The Vedic Age BCEThe Vedic Age BCE Aryas v.Dasas Varna Class Structure = 1.Brahmin (Priests/Scholars) 2.Kshatriya (Warriors) 3.Vaishya (Merchants) 4.Shudra (Peasant/Laborers) 5.Untouchables (Demeaning work) Jati = Subdivision of the 4 main Varna (Caste) Rules (Jobs, duties, interaction among Jati groups) Role of Women Worship via sacrifice Study, participate in rituals, own property
Jainism, Buddhism & HinduismJainism, Buddhism & Hinduism Jainism Founded by Mahavira BCE Nonviolence to all living things Buddhism ( BCE) Founder: Siddhartha Gautama The Four Noble Truths / Eightfold Path to Enlightenment 2 Sects = Mahayana (new) & Theravada (old) Hinduism ‘What the Indians Do’ Reformed Vedic Religion Devotion to the gods: Vishnu (North) or Shiva (South) & Devi (Goddess)=Creative/Destructive Pilgrimage to holy sites/shrines Dominant Regional Religion
The Mauryan Empire BCEThe Mauryan Empire BCE Formed from Kingdom of Magadha Strategic Geographic Location Agricultural & Iron Resources Mauryan Government Capitol: Pataliputra Large Army 25% Agricultural Tax State Monopolies (mines, ships, weapons) Notable Leaders Founder: Chandragupta Maurya Ashoka = Buddhism becomes state religion (Buddhist empire!) Era (500 yrs) of Political Fragmentation Greco-Bactrian influence (NW) Literary Achievements (Sanskrit) Merchants became religious patrons 3 Tamil kingdoms = ‘Classical Period’
The Gupta Empire CEThe Gupta Empire CE Kingdom of Magadha-Chandra Gupta Controlled Central & Northern India Copied Mauryan Govt. Structure Except: Weak military & theatre-state Gupta Culture Trade with SE Asia Literacy / Mathematics Arabic numerals & concept of zero Women = No right to own land, treated like Shudra, married young, social status determined treatment Religion = Hinduism / Tolerant Collapse = Military Spending (Huns) Southern India Remained Independent Warrior Kingdoms (Pallavas & Cholas)
Southeast Asia CESoutheast Asia CE 3 Geographic Zones Indochina Mainland Malay Peninsula Islands Natural Resources & Agriculture Fertile soil / Several Growing Seasons Domestic Animals / Agricultural Products Swidden = Slash & Burn agriculture Migrations Malay peoples from Southern China First Major State = Funan 1 st thru 6 th Century Mekong Delta (Rice Bowl)