Zoroastrianism

Judaism

cTaoism and Confucianism

Hinduism and Buddhism

Greek theologyMeanwhile…

c. 2200 BCE

Yellow RiverShang and Xia dynasties

(ancient China)

c. 3000 BCE

Indus River ValleyHarappan/Vedic(ancient India)

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India”

Ancient India in relation to China

Ancient India in relation to Mesopotamia

Ancient India

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India”

Earliest major settlements and cities

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Bronze Age

c. 3300 bce – 2600 bce c. 2600 – 1900 bce c. 1900 – 1300 bce

Early Harappan Mature Harappan Late Harappan

3300 bce

1300 bce

Old Kingdom [Egypt] Middle Kingdom [Egypt] New Kingdom [Egypt]

c. 2700 – 2181 bce c. 2134 – 1690 bce c. 1549 – 1069 bce

Akkadian Empire

c. 2300 – 2100 bce

Babylonian Empire

c. 2000 - 1750

Assyrian Empirec. 930 – 600 bce

Persian/Achaemenidc. 549 – 330 bce

Rigveda composedc. 15oo bceHarappa and Mohenjo-Daro emerge

c. 26oo bce

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Bronze Age

Mohenjo-Daro

“Pashupati” seal

“Horned-God” Seal “Bison Seal”

Mohenjo-Daro

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Bronze Age

“Priest-King” figure

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Bronze Age

Mohenjo-Daro

“Dancing Girl”

Harappa

Female Figures

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Bronze Age

Mohenjo-Daro Urban Planning and Architecture

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Bronze Age

Mohenjo-Daro Urban Planning and Architecture

The Vedas

Would become the sacred texts of Hinduism

c. 1500 BCE- 500 BCE.

written in SANSKRIT.

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India”

c. 1900 – 1300 bce

Late Harappan

3300 bce 1500bce__

__________________500bce___

Rigveda composedc. 15oo bce

Vedic Period – 1500 – 500bce(the period during which the Vedas were composed)

Religious breakdown in India, 2011

Hinduism, at least 3500 years old by 2011, still dominates the religious perspectives of Indians in the 21st century

But thought dominant, Hinduism is certainly not the only religion practiced. The relationship between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists in India has greatly affected the history of the region.

The long history of religious difference as a source of conflict in India—here are some images of twentieth-century conflicts

Aftermath of “Direct Action Day” conflict between Hindus and Muslims, 1947

Anti-Sikh riots, 1984

Noted penned by Mahatma Gandhi, 1927

Although written in 1927, how do Gandhi’s sentiments that “God is truth,” that truth exists, and that it can be approached through “ahimsa” or non-violence, relate to the Axial Age?

Rituals and traditions of Hinduism still practiced today

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Iron Age

1300 bce

1bceKurukshetra War [Kauravas vs.Pandavas]c. 900 bce

Portrayal of Kurukshetra War, c. 1820 Map of Kuru

Maurya Empire beginsc. 321 bce

Maurya Empire endsc. 185 bce

Nanda Empire beginsc. 424 bce

Nanda Empire endsc. 321bce

The conflict between the Kauravas and Pandavas serves as a central myth in Hindu literature.

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Iron Age

Mahajanapadas were 16 politically distinct regions in ancient India. They were a middle ground between isolated city-states and an integrated empire. They are similar to what we call “kingdoms” in other regions of the world.

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India”

Social Distinctions and The Vedas

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Iron Age

1300 bce

1 bce

Kurukshetra War [Kauravas vs.Pandavas]c. 900 bce

Maurya Empire beginsc. 321 bce

Nanda Empire beginsc. 424 bce

Nanda Empire endsc. 321bce

Maurya Empire endsc. 185 bce

Nanda Empire right before it ends, 323 bce

Indian Iron Age, c. 1300 – 1 bce

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Iron Age

Mauryan Empire

•Founded in 320 by Chandragupta Maurya

•Capital city: Pataliputra

•Chandragupta overthrew the Nanda Empire

•Key Rulers:

-Chandragupta

-Bindusara

-Ashoka (ruled: c. 269 – 232)

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Iron Age

Spread of Maurya Empire under Chandragupta Maurya

The Nanda Empire, 323 bce The Maurya Empire, 321 bce

The Maurya Empire conquers parts of Persia, 305 bce The Maurya Empire spreads south, 300 bce

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Iron Age

Religion and Politics in the Mauryan Empire

Ashokan Edicts by locationAfter ruling ruthlessly for 9 years, Ashoka had a crisis in 260 bce. In that year, he waged a war against the Indian state of Kalinga, a war that was particularly brutal. Though he won the war, Ashoka was filled with guilt and horror after realizing the atrocities he and his armies committed. He then decided to convert to Buddhism, and then developed a campaign for promoting Buddhism within the empire. Part of this campaign was his issuing of the “Ashokan Edicts,” which he had carved in various stones and placed throughout the empire.

How might these edicts apply to Ashoka himself? Or, in other words, in what ways is Ashoka willingly limiting his political power as a result of his religious beliefs?

Worth noting that the conflict of the battle of Kalinga led to Ashoka’s conversion

Indus River Valley and Ancient “India” – Iron Age Religion and Politics in the Mauryan Empire

600 bce

185 bce

Mauryan Empire beginsc. 321 bce, under Chandragupta

Hinduism: The last “Vedic” text composed c. 500 bce

Nanda Empire endsc. 321bce

Mauryan Empire ends 185 bce

Buddhism: Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha)born sometime between 563 bce and 483 bce

Ashoka becomes emperor, c. 269

Battle of Kalinga, c. 260

Buddhism: Ashoka, ashamed of the violence causedby waging the war, converts to Buddhism.Buddhism adopted as state religionKey:

In blue = religious eventIn black = political eventIn red = both political and religious

Ashoka issues his Buddhist “Edicts”

Ashoka dies, 232 bce