CLASSICAL INDIA

I. After Harappa 1500 B.C.E. - fall of the Indus River Valley Civilization (Harappa) 1500 – 500 B.C.E. - nomadic Aryan invaders move in, begin building new civilization Based on rigid social structures and the emerging Hindu religion Two Ages to consider: Vedic Age – from the word veda, Sanskrit word for “knowledge” Epic Age

II. Government Less cohesive than classical China's political culture Diverse political ideas based on regionalism Different types of gov't in different areas Monarchies, assemblies of priests/warriors common Warfare between regions very common 327 B.C.E. - Alexander the Great invades 322 B.C.E. - Chandragupta Maurya seizes power along the Ganges river, begins Maurya dynasty Borrows from Alexander the Great: Large, powerful armies Autocratic (absolute) ruler Large bureaucracy

II. continued... Mauryan dynasty united much of the sub-continent Invaders and political unrest begin to unravel the Mauryan dynasty Kushans, then the Gupta dynasty begin ruling Under Gupta dynasty, longest period of political stability Promoted uniform law code Supported higher education and arts Considered “golden age” of Indian history

III. Economy Agriculture based Focus on trade and merchant activity Most of population were farming peasants Focus on trade and merchant activity Merchants had high status Trade within India and outside thanks to sea routes Rivaled China in terms of technological advancement Chemistry Steel Manufacturing – cotton cloth, calico, cashmere

IV. Social Structure Brahmins – priests Indian life based on strict hierarchy of the caste system 5 main social classes (varnas) Brahmins – priests Kshatriyas – warrior/governing class Vaisyas – traders & farmers Sudras – common laborers Untouchables – confined to jobs like hauling trash and dead bodies

IV. continued... Caste system becomes hereditary (passed to children) Marriage between castes forbidden, punishable by death Caste system assigned people occupations Gender relations Patriarchal Husbands & fathers were dominant figures Women had little rights Arranged marriages became the norm

V. Religion Hinduism Vedas - contain hymns, incantations, and rituals From the Sanskrit word, sindhu, meaning “river.” No single founder - combination of beliefs Sacred texts Vedas - contain hymns, incantations, and rituals Upanishads – continuation of the Vedas, elaborates on Karma Bhagavad Gita – conversations between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna

V. continued... Hinduism continued... Spiritual leaders called gurus or sages Polytheistic & pantheistic – “god is all” Main beliefs: Brahman – is the entire universe (pantheism) Lesser gods over see different aspects of life Karma - actions in this life that affect the next Dharma - the religious and moral duties of an individual Caste system

V. continued... Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) was an Indian Prince who lived in luxury and comfort One day he left the palace and saw an old man, a sick man, and a dead man Realized life is full of suffering Meditated until he became enlightened

V. continued... Buddhism continued... 4 noble truths: All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow (misery). The cause of suffering is desire for things such as riches, power and long life. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire. The way to overcome desire is to follow the 8-fold path.

V. continued... Some main beliefs: It is important to live a moral life Enlightenment is achieved through meditation The ultimate goal is nirvana - union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.

V. concluded. Hinduism & Buddhism shared beliefs Karma, reincarnation – keeping people bound to the earth Emphasize compassion and non-violence Emphasize meditation and renouncing worldly things in order to reach the spiritual afterlife