warriors, then First warriors, then
priests had most priests had most prestige, power prestige, power
Aryas dominated Aryas dominated Dasas ( Dravidians)Dasas ( Dravidians)
Origins of Varna Origins of Varna system-means system-means “color” but “color” but equivalent to “class”equivalent to “class”
Rationalized by belief Rationalized by belief in reincarnationin reincarnation
Arya Society: Varna/JatiArya Society: Varna/Jati
Divided by Divided by occupationoccupation
Brahmins = priestsBrahmins = priests Kshatriyas = Kshatriyas =
WarriorsWarriors Vaisyas = herders, Vaisyas = herders,
farmers, artisans, farmers, artisans, merchantsmerchants
Sudras = farm-Sudras = farm-workers, servants, workers, servants, laborerslaborers
Caste System: Varna/ JatiCaste System: Varna/ Jati
Class divisions were Class divisions were social & economic; social & economic; not ethnicnot ethnic
Developed into Developed into complex system; complex system; multiple sub castes multiple sub castes
Born into caste Born into caste Could not changeCould not change
Women & Vedic AgeWomen & Vedic Age
Not much is knownNot much is known could study lore & could study lore &
participate in ritualsparticipate in rituals could own landcould own land married middle or late married middle or late
teens teens
Arya Religion: Arya Religion: BrahmanismBrahmanism
Polytheistic? Polytheistic? Monotheistic?Monotheistic?
Pantheistic?Pantheistic? Gods embodied natural Gods embodied natural
forcesforces Sacrifice, rituals/prayersSacrifice, rituals/prayers Evolved into single power Evolved into single power
of of brahmanbrahman Mystics devoted their Mystics devoted their
lives to spiritual truth-lives to spiritual truth-meditation, yoga, meditation, yoga, spiritual & bodily spiritual & bodily disciplinediscipline
Indra: God of war & thunder (atmospheric)
Varuna: God of rain (celestrial)
Agni: God of Fire (terrestrial)
How Does One Achieve How Does One Achieve MokshaMoksha??
Reincarnation Reincarnation (samsara)(samsara)
DharmaDharma KarmaKarma
How did Hinduism Change & Develop?How did Hinduism Change & Develop?
Brahman sometimes Brahman sometimes seen as having 3 seen as having 3 personalities:personalities:
Brahma-creatorBrahma-creator Vishnu-protectorVishnu-protector Shiva-destroyerShiva-destroyer
Hinduism & SocietyHinduism & Society
Ideas of Ideas of reincarnation & reincarnation & karma karma strengthened the strengthened the caste systemcaste system
Only men at top Only men at top could achieve could achieve mokshamoksha
Dominated every Dominated every aspect of lifeaspect of life
Provided Provided stability/orderstability/order
Challenges to the Old Order: Jainism & Challenges to the Old Order: Jainism & BuddhismBuddhism
JainismJainism BuddhismBuddhism Both were reactions to the rigidity and Both were reactions to the rigidity and
monopoly of the Brahminsmonopoly of the Brahmins
Challenges to Old Order: BuddhismChallenges to Old Order: Buddhism Siddhartha Siddhartha
GautamaGautama Buddha means Buddha means
“Enlightened “Enlightened One”One”
Four Noble Four Noble TruthsTruths
Eight Fold PathEight Fold Path
Buddhism: What are the Four Noble Buddhism: What are the Four Noble Truths?Truths?
Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths All life is sufferingAll life is suffering Suffering is caused by Suffering is caused by
desiredesire Suffering can endSuffering can end Solution is to follow the Solution is to follow the
Eight Fold PathEight Fold Path
Buddhism: What is the Eight Fold Buddhism: What is the Eight Fold Path?Path?
