Chapter 3 Classical India AP World History University High School

Geography of India Most of India separated from rest of Asia; subcontinent. Three regions: Himalayas in N/NE (linked India to Middle East; barrier to China) Northern Plains with Indus and Ganges Rivers (agriculture) Southern plateau (relied on monsoons)

Aryans and the Vedic Age Aryan (Indo-European) hunter-gatherer migrants came from central Asia to India. Warlike; lighter skin; physically and culturally different Vedic Age (1500-1000 BCE): Indian agriculture flourished in Indus and Ganges Rivers. Epic Age (1000 BCE – 600 BCE): Ramayana, Mahabharata and Upanishads created 600 BCE: India divided into 16 states Sanskrit: literary language of Vedic culture Religious texts: Vedas (hymns, sayings, prayers) Indian Caste System: Indian social classes that divided gender as well

Diffusion of Early Indo-European Dialects

Indian Caste System Aryans developed caste systems because they saw themselves as superior, and wanted to distinguish themselves from non-Aryans. Castes were referred to as “colors” or varna Explained by a creation myth Sacrifice of Purusha and division of body led to castes 1) Mouth: Brahmins 2) Arms: Kshatriya 3) Legs: Vaisya 4) Feet: Sudra

Indian Caste System Harijan – Untouchables, “outside” of the caste system, Castes were hereditary; only marry within castes, and could not move out of your caste in your lifetime. Hindu process of reincarnation moves the physical body up or down Castes became much more complex over time; each caste subdivided into occupation, duties, families

Mauryan Empire (322 BCE-185 BCE) 327 BCE: Alexander the Great of Macedonia expanded to the Indus River Valley, where he set up a state named Bactria. Threatened Indian communities (Aryans + non- Aryans) 322 BCE: Mauryan Empire founded by a soldier named Chandragupta Maurya to protect Indian territory. Unified much of India by developed a large bureaucracy and a large army. Promoted trade and communication.

Mauryan Empire (322 BCE-185 BCE) Mauryan rulers were the first to unify most of the Indian subcontinent. Varying terrain had made transportation and communication difficult; sub-cultures developed Mauryan rule used political centralization

Ashoka's Rule Ashoka was the most prominent Mauryan ruler (269-232 BCE) Extended Mauryan territory, gaining control of all but southern tip of India. Known for brutality, but later converted to Buddhism and become peaceful. Spread Buddhism throughout the subcontinent; continued to tolerate Hinduism. Used Buddhism as basis for laws

Ashoka's Rule Public works projects (hospitals; parks; wells) Improved trade routes that connected India to Silk Roads (kingdom was already located along Ganges River trade route; constructed extensive road system Indian cultural influence spread widely because of trade and Buddhism, especially in Southeast Asia.

What were some of the Mauryan Empire’s major accomplishments? Quick Review Question What were some of the Mauryan Empire’s major accomplishments?

Kushans (30 CE – 375 CE) After Ashoka’s death, Mauryan empire began to fall apart Regional kingdoms surfaced. Kushans invaded central India from NW

Kushans (30 CE – 375 CE) Greatest Kushan king, Kanishka, converted to Buddhism but this hurt Buddhism’s popularity in India due to its association with foreign rule.

Guptas (320 CE – 550 CE) Guptas established a large empire in 320 CE; an era of political stability. King Chandra Gupta II (375-414 CE): strongest leader Took name of Mauryan founder Guptas are Hindus; caste system and influence of Brahmins spread. Buddhism was still tolerated; Buddhist monks and nuns spread religion beyond India through monasteries and trade routes.

Guptas (320 CE – 550 CE) “Theatre state”: awe subjects into remaining loyal to the leader Guptan palace was described as being “too beautiful to have been built by human hands” Gupta political system was decentralized: local rulers could maintain authority in their respective territories if they ultimately submitted to Guptas. Did not use a bureaucracy; allowed local rulers power

Gupta Golden Age Religion Religious tolerance: Stupas in honor of Buddha; courtyards, paintings, sculptures Lavish Hindu wall paintings and carving in caves (Ajanta) Literature Growth of Sanskrit as the language of the educated Huge output of epic poems

Gupta Golden Age Guptas supported trade with low taxes Strengthening of trade, both internal and external (especially between E and SE Asia) Textiles (calico, cotton, wool, linen)

Gupta Golden Age, cont. Education University at Nalanda: lecture halls, library, observatory Math Discovery of zero and development of “Arabic” numerals Decimal system; negative numbers; square roots

Gupta Golden Age, cont. Science Indian scientists borrowed from Greek learning via contact with Alexander the Great’s Bactria. They used sterilization during surgery and in treatment of wounds. Knowledge of plastic surgery Bone-setting Advances in astronomy (eclipses, identification of planets) Circumference of the earth; theory of gravity Herbal medicines Caesarian deliveries

Gupta Decline By 500, Gupta India were invaded by the White Huns. Other nomads drove further into central India. Simultaneously, the influence of Gupta rulers was in decline as local princes became more powerful. Similar to what occurred within Zhou China 600 CE, India fragmented into regional states ruled by princes (Rajput).

Gupta Decline Although political decline occurred as a result of invasions, traditional Indian culture continued. Buddhism became less popular, while Hinduism added to its followers. Fragmentation along regional lines leads to weakness, which will lead to conquest by Muslims

What were some of the Gupta Empire’s major accomplishments? Quick Review Question What were some of the Gupta Empire’s major accomplishments?

