Bon Voyage! Why India Why India Why Study India, Why Explore India Why Study India, Why Explore India Alex Arrives Alex Arrives Indo-Greek Encounters Indo-Greek Encounters Medieval Middle Easterners Medieval Middle Easterners Indo-Muslim Interactions Indo-Muslim Interactions Voyages of Vascos Voyages of Vascos Europe rediscovers India Europe rediscovers India English Imperialism English Imperialism India and the “Sunny” Empire India and the “Sunny” Empire Belated Bills Belated Bills Where have you been, Bills? Where have you been, Bills?
Exploring India
India for Iowa/Indiana? Historical importance Historical importance Two melting pots: USA and India Two melting pots: USA and India Socio-cultural relevance Socio-cultural relevance E Pluribus Unam (One from many) E Pluribus Unam (One from many) Intellectual links Intellectual links King, Emerson, Yoga, Vegan King, Emerson, Yoga, Vegan WTO demands WTO demands China + India = Products + Services China + India = Products + Services
Major Ancient Empires
Alex Arrives Alexander Arrived – Chanakya Confronted Alexander Arrived – Chanakya Confronted Megasthenes Recorded Megasthenes Recorded Similarities Similarities Chariots, Weapons, Attire, Myths, Ritual, Philosophy Chariots, Weapons, Attire, Myths, Ritual, Philosophy Pythagoras Plato Pythagoras Plato
Medieval Middle East
Middle Easterners & Mughals 499 AD Taxila destroyed by Huns, 1200 AD Nalanda and others destroyed by other middle easterners 499 AD Taxila destroyed by Huns, 1200 AD Nalanda and others destroyed by other middle easterners Early invasions for loot, conquest, anti-idolatry Early invasions for loot, conquest, anti-idolatry 1526 Babar (and Mughal Raj) arrived 1526 Babar (and Mughal Raj) arrived Akbar and Shahjehan promoted harmony and cultural achievements. Dara Shikoh translated Vedic texts Akbar and Shahjehan promoted harmony and cultural achievements. Dara Shikoh translated Vedic texts New Hindu reform movements with common themes – Bhakti saints (Kabir, Chaitanya) and Sikhism New Hindu reform movements with common themes – Bhakti saints (Kabir, Chaitanya) and Sikhism Sufism – mystic and philosophic parallels Sufism – mystic and philosophic parallels “Muslim body with Hindu mind”. “Muslim body with Hindu mind”. Hindu > Indic. Muslim > Islamicate Hindu > Indic. Muslim > Islamicate
Voyages of Vascos Columbus – “Red India” For India in 1492 Columbus – “Red India” For India in 1492 Vasco da Gama – 1498, bypassing middlemen, increase in trade Vasco da Gama – 1498, bypassing middlemen, increase in trade Early missionaries Early missionaries Francis Xavier – 1542 Roberto de Nobili – 1605 Sea Route of Vasco da Gama Sea Route of Vasco da Gama Sea Route of Vasco da Gama Sea Route of Vasco da Gama
English Imperialism Paul Kennedy – 1790 to 1947, 30% 2% Paul Kennedy – 1790 to 1947, 30% 2% Railways, post, telegraph, court, education, administration infrastructure Railways, post, telegraph, court, education, administration infrastructure Lord McCauley (1835) – Creation of Indians in blood and color but English in taste, opinion, morals, intellect Lord McCauley (1835) – Creation of Indians in blood and color but English in taste, opinion, morals, intellect William Jones (1746 – 1794), Max Muller (1823 – 1900) William Jones (1746 – 1794), Max Muller (1823 – 1900)
Belated Bills Two “natural allies” biggest democracies based on pluralism, equality, freedom and human rights. Both victims of terrorism. Two “natural allies” biggest democracies based on pluralism, equality, freedom and human rights. Both victims of terrorism. IT DID IT, Cold (war) ice melted IT DID IT, Cold (war) ice melted Bill Gates and Bill Clinton Bill Gates and Bill Clinton Indians in USA, “Model Minority” Indians in USA, “Model Minority” Stronger partnership critical for world peace Stronger partnership critical for world peace
Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (Truth is one, wise call it many) E Pluribus Unam (One from many) Thank You