Civilizations to Empires China and India Civilizations to Empires
India Indus River Valley Two main cities Jobs Mohenjo-Daro Harappa Farmers Priest Kings Merchants and traders
Indus Valley Cities Fall Aryan nomads come from the north Seeking water and pasture Aryan social classes (eventual Caste system) Priests Warriors Herders, Famers, artisans, and merchants Non-Aryan Patriarchal Religion Polytheistic Natural Disasters? Earthquakes?
Caste System Over time, a caste system was created. Governed every aspect of a persons life. Jobs Marriage Residence
Mauryan Empire First rulers to unify much of India Chandragupta Maurya Grandson Ashoka assumed power (269-232 B.C.E.) Gained control over all but the southern tip of India Converted to Buddhism Improved trade and communication After Ashoka the empire began to fall apart
The Kushans After Ashoka’s death, Kushans pushed in from the northwest Kanishka also converted to Buddhism The collapse of the Kushan state in 220 C.E. ushered in a period of instability The Gupta’s then established a large empire in 320 C.E.
Growth of religion Hinduism No single founder or text Brahman Reincarnation Karma Polytheistic Today it is the 3rd largest religion behind Christianity and Islam
Growth of religion continued Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama Four Nobel Truths Truth of Suffering The truth of the origin of suffering The truth of the cessation of suffering nirvana The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering The Eightfold Path
China Physically separated from India, Egypt, and Middle East High mountains, deserts, jungles, ocean Developed with the need to control water Trading Silk route
Chinese Dynasties
Three periods make up classical China: the Zhou, the Qin, and the Han Zhou dynasty (1029-258 B.C.E.) Ruled through alliances with regional princes and families Support given through taxes and troops Decline came as regional leaders became strong, and disregarded the govt. Mandate of Heaven Claimed the heavens mandated the dynasties to rule over China Promoted the use of Mandarin Chinese Created calendars, made the first books 402-201 B.C.E. “Era of Warring States” and the Zhou dynasty ended
Qin Qin Shi Huangdi became the First emperor of the Qin dynasty China organized into large provinces ruled by bureaucrats Expanded the empire Built the Great Wall of China Written Chinese script became uniform Upon Shi Huangdi’s death, revolts broke out Ushered in the Han dynasty
Han Advanced trade Extended empire The Silk Road linked China with the fertile crescent Lasted 400 years
Chinese Dynasties
Philosophy and religion Confucius 551 B.C.E. Brilliant scholar Harmony comes when people accept their place in society Filial piety Legalism Hanfeizi Impose harsh laws and strict punishments Daoism Live in harmony with nature