Hinduism & Buddhism Hinduism (religion of majority) Developed gradually over many centuries Sacred texts: Vedas No founder, no central holy figure Buddhism Developed in 563 BCE after Siddhartha Gautama, who becomes the Buddha (“enlightened one”) Buddha accepted many Hindu beliefs but rejected its priests and the caste system it supported. Buddhism didn’t “stick” in India despite Ashoka’s conversion, but spread throughout Asia

Concept of Universal Spirit Hinduism has concept of universal spirit as do most Eastern religions Universal spirit is responsible for what happens in universe This spirit encompasses humans All human souls (called atman) are pieces of the spirit trapped inside a physical body

What Happens when you Die? Greatest desire of human soul is to unite with the universal spirit When you die you have this opportunity Each person has a karma A destiny shaped by years of cause & effect Your outward indication of your karma is the caste you live in

What Happens when you Die? (Continued) Attached to karma is dharma Dharma is your set of duties to perform If you have fulfilled your set of duties or your dharma--- then the atman will be reincarnated in the next life to a higher caste

Hinduism & caste system Members of Brahmin caste in original Aryan religion had attained their status Through many reincarnations Higher castes have the opportunity to attain moksha Moksha is reunion with universal spirit Caste system in modern India is illegal Buddhism was very critical of Hindu caste system

Is Hinduism polytheistic? Universal Spirit & individual gods Simplistic to say that Hinduism is polytheistic All the gods are part of the universal spirit Is Hinduism is actually monotheistic?

Major Hindu gods Vishnu—the preserver Vishnu is the second god of the Hindu triad Known as preserver of the universe Represents mercy and goodness Said to be the cosmic ocean nara, meaning water For this reason, he is also known as Narayana, or "one who moves on the waters"

Vishnu Hindu gods often portrayed with multiple hands or mudras (hand signals)

Vishnu

Shiva—the destroyer Shiva is the destroyer of the world Responsible for change in the form of death and destruction Also, responsible for positive sense of destroying the ego Includes shedding of old habits

Seated on tiger skin; tiger skin represents the Mind Shiva Seated on tiger skin; tiger skin represents the Mind

Vedas Doctrines of Hinduism stem from the Vedas Epic poems sung by priests Eventually written down Rig Veda most significant Deals with deities: Indra & Varuna & their relationship with humans

Hindu Poems & Stories Mahabharata Ramayana Bhagavad-Gita World’s longest poem Ramayana Represents the fulfillment of dharma, especially relationships of husband & wife Bhagavad-Gita Best known story in Hinduism (part of Mahabharata) About the warrior Arjuna

Bhagavad-Gita Warrior Arjuna must go to battle against his cousins His charioteer (god Krishan in disguise) reveals to him nature of human soul (atman) & cycle of rebirth Poem is moral guideline as are all Hindu poems You could start reading the Hindu poems at birth and never finish by end of your life

The Bhagavad-Gita Our bodies are know to end, but the embodied Self is enduring, Indestructible, and immeasurable; therefore, Arjuna, fight the battle! he who thinks this Self a killer and he who thinks it killed, both fail to understand; it does not kill, nor is it killed.

The Bhagavad-Gita It is not born, it does not die… it is enduring, all pervasive fixed, immobile, and timeless… The self embodied in the body of every being is indestructible; you have no cause to grieve for all these creatures, Arjuna!

Belief of Reincarnation There is a “world spirit” or “supreme principle” called Brahman This spirit present in everyone & living creatures All are part of the “world spirit” Goal of a Hindu is to return to Brahman Be absorbed into this universal spirit Takes more than one lifetime (reincarnation) Speed of absorption depends on ones karma

Karma All of the good & bad acts of ones previous life Good karma means you will be born into a better life Caste system fits with this belief Brahmins at top with knowledge of Vedas Must perform correct dharma within your class to achieve good karma

Important Components in Hinduism Attain perfect understanding Reincarnation Reach enlightenment or develop a relationship with the "universal spirit“ (known as Mokṣha)

Buddhism Buddha taught that everyone could reach nirvana or union with the universal spirit Different from Hinduism that related reincarnating to the caste system Hinduism saw individuals going through the various castes based on their previous life Reaching nirvana in Buddhism means not suffering

Buddhism Nirvana in Buddhism is similar to Hindu belief of attaining moksha Moksha, however, could only be attained by upper classes Nirvana can be reached through understanding the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

Buddhism & Four Noble Truths All of life is suffering All suffering is caused by desire for things that ultimately won’t fulfill us Desire can only be overcome by ending all desire Desire can only be ended by following the Eightfold Path

Buddhism & Eightfold Path Right understanding Right concentration Right intention Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness

Buddhism & Eightfold Path By following the eightfold path anyone can reach nirvana Buddhism broad appeal is that anyone can achieve satisfaction in life

Art in India Stupas: spherical Buddhist shrines Art was less realistic, and more stylistic Art was very colorful and was inspired by religion.

Economy and Society in India Caste system Created social order by regulating marriages and dictating rights (lower caste members had fewer rights) Family life Close family units; respect for elders Patriarchal society; rights of women limited; sati Code of Manu: “A woman must never be independent” System of arranged marriages; women cannot remarry

Sati

Economy and Society in India Extensive trade both within the subcontinent and in Indian Ocean trade. Emphasis on trade (cinnamon, elephants, salt, fish) Excelled in iron-making Produced textiles, cotton Agriculturally based