Late Indian History Caste System Patterns of Indian Civilizations

Two Great Faiths Hinduism Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reunite atman (soul) with Brahman Deities Caste system Buddhism Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reach Nirvana No Deities Open to all

Caste System “Varnas” Brahmins Priestly caste: most privileged in rituals Must conform to ritually purer practices (e.g., strict vegetarianism) Kshatriyas Warriors and rulers

Caste System “Varnas” Vaishyas landowning farmers and merchants Sudras Low status laborers and artisans Harijans (Dalits) Untouchables (technically considered so low as to not be a caste) Do the “dirty work”; killing animals, tanning hides, sweeping and cleaning 20% of current population

Basic Patterns of Indian Civilizations 6 th century BCE to 6 th century CE Periods of political unity followed by long periods of fragmented disunity Invaders conquered India, but were then culturally assimilated To this day, unity in India comes from culture, not politics Caste system is more important that political parties

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire 321 BCE Chandragupta Maurya forged the largest empire in Indian history Created a well- organized bureaucracy

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire Borrowed ideas from Alexander the Great Tax collection Royal courts of law Large army (chariots and elephants) Secret police Postal system

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka Asoka, 268 BCE Ruthless warrior After bloody war he turned his back on further conquests. Converted to Buddhism Rejected violence Resolved to rule by moral example.

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka Preached tolerance for other religions Spread Buddhism throughout Asia Temