India and the Indian Ocean Basin Chapter 15

I: Islamic and Hindu Kingdoms Post-Gupta: regional kingdoms – no Post-Classic empire North: competing states with periodic invasions by nomads (some integrated into caste system) Attempts were made to unify, but unsuccessful (Harsha – Buddhist, hospitals, patron of scholars)

I: The Introduction of Islam to N. India Several process: Military: 711, Muslims conquered Sind -> Umayyid province -> Abbasid province (but only in name) Most remained Buddhist or Hindu; lots of fighting between Arab admin. and local elites

I: The Introduction of Islam to N. India Merchants: Persian and Arab, small communities along coasts, married local women => more effective Migration/invasion: 10th century, Turkish nomadic Muslims (migrated all over), founded state in Afghanistan (under Mahmud); raided N. India (didn’t rule, plundered and built mosques)

I: The Sultanate of Delhi Late 12th century: Mahmud’s successors wanted to conquer N. India under Islamic rule 1206-1526: Delhi Sultanate Powerful army Mosques, shrines, fortresses Patrons of the arts and literature Destroyed Hindu temples and charged jizya Couldn’t spread into S, no permanent bureaucracy, some converted

I: The Hindu Kingdoms of S. India Politically divided, but much less war and invasions The Chola Kingdom: 850-1267 – semi-unified, built on trade profits, strong navy, not tightly centralized (local autonomy in exchange for order and tax revenues) Decline: revolts -> back to small states

I: The Hindu Kingdoms of S. India Kingdom of Vijayanagar: 1336-1565 – dominated much of south Southern India: no strong centralized political entities, but coherent and distinctive society (trade-based, common social structures and cultural traditions)

II: Production and trade in the Indian Ocean Basin Similar trends as in Islamic Empire and China Increasing agricultural productivity > increase in trade and manufacturing > economic development, regional links, LD links

II: Agriculture in the Monsoon World Due to seasons, irrigation required during dry months In North: irrigation had been used since Harappan In South: drier, with few rivers = with increasing population, increased need for irrigation Built dams, reservoirs, canals, wells, tunnels; some large-scale and required lots of labor Population increase -> urbanization (capitals, ports, trading centers)

II: Trade and the Economic Development of Southern India Internal trade: most regions were self-sufficient in staple foods Not in other resources (metal, spices, specialized crops) -> regional specialization -> many areas benefitted from internal trade

II: Trade and the Economic Development of Southern India Temples served as economic and social centers organized agricultural activities, irrigation, surplus, provided education, owned land, employed many, collected taxes for political authorities, acted as bankers (loans , investments)

II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin Increases in volume and value with larger ships and improved commercial organization Ships: dhows (Indian, Persian, Arab sailors) and junks (Chinese and SE Asian sailors) Used monsoon winds

II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin Emporia = trading centers – common in India and Arabia (= central locations) = cosmopolitan cities with people of various religions and ethnicities living and working together Emporia + sea lanes = maritime silk road (transportation, communication, and exchange) Increased with Abbasids and Tang/Song

II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin Increasing specialization in commodity production: India: fine cotton textiles (required more agri. and artisans), sugar, leather, carpet weaving, etc. China: silk, porcelain, lacquerware SE Asia: fine spices SW Asia: incense, horses, dates E. Africa: gold, ivory, slaves Specialization influenced economic and social structure

II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin Trade also supported political development The Kingdom of Axum: N. Ethopia, Christian traded in Red Sea, acted as go-between for southern Africa and Egypt 7th-8th centuries: unconquered by Arabs; maintained commercial ties to India and SE Asia and Muslim neighbors

II: Caste and Society Caste system was adaptable to changes (migrations, Islam, economic development, urbanization) Became more complex (esp. as merchant and manufacturing jatis developed) and helped maintain order in local communities (through Hindu temples) Established codes of conduct within and between castes and helped form group identities Spread to southern India

III: The Meeting of Hindu and Islamic Traditions Jains and Buddhists decreased in numbers (but, Buddhism flourished in E., C., and SE Asia) Hinduism dominated the south and Islam dominated the north (very different) Why? Turks destroyed Buddhist monasteries and stuppas (killed or exiled monks)

III: The Development of Hinduism Growth of devotional cults to Vishnu or Shiva Vishnu – preserver of the world Shiva – god of fertility, the destroyer Esp. popular in the south: promised salvation through offerings, meditation, building temples and shrines to gods Hinduism also influenced philosophy

III: Islam and its Appeal Spread mostly through merchant communities and via sufis (personal, emotional approach) Many converted, especially those in lower castes The Bhakti movement: cult of love and devotion that tried to merge Hinduism and Islam -> not really very successful

IV: The Influence of Indian Society in Southeast Asia India had political and cultural impact on S and SE Asia via merchant trading communities rulers used profits from spice trade to build and consolidate power Borrowed elements from India: kingship with courts and rituals, Hinduism and/or Buddhism, Indian lit. But, not the caste system and maintained native religions

IV: The States of Southeast Asia For example: Funan: kingdom in Mekong delta, Adopted Indian political, cultural, and religious traditions: “raja”, divine sanction, admin. and bureaucrats, sanskrit for official business, ceremonies and rituals, Hindu deities For example: Angkor: kingdom in Cambodia Hinduism, with later shift toward Buddhism Capital = Angkor Thom

IV: The Arrival of Islam 10th century: Muslim merchants from Arabia, Persia, and India First, port cities and later, rulers, traders, and others converted Elite converts often continued to honor Hindu, Buddhist, and native traditions Islam helped rulers deal with merchants and gain divine sanction

IV: The Arrival of Islam Kingdom of Melaka, 15th century Excellent location to control trade Navy protected sea lanes and forced ships to call at port and pay taxes Sponsored missionaries to spread Islam throughout SE Asia