INDIA’S FIRST EMPIRES – C. 1000B.C. – A.D. 500 WORLD HISTORY, CHAPTER 5

IMPORTANT VOCABULARY Varnas Caste System Hinduism Reincarnation karma Dharma Buddhism Nirvana Silk Road Vedas pilgrim

CHAPTER 5, LESSON 1: ORIGINS OF HINDU INDIA GOAL:STUDENTS WILL KNOW THAT ANCIENT INDIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGIONS WERE INFLUENCED STRONGLY BY ARYAN IDEAS

ORIGINS OF HINDU INDIA Between 1500 B.C. and 400 B.C., the spread of the Aryans and their interactions with the indigenous Dravidians resulted in a new Indian culture. Two prominent features of this culture were: unique social class system the Hindu religion

SOCIAL CLASS IN ANCIENT INDIA The four Varnas Varnas was the name given by Aryans in Ancient India to a group of people in what was believed to be an ideal social structure of four groups: 1. Brahmins - priests 2. Kshatriyas – warrior-administrators 3. Vaisya – common folk (artisans, farmers, herdsman, etc.) 4. Sudras – duty is to serve the other classes Caste System A set of rigid categories in ancient India that determined a person’s occupation and economic potential, as well as his or her position in society Based partly on skin color

INDIA’S CASTE SYSTEM Varnas Brahmins KshatriyasVaisyas Sudras Meaning of Title Possessor of Brahma (a Hindu god Holders of authority Those settled on soil (meaning of this word is uncertain Associated Body Parts Mouth: teach, advise Arms: defend, protect Legs: supply needs Feet: support society Occupations Priests, learned professions Warriors, landowners, rulers Farmers, merchants Artisans, laborers Well- Known Member Rabrindranath Tagor ( ), Hindu philosopher Siddhartha Guatama (c. sixth century B.C.), founder of Buddhism Mahatma Ghandi ( ), political leader Nammazhvar (c. eighth century A.D.), a poet

CENTRAL IDEAS OF HINDUISM Hinduism is a major religious system, which had it origins in the religious beliefs of the Aryans who settled India after 1500 B.C. Hinduism, along with Buddhism, included fundamental ideas that were crucial in shaping the history of India and other civilizations

PRINCIPLES OF HINDUISM Reincarnation The idea that the soul/self is reborn after death Depending on the dedication and effort of the self, after some number of rebirths it will achieve its final goal of union with Brahman Karma Action and consequence A person’s intentional acts have consequences that will determine the person’s future condition in this life and the next life after reincarnation Dharma “order, truth, duty, law” Requires all people to do their duty based on their status in society Probably the most important concept of Hindu teachings Defines duty and right behavior

KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS OF HINDU INDIA Aryan social groups varnas Later system of social structure caste A method of oneness with Brahman yoga Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva Chief gods Brahma Shiva Vishnu

CHAPTER 5, LESSON 2: BUDDHISM GOAL:STUDENTS WILL KNOW THAT BUDDHISM, WHICH SHARES SOME BELIEFS WITH HINDUISM, CAME TO RIVAL IT AS A RELIGION IN ANCIENT INDIA

BUDDHISM ORIGINS A religious doctrine introduced in northern India Began in the fifth or sixth century B.C. that appeared in northern India Buddhism was the product of one man, Siddhartha Guatama (a.k.a. Buddha or “Enlightened One”), whose simple message of achieving wisdom created a new spiritual philosophy in India. Buddhism became a rival to Hinduism in India and also spread to other regions of Asia

BUDDHISM TEACHINGS The Buddha’s followers adhere to his teachings, the dharma meaning “divine law” The Dharma’s aim is to end suffering in the world This goal is called Nirvana which is the end of the self and a reunion with the Great World Soul Nirvana can be achieved only by understanding the Four Noble Truths and practicing the Eightfold Path

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS Ordinary life is full of suffering Suffering is caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves The way to end suffering is to end desire for selfish goals and to see others as extensions of ourselves The way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path

THE EIGHTFOLD PATH 1. Right View: Knowing the Four Noble Truths 2. Right Intention Resolving to reach Enlightenment 3. Right Speech Speaking truthfully and with kindness 4. Right Action Leading a normal life 5. Right Livelihood Working in a responsible and harmless way 6. Right Effort Ceaseless, unwavering striving to Enlightenment 7. Right Mindfulness Controlling our thought 8. Right Concentration Meditating to see the world how it is

BUDDHA’S KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS Rejected Life of ease, extreme self-denial, the caste system, gods Accepted and/or Taught Suffering as a fact of life, the philosophical world as illusion, reincarnation, meditation, karma, the Noble Truths, the Middle Path (Eightfold Path)

CHAPTER 5, LESSON 3: THE MAURYANS AND THE GUPTAS GOAL:STUDENTS WILL KNOW THAT NEW INDIAN EMPIRES GREW RICH THROUGH TRADE AND LEFT A LASTING LEGACY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

THE MAURYANS AND THE GUPTAS From around 1500 B.C. to 400 B.C. numerous small kingdoms challenged one another, preventing peace in India. In order to confront invaders they united creating three new Indian empires. The Mauryan Empire The Kushan Empire The Empire of the Gupta

MAURYAN EMPIRE Founded by Candragupta Maurya Ruled from 324 B.C. to 301 B.C. Paranoid about assassination (never slept in the same place twice in a row) Well organized and highly centralized Divided his empire into provinces, ruled by governors he appointed Large army, a vast network of spies, and a secret police Asoka succeeded his grandfather’s and is considered the greatest ruler in the history of India. Converted to Buddhism which guided his rule Set up hospitals for the welfare of the people and animals Supported Buddhist missionaries who travelled throughout India and into China

THE KUSHAN EMPIRE Prospered from trade Most trade was between the Roman Empire and China Shipped along the routes known as the Silk Road, so called because silk was China’s most valuable product Kushan culture was shaped by surrounding societies such as China, Persia and the Roman Empire but held on to a distinct Indian culture. Adapted the Greek alphabet for their language Practiced both Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as Zoroastrianism from Persia Developed a calendar based on the sun and the moon

THE EMPIRE OF THE GUPTAS Became one of the most influential political force in northern India Under a series of efficient monarchs, especially Candra Gupta II, created a golden age of Indian culture Traded with China, Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean and also encouraged domestic trade in cloth, salt and iron Gupta rulers were very wealthy Awoke to music, drank from ruby cups with lutes playing while dining with their guests Much of their wealth came from religious trade from pilgrims (people who travel to religious places)

Mauryan Empire Centralized empire Guided by Buddhist ideals Major trade crossroads Kushan Empire Covered northern India Prospered from trade Guptas Golden age of Indian culture Active in trade Prosperous empire

INDIAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS Literature Vedas: the earliest known Indian literature, which contain religious chants and stories Mahabhrata and Ramayana: two epic stories that were compiled over many centuries Architecture Carved stone pillars Stupas Rock-cut caves Science, Math, and Technology Algebra Astronomy Metalworking