India after the Mauryan Dynasty

Agenda 1. Bell Ringer: Closing Arguments Mongol Debate 2. Lecture: India after the Mauryan Dynasty. 3. Tamerlane Primary Reading HW: Finish Primary Source if not complete in class.

Gupta Dynasty Another Classical era in India Led by Chandragupta Trade is regulated by government, large merchant class. There is a small money economy, but most trade is through barter. Known for temples and monasteries. Decline would occur in the 5th Century through division and invasions from nomadic warriors.

Transformation of Buddhism A nirvana that can’t be described was replaced with a heavenly salvation, and Siddhartha was regarded with divinity. Theravada – Buddhism is a way of life, not a salvationist creed. Focus on a quest for understanding. Mahayana- Nirvana could be achieved through devotion, not just attention to behavior. It attempted to provide a “lesser vehicle” for the working class to maintain hope of reaching Nirvana, without the strict rules and resources of Theravada. Is it a lesser religion?

Arrival of Islam Decline of the Gupta Dynasty would allow Islam to slowly infiltrate Northern India. Empire of Ghazni (997-1030) Spread Islamic empire through upper India. Very prosperous, however the exclusion of Hindu’s in society led to tensions between the religions, and a lack of advancement. Delhi Sultanate attempts to bridge the divisions, but the Mongols hinder progress. Tughluq Dynasty emerges and rules until the early 1400s. Tamerlane ruins the party.

Tamerlane (Timur the Lame) Timur the Lame ruled a Mongol Khanate. Particularly vicious, he would decimate Delhi by killing over 100,000 people and construct pyramids with their skulls… Destroyed Baghdad to the point where there was no life for several months (no birds, bugs, etc.) He dies in 1405 after taking the Ottoman Sultan back to Samarkand.

Wait for it, The Mongols Thesis (1) - Needs to present an argument, something to prove. 2. Documents (1) - 14 used, and interpreted. 3. Documents and Thesis (2) - All show relevance to Thesis 4. Groupings (1) - 3 groupings for Credit 5. Point of View (1) - two documents must include POV/Bias 6. Outside Source (1)