State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation Classical India State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation

The Mauryan Empire Contact with Achaemenid Empire (Darius) introduces Persian administration techniques Alexander destroys northwestern Indian states Magadha Central Ganges plain Agriculture and trade Most important state in northeastern India (500 BCE) Controlled commerce in Ganges valley and trade across Bay of Bengal

The Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya Seizes control of remote regions of Magadha Works his way toward center, overthrows rulers, consolidates power Takes control of Punjab and Bactria (area between Afghanistan and Pakistan Controls all of northern India from the Indus to the Ganges Kautalya (political advisor) and the Arthashastra Method of administering the empire, trade and agriculture, taxes, maintaining order, foreign relations, war Use of spies and prostitutes Bureaucratic, central administration Abdicates thrown to become monk-> son takes over-> adds southern India to empire

The Mauryan Empire Ashoka Maurya Chandragupta’s grandson Conqueror- takes control of Kalinga 100,000 killed, 150,000 displaced, countless died on ruined land Governor- ruled almost all of India Tightly organized bureaucracy inherited from Chandragupta Capital at Pataliputra (central administration) Local subordinates implement policies Central treasury collects taxes Inscribed edicts on rocks and pillars to communicate policies Encouraged Buddhist values Serve as fair, just, and humane ruler Expanded economy, government, and agriculture Built roads and irrigation systems

The Mauryan Empire Decline Ashoka dies 232 BCE Financial and economic difficulties Extensive army Large corps of administrative officials Currency lost value Mauryan Empire disappears by 185 BCE

Bactrian Rule As Mauryan Empire collapsed, local rulers formed small kingdoms that kept order Northwestern India falls to Greek conquerors from Bactria Bactria linked China with Mediterranean basin Promoted cross-cultural interaction and exchange in northern India Bactria flourishes

Kushan Empire Nomadic conquerors from central Asia end Indo-Greek rule in Bactria Kushans rule empire in Northern India and Central Asia from 1-300 CE Kanishka (prominent Kushan empire) 78-103 CE Rules Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Northern India Facilitated trade between India and Silk Road regions Patronized culture Bactrian artists Greek paintings and sculptures Buddhist art

The Gupta Empire Center empire at Magadha Wealth Dominance of Ganges Valley Intermediary between regions Chandra Gupta (not related to Chandragupta Maurya) Lays foundation for Gupta Empire Creates alliances with families in Ganges region Establishes kingdom 320 CE Successors Samudra Gupta and Chandra Gupta II Conquer regional kingdoms Establish tributary alliances Deccan Plateau and southern-most part of India out of reach

The Gupta Empire Smaller than Mauryan Empire Left administration and policy-making to regional allies Brought prosperity and stability to India Sophisticated studies in math and science Plastic surgery Astronomers determine Earth is spherical that rotates on axis Develop symbol for zero and place-value system= faster, more advanced calculations Pi= 3.1416 Length of solar year= 365.3586805 Hindi numerals= “arabic numerals” University at Nalanda

The Gupta Empire Decline Invasions of White Huns Defense weakens Gupta Empire in resources White Huns cross Hindu Kush mountains Regional governors usurp imperial powers Large, regional kingdoms dominate India between Guptas and Mughals (1500 CE)

Economic Development Agricultural surplus= towns, trade, and further development of the caste system Provided manufactured products-> pots, textiles, iron tools, jewelry, etc. Entrepreneurs organize businesses Market places for trade throughout India (Ganges, roads) Long-distance trade Political and military links with outside empires Roads Conquest Hindu Kush Mountains Gandhara Silk Roads Indian Ocean Basin- Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Persian Gulf, Red Sea

Social Distinctions Patriarchal families and defined roles Women Weak-willed, emotional, and devoted to husbands Child marriage common (betrothed at 8-9 then married at puberty) Devoted to men and bound to family affairs Castes Brahmins, Kshatriyes, Vaishyas, and Shudras Trade and industry expand Vaishyas Guilds (regulate prices and provide for families) function as subcastes (jati)- organize courts, discipline members, regulate community affairs Economic development provides enormous wealth for vaishyas and shudras Become wealthier and more influential than brahmins and kshatriyas

Jainism Vardhamana Mahavira Teachings Born in Northern India (540 BCE) to kshatriya family Left home at 30 to seek salvation by escaping the cycle of incarnation Ascetic life-> gained enlightenment Abandoned worldly goods Detachment from the world Taught to disciples (Jains) who spread his teachings Teachings All things possess a soul Trapped in terrestrial body they experience suffering Purification from selfish behavior, release souls, shed burdens of karma accumulated during incarnation, and attain bliss

Jainism Ethics Appeal Influences Buddhism and Hinduism Ahimsa- nonviolence to other living things or their souls Difficult to observe strictly- impractical Appeal Recognition of souls in all things and rejection of harming them= social distinctions not recognized Popular among lower castes Influences Buddhism and Hinduism

Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama (563 BCE) Three Sufferings Kshatriya family in Himalayas Pampered, sheltered life, no misery Three Sufferings Age Sickness Death Decided to live as an ascetic Search for Enlightenment Abandons position, family, and inheritance Hermit Meditation Temptations Understands suffering and how to eliminate it Becomes the Buddha- “the enlightened one”

Buddhism The Dharma- the basic doctrine shared by Buddhists The Four Noble Truths Suffering is present in all things Desire causes suffering Eliminating desire ends suffering To eliminate desire you must follow the Eightfold Path The Eightfold Path Right Belief- understanding the Four Noble Truths Right Resolve- live a selfless, nonviolent life Right Speech- Be careful and truthful in what you say Right Behavior- Do not steal, kill, or lie Right Occupation- Do not take a job that harms others Right Effort- Promote good actions and deter evil actions Right Contemplation- Be aware of but not attached to your emotions Right Meditation- Focus your mind with meditation

Buddhism The Dharma Appeal Ultimate goal= detachment from the world itself Salvation= escape from the cycle of incarnation and attainment of nirvana- a state of perfect spiritual independence Appeal Do not recognize social distinctions Appeals to members of lower castes Does not require extreme lifestyle of Jains Buddhists subscribe to vernacular languages rather than Sanskrit Buddhist monasteries influential Ashoka Buddhism could lend support and unity to his realm Banned animal sacrifices Gave up hunting Eliminated most meat dishes Granted land to Buddhists Sent missionaries Attracted people from Central, East, and Southeast Asia

Hinduism Mahabharata Ramayana Bhagavad Gita Ethics Bloody civil war for control of Northern India Ramayana Love and adventure story of Prince Rama and his loyal wife, Sita Bhagavad Gita Expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation Ethics Salvation can be attained by those who fulfill their caste roles and participate actively in the world Do not strive for material reward or recognition

Hinduism Four Principal Aims of Human Life Appeal Dharma- obedience to religious and moral laws Artha- pursuit of economic well-being and honest prosperity Kama- enjoyment of social, physical, and sexual pleasure Moksha- salvation of the soul Appeal Guptas gave land grants to Hindus Dominant religious and cultural tradition