India & Southeast Asia
The Vedic Age 1500-500 BCE Aryas vs. Dasas Varna Class Structure = Brahmin (Priests/Scholars) Kshatriya (Warriors) Vaishya (Merchants) Shudra (Peasant/Laborers) Untouchables (Demeaning work) Jati = Subdivision of the 4 main Varna (Caste) Rules (Jobs, duties, interaction among Jati groups) Role of Women Worship via sacrifice Study, participate in rituals, own property
Jainism, Buddhism & Hinduism Founded by Mahavira 540- 468BCE Nonviolence to all living things Buddhism (563-483 BCE) Founder: Siddhartha Gautama The Four Noble Truths / Eightfold Path to Enlightenment 2 Sects = Mahayana (new) & Theravada (old) Hinduism ‘What the Indians Do’ Reformed Vedic Religion Devotion to the gods: Vishnu (North) or Shiva (South) & Devi (Goddess)=Creative/Destructive Pilgrimage to holy sites/shrines Dominant Regional Religion
The Mauryan Empire 324-184 BCE Formed from Kingdom of Magadha Strategic Geographic Location Agricultural & Iron Resources Mauryan Government Capital: Pataliputra Large Army 25% Agricultural Tax State Monopolies (mines, ships, weapons) Notable Leaders Founder: Chandragupta Maurya Ashoka = Buddhism becomes state religion (Buddhist empire) Era of Political Fragmentation (500yrs) Greco-Bactrian influence (NW) Literary Achievements (Sanskrit) Merchants became religious patrons 3 Tamil kingdoms = ‘Classical Period’
The Gupta Empire 320-550 CE Kingdom of Magadha-Chandra Gupta Controlled Central & Northern India Copied Mauryan Govt. Structure Except: Small military & theatre-state Gupta Culture Trade with SE Asia Literacy / Mathematics Arabic numerals & concept of zero Women = No right to own land, married younger, sati ritual Religion = Hinduism /Tolerant Collapse = Military Spending (Huns) Southern India Remained Independent Warrior Kingdoms
Southeast Asia 50-600 CE 3 Geographic Zones Indochina Mainland Malay Peninsula Islands Natural Resources & Agriculture Fertile soil (geologically active zone)/ Several Growing Seasons Domestic Animals / Agricultural Products Swidden agriculture Migrations Malay peoples from Southern China First Major State = Funan 1st thru 6th Century Mekong Delta (Rice Bowl)