BuddhismBuddhism
All are equalAll are equal Moderation alleviate sufferingModeration alleviate suffering Meditation nurtures wisdomMeditation nurtures wisdom Being content is goodBeing content is good Denies existence of a soulDenies existence of a soul Ultimate goal is Nirvana-salvationUltimate goal is Nirvana-salvation Everyone can reach enlightenmentEveryone can reach enlightenment Bodhisattvas-beings who have achieved Bodhisattvas-beings who have achieved
enlightenment but choose to return to the enlightenment but choose to return to the world to help othersworld to help others
Wheel of LawWheel of Law
Buddha turned the Buddha turned the “Wheel of Dharma”“Wheel of Dharma”
metaphor for spiritual metaphor for spiritual change change
The The eight spokeseight spokes symbolize Noble symbolize Noble Eightfold Path set out Eightfold Path set out by Buddha by Buddha
represents endless represents endless cycle of samsaracycle of samsara--rebirthrebirth
Buddhism & Hinduism Buddhism & Hinduism SimilaritySimilarity
Much of Buddhist teaching reflected Hindu Much of Buddhist teaching reflected Hindu traditiontradition
Ordinary life is illusionOrdinary life is illusion Karma, rebirth, overcoming the demands Karma, rebirth, overcoming the demands
of ego, meditation, release from cycle of of ego, meditation, release from cycle of rebirthrebirth
Non-ViolenceNon-Violence More simplified accessible than HinduismMore simplified accessible than Hinduism Reinforced patriarchal views of womenReinforced patriarchal views of women
Buddhism & HinduismBuddhism & HinduismDifferenceDifference
Rejected religious authorityRejected religious authority Rejected rituals sacrifices as irrelevant Rejected rituals sacrifices as irrelevant Individuals take responsibility for spiritual developmentIndividuals take responsibility for spiritual development Egalitarian-rejected caste systemEgalitarian-rejected caste system Buddhism more accessibleBuddhism more accessible Buddhist nuns-more independenceBuddhist nuns-more independence
Areas of InfluenceAreas of Influence
Challenges to Old Order: JainismChallenges to Old Order: Jainism
Founded by Mahavira Founded by Mahavira (540-468 BCE)(540-468 BCE)
non-violence (ahisma)non-violence (ahisma) Many went naked, Many went naked,
starved to deathstarved to death Less extreme members Less extreme members
pursued pursued commerce/bankingcommerce/banking
What happened after Buddha’s Death?What happened after Buddha’s Death?
Monasteries, Monasteries, nunneriesnunneries
Complex, hierarchicalComplex, hierarchical Worship of BuddhaWorship of Buddha bodhisattvasbodhisattvas Buddha art Buddha art Mahayana- new Mahayana- new
beliefsbeliefs Theravada-original Theravada-original
teachingsteachings
Evolution of HinduismEvolution of Hinduism
Pressure led to Pressure led to reformreform
Sacrifice less Sacrifice less important - important - personal devotion personal devotion increasedincreased
Vishnu & Shiva, Vishnu & Shiva, Devi became Devi became prominentprominent
Preserved Brahmin Preserved Brahmin status and status and privilegeprivilege
How did Hinduism emerge as the dominant How did Hinduism emerge as the dominant religion of India?religion of India?
centered on temples/shrinescentered on temples/shrines PilgrimagePilgrimage duties varied according to duties varied according to
gender, social status, agegender, social status, age Transformation so successful-Transformation so successful-
Hinduism became dominantHinduism became dominant Hinduism appealed to Hinduism appealed to
common people’s need for common people’s need for personal deitiespersonal deities
Hinduism displaced BuddhismHinduism displaced Buddhism– Theravada too austereTheravada too austere– Mahayana easily absorbedMahayana easily absorbed
How did Mauryan Empire Rise to Power?How did Mauryan Empire Rise to Power?
Indus Civs declined around Indus Civs declined around 1900 BCE1900 BCE
By 600 BCE, almost 1000 By 600 BCE, almost 1000 years after Aryan years after Aryan migrations, many small migrations, many small kingdoms scattered kingdoms scattered throughout India throughout India
In 326, BCE, Alexander the In 326, BCE, Alexander the Great conquered region -Great conquered region -left Macedonian general-left Macedonian general-Seluecus I-in controlSeluecus I-in control
Chandragupta Maurya Chandragupta Maurya overthrew Seluecus-overthrew Seluecus-conquered all of north conquered all of north IndiaIndia
How did Chandragupta govern the Empire?How did Chandragupta govern the Empire?
