Empire in Classical India Between 1500 – 600 B.C.E. a series of Aryan Kingdoms consolidated into several regional kingdoms However, India never established a tradition of one large, centralized state as seen in China.

The Mauryan Dynasty Chandragupta Maurya – Assumed power after Alexander the Great left India. Mauryans expanded their empire into present-day Afghanistan and well into central and eastern India by 321 B.C.E. Harsh rule, much like the Qin dynasty of China Ashoka – Grandson of Chandragrupta Became ruler of India in 268 B.C.E. and converted to Buddhism which gave the religion a lift in the region. Mauryan empire collapsed in 185 BCE because it could no longer sustain the cost of the military and central administration.

Emergence of Regional Kingdoms and the Revival of Empire Many small, successful kingdoms succeeded the Maurya for the next 400 years until the Gupta came to power in 320 C.E. Ruled a lot like the early Persian (left local affairs up to local rulers) Created stability for 200 years until Hun invasions split the empire and once again India became a region ruled by small kingdoms.

Economy and Social Distinctions Successes in iron metallurgy and great agricultural harvests allowed for the development of urban centers and trade expansion. Intensified the caste system Expansive trade with China in the east, Persia in the west, and access to the Indian Ocean Led to the creation of numerous towns which served as market places to distribute goods.

Family Life and the Caste System Although the ideal was to live with extended families, most Indians lived with nuclear family Women subordinate to men High frequency of child brides betrothed to men in their twenties Women still played big role in domestic affairs

Religions and Salvation in Classical India Fifth and Sixth centuries BCE New religions emerged that offered the hope of salvation for the dispossessed. Millions of converts rejected Hinduism that was promoted by the brahmin caste.

Jainism Hindu religion that eschewed all forms of violence. So strict that few people outside Jainist monks were able to follow its tenents. Did not follow the rules of the caste though so it was a fairly popular religion. Influenced people like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Early Buddhism Founder – Siddhartha Gautama Came from well to do high caste family without much exposure to the problems of the real world. As a grown up became a wandering monk contemplating the nature of suffering. Eventually, under a bo tree he discovered enlightenment and became: Buddha – the enlightened one Then began preaching his ideas and soon attracted many followers dedicated to him and his teachings.

Early Buddhism The Four Noble Truths All life has suffering Desire is the cause of suffering To eliminate desire will bring an end to suffering The only way to eliminate is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path

Early Buddhism The Noble Eightfold Path – The eight paths to enlightenment Right belief Right resolve Right speech Right behavior Right occupation Right effort Right contemplation And right meditation

Early Buddhism Eightfold Path and Four Noble Truths constitute the Dharma – Basic Teachings of Buddhism Nirvana – When faithful adherents to Buddhism eliminate desire and attain spiritual independence as an escape from the cycle of reincarnation.

Early Buddhism Became enormously appealing because it was not caste based and members of the lower caste had the same access to Nirvana as members of the higher castes. Spread quickly throughout much of central Asia.

Popular Hinduism Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavad Gita – Epics of Hinduism that reinforced the Caste system and emphasized the active life. Reopened Hinduism to the common people who were accustomed to the caste system and gradually Hinduism overtook Buddhism. By the time Islam was introduced to India after 1000 C.E., there were virtually no Buddhists other than monks in India.