Source: Herman Merivale, British Undersecretary of the Colonies, 1850s Indentured laborers are not voluntary immigrants in the ordinary sense, led by spontaneous desire of bettering their condition; they are not slaves, seized by violence, brought over in fetters, and working under the lash. They have been raised, not without effort, like recruits for the military service. Point of View (POV) Mini- Lesson: point of view explains why this particular person or organization might have this particular opinion or what particular feature informs the author’s point of view students must move beyond mere description of the individual by considering and explaining the tone, the characteristics and experiences of the author, the intended audience and/or how the intended outcome may have influenced the author’s opinion. mere attribution is not sufficient. Attribution is copying or repeating information verbatim from the source line of the document.

Chapter 9: State, Society and the Quest for Salvation in India Classic Empires? The Mauryan and Gupta Empires: 321 BCE – 550 CE

First to unite India: Chandragupta Maurya 320s BCE The necessary education, drill, and discipline to cultivate militarism were confined to the members of one community, the Ksatriyas. This prevented the militant attitude from spreading to other communities and kept the whole social structure unaffected by actual wars and war institutions. Says the Arthva Veda: "May we revel, living a hundred winters, rich in heroes." The whole country looked upon the members of the ksatriya community as defenders of their country and consequently did not grudge the high influence and power wielded by the Ksatriyas, who were assigned a social rank next in importance to the intellectual and spiritual needs of the society First to unite India: Chandragupta Maurya 320s BCE

Ashoka Maurya r. 268-232 BCE High point of Mauryan Empire Siddhartha as a Boddhisatva

"All religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart." Rock Edict Nb7 (S. Dhammika) "Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice." Rock Edict Nb1 (S. Dhammika) "Contact (between religions) is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions.“ Rock Edict Nb12 (S. Dhammika) "One benefits in this world and gains great merit in the next by giving the gift of the Dhamma." Rock Edict Nb11 (S. Dhammika) "Happiness in this world and the next is difficult to obtain without much love for the Dhamma, much self-examination, much respect, much fear (of evil), and much enthusiasm." Pilar Edict Nb1 (S. Dhammika)

Spread of Buddhism under Ashoka Maurya 268-232 BCE Decline of Empire? Similar to anywhere else?

The Gupta Empire: ~ 320 – 500 CE Chandra Gupta II 375 – 415 CE Decentralized leadership Local states still retain some power

spices silks cotton goods rice & wheat spices horses gold & ivory Extensive Trade of the 4th C CE spices silks cotton goods rice & wheat spices horses gold & ivory gold & ivory cotton goods

International Trade Routes during the Golden Age of the Gupta Empire

500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Gupta Achievements 1000 diseases classified Hindu revival With death of Ashoka: Bhagavad Gita 500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Kalidasa Literature Plastic Surgery Medicine Inoculations Gupta India C-sections performed Solar Calendar Astronomy Mathematics Decimal System The earth is round PI = 3.1416 Concept of Zero

The moral of the game was that a person can attain salvation (Moksha) through performing good deeds whereas by doing evil one takes rebirth in lower forms of life (Patamu). The number of Ladders was less than the number of Snakes as a reminder that treading the path of good is very difficult compared to committing sins. Presumably the number "100" represented Moksha (Salvation).

Invasion of The White Huns ~ 450 CE Decline of the Gupta Empire?