Relied on Katilya- his Relied on Katilya- his Brahmin advisorBrahmin advisor
ArthashastraArthashastra Tough policiesTough policies Bureaucratic government Bureaucratic government 4 provinces ruled by 4 provinces ruled by
prince-divided into districtsprince-divided into districts Spying Spying AssassinationAssassination
Mauryan Capital: PataliputraMauryan Capital: Pataliputra
Walled, moated cityWalled, moated city Large armyLarge army 25% tax on agricultural 25% tax on agricultural
productsproducts State monopolies on State monopolies on
mines, shipbuilding, mines, shipbuilding, armamentsarmaments
Very wealthyVery wealthy Gold covered pillarsGold covered pillars FountainsFountains ThronesThrones ParksParks MarketsMarkets
Who was Ashoka?Who was Ashoka?
Chandragupta Maurya’s Chandragupta Maurya’s grandsongrandson
Prince - then kingPrince - then king Conquered Kalinga in Conquered Kalinga in
brutal warbrutal war Horrified!Horrified! Rejected violence - Rejected violence -
converted to Buddhismconverted to Buddhism Promoted Buddhist Promoted Buddhist
principlesprinciples
What were Ashoka’s Edicts?What were Ashoka’s Edicts?
Create united empireCreate united empire Propaganda-spread Propaganda-spread
common valuescommon values Cave walls, rocks, Cave walls, rocks,
tower pillars all tower pillars all Act morally-take Act morally-take
responsibility for responsibility for actionsactions
FairnessFairness Humane treatmentHumane treatment NonviolenceNonviolence Religious tolerationReligious toleration
What Else Did Ashoka What Else Did Ashoka Do?Do?
Extensive roadsExtensive roads Wells & rest housesWells & rest houses Sent out missionaries to Sent out missionaries to
spread Buddhismspread Buddhism
Mauryan Empire DeclineMauryan Empire Decline
Power vacuum after Power vacuum after Ashoka’s deathAshoka’s death
Many kingdoms with Many kingdoms with overlapping boundariesoverlapping boundaries
MIGRATION, CULTURAL MIGRATION, CULTURAL DIFFUSION, TRADEDIFFUSION, TRADE
New peoples, new New peoples, new languages, new ideaslanguages, new ideas
Syncretism-blending of Syncretism-blending of cultures into new formcultures into new form
What New Kingdoms Emerged?What New Kingdoms Emerged?
Satavahana dynasty in Satavahana dynasty in Deccan Deccan
Central India Central India experienced economic experienced economic improvements, more improvements, more religious authority & religious authority & urbanizationurbanization
Southern India-three Southern India-three Tamil kingdoms (Cholas, Tamil kingdoms (Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras) Pandyas, Cheras)
period of great artistic period of great artistic achievementachievement
How did India survive the absence of a How did India survive the absence of a strong central government?strong central government?
Artisans and Merchants played a dominant roleArtisans and Merchants played a dominant role Trade flourishedTrade flourished Exports = Pearls, jewels, pepper, spices, silks, Exports = Pearls, jewels, pepper, spices, silks,
ivory, ebonyivory, ebony Imports=metals, coral Imports=metals, coral More Roman coins found in India than Indian More Roman coins found in India than Indian
coins in Rome; what can be inferred?coins in Rome; what can be inferred? New cities, coastal ports, & banksNew cities, coastal ports, & banks
What cultural changes emerged?What cultural changes emerged?
Shift from reverence for Buddha to worship like a Shift from reverence for Buddha to worship like a godgod
Hinduism God worship became more personal-Hinduism God worship became more personal-VishnuVishnu
Art & Architecture blossomedArt & Architecture blossomed LiteratureLiterature Law of Manu helped keep orderLaw of Manu helped keep order Ramayana & MahabharataRamayana & Mahabharata Bhagavad-GitaBhagavad-Gita Ayurvedic MedicineAyurvedic Medicine Analysis of SanskritAnalysis of Sanskrit
Gupta EmpireGupta Empire
Chandra Gupta reunited Chandra Gupta reunited India after 500 yearsIndia after 500 years
Expansion & Expansion & consolidation of empireconsolidation of empire
Controlled iron deposits, Controlled iron deposits, established state established state monopolies, 25% monopolies, 25% agricultural taxagricultural tax
Golden AgeGolden Age ““Theater State”Theater State”
Golden Age of Gupta Empire: Golden Age of Gupta Empire: Theater StateTheater State
TradeTrade ArtsArts ScienceScience AstronomyAstronomy
PEACE and PROSPERITYPEACE and PROSPERITYMathematicsMathematics
Women During GuptaWomen During Gupta Women lost Women lost
right to inherit, right to inherit, own property, own property, participate in participate in key rituals key rituals
Treated like Treated like lowest varna lowest varna (Shudra)(Shudra)
Married young-Married young- Sati-widows on Sati-widows on
funeral pyrefuneral pyre some joined some joined
religious religious community community
Gupta Religion: Gupta Religion:
dominated by Hinduism-dominated by Hinduism-Brahmins regained Brahmins regained power, influence, wealthpower, influence, wealth
Religious tolerationReligious toleration Development of classic Development of classic
form of Hindu temples form of Hindu temples w/ exterior courtyard, w/ exterior courtyard, inner shrine, wall inner shrine, wall decorationdecoration
Gupta CollapseGupta Collapse In 550 c.e., the Gupta empire collapsed under the financial In 550 c.e., the Gupta empire collapsed under the financial
burden of defense against the “White Huns”burden of defense against the “White Huns” Harsha (r. 606–647 c.e), whose kingdom is described by the Harsha (r. 606–647 c.e), whose kingdom is described by the
Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, briefly reunited northern India. Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, briefly reunited northern India. After Harsha, northern India again fell into political After Harsha, northern India again fell into political fragmentation.fragmentation.
As India decentralized, it developed a feudal economic and As India decentralized, it developed a feudal economic and social structure. social structure.
Southeast Asia, 50–1025 c.e. Southeast Asia, 50–1025 c.e.
Geography/ ResourcesGeography/ Resources Southeast Asia has three geographical Southeast Asia has three geographical
zones: (1) the Indochina mainland, (2) the zones: (1) the Indochina mainland, (2) the Malay Peninsula, and (3) the islands. The Malay Peninsula, and (3) the islands. The area stands between China and India, and area stands between China and India, and has been influenced by both civilizations.has been influenced by both civilizations.
Natural resources include fertile Natural resources include fertile agricultural lands, dependable monsoon agricultural lands, dependable monsoon rains, and several growing rains, and several growing
Early Civilization Early Civilization Early inhabitants practiced swidden (slash and burn) agriculture-Early inhabitants practiced swidden (slash and burn) agriculture-
domesticated rice, soybeans, sugar cane, chickens, pigsdomesticated rice, soybeans, sugar cane, chickens, pigs Received waves of migrations of Malay peoples from southern Received waves of migrations of Malay peoples from southern
ChinaChina Malay migrations continued into Pacific Islands & into Indian Malay migrations continued into Pacific Islands & into Indian
Ocean. Ocean. Early Malay groups in lived in small villages, manufactured bronze Early Malay groups in lived in small villages, manufactured bronze
tools, and were organized in small political units.tools, and were organized in small political units. The first large states in Southeast Asia emerged in the early The first large states in Southeast Asia emerged in the early
centuries c.e. in response to the position of Southeast Asia as a centuries c.e. in response to the position of Southeast Asia as a crossroads for trade and travel between India and China. Trade crossroads for trade and travel between India and China. Trade brought business; it also brought Hindu/Buddhist culture.brought business; it also brought Hindu/Buddhist culture.
Southeast Asian kingdoms incorporated what they found useful Southeast Asian kingdoms incorporated what they found useful from Indian models of bureaucracy and cultural beliefs.from Indian models of bureaucracy and cultural beliefs.
The first major state to appear in Southeast Asia was Funan (first The first major state to appear in Southeast Asia was Funan (first through sixth centuries b.c.e.) in the Mekong delta area. Funan through sixth centuries b.c.e.) in the Mekong delta area. Funan thrived due to its domination of the Isthmus of Kra. Funan’s thrived due to its domination of the Isthmus of Kra. Funan’s decline in the sixth century may be related to the opening of new decline in the sixth century may be related to the opening of new trade routes that bypassed Funan.trade routes that bypassed Funan.
The Srivijayan Kingdom The Srivijayan Kingdom Srivijaya was located on Sumatra and dominated the new southern trade Srivijaya was located on Sumatra and dominated the new southern trade
route through the Strait of Malacca as well as other shipping routes route through the Strait of Malacca as well as other shipping routes through the area of modern Malaysia and Indonesia.through the area of modern Malaysia and Indonesia.
The Srivijayan political system knit together four different ecological zones The Srivijayan political system knit together four different ecological zones and their local rulers under the authority of the Srivijayan king. and their local rulers under the authority of the Srivijayan king.
These four zones were: (1) the core area along the Musi River, (2) the These four zones were: (1) the core area along the Musi River, (2) the upland Sumatran interior, (3) river ports, and (4) the fertile rice lands of upland Sumatran interior, (3) river ports, and (4) the fertile rice lands of central Javacentral Java
The Srivijayan kings maintained their control over this complex system The Srivijayan kings maintained their control over this complex system through a combination of military power, diplomacy, control of trade, and through a combination of military power, diplomacy, control of trade, and the techniques of the theater-state. the techniques of the theater-state.
Kings used the splendor of their capital to attract resources and labor. The Kings used the splendor of their capital to attract resources and labor. The temporal power of the kings was enhanced by popular belief in their temporal power of the kings was enhanced by popular belief in their magical powers. Kings were associated with forces of fertility. They also magical powers. Kings were associated with forces of fertility. They also patronized Buddhist monasteries and schools.patronized Buddhist monasteries and schools.
Indian culture exercised a powerful influence on Srivijayan concepts of Indian culture exercised a powerful influence on Srivijayan concepts of kingship and government, while the Hindu and Buddhist religions became kingship and government, while the Hindu and Buddhist religions became the dominant faiths of the region. the dominant faiths of the region.
Changes in trade routes led to the decline of Srivijaya in the eleventh Changes in trade routes led to the decline of Srivijaya in the eleventh century. The capital was destroyed in 1025 by the Chola kingdom.century. The capital was destroyed in 1025 by the Chola kingdom.
Conclusion:Conclusion:A.A. Comparison of SourcesComparison of Sources
The ancient history of India is derived The ancient history of India is derived more from religious artifacts & religious more from religious artifacts & religious writings than in other areas of the ancient writings than in other areas of the ancient worldworld
In contrast to written records left by In contrast to written records left by Mesopotamians, Greeks, Romans, & the Mesopotamians, Greeks, Romans, & the Chinese, Indians’ belief in cyclical creation Chinese, Indians’ belief in cyclical creation & re-creation of the world left them with & re-creation of the world left them with little use for keeping a written record of a little use for keeping a written record of a brief moment in timebrief moment in time
Diversity & Unity Within India Diversity & Unity Within India Political and social division has been the norm throughout Political and social division has been the norm throughout
most of India’s history, in part from the topographical and most of India’s history, in part from the topographical and environmental diversity of the subcontinentenvironmental diversity of the subcontinent
The ethnic and linguistic diversity of India was occasionally The ethnic and linguistic diversity of India was occasionally unified under strong central governments such as the unified under strong central governments such as the Mauryan and Gupta kings, who came to dominance by Mauryan and Gupta kings, who came to dominance by gaining control of metal resources and trade routes. They gaining control of metal resources and trade routes. They used elaborate class and caste structures to organize their used elaborate class and caste structures to organize their diverse populationsdiverse populations
Distinctive features of Indian civilization arose from the Distinctive features of Indian civilization arose from the caste system and religious beliefs that originated in the caste system and religious beliefs that originated in the northern river valleys from descendants of Indo-European northern river valleys from descendants of Indo-European immigrants. Hinduism drew elements of southern Dravidian immigrants. Hinduism drew elements of southern Dravidian cultures and Buddhism, and is less fixed than the practices cultures and Buddhism, and is less fixed than the practices of Judaism, Christianity, and Islamof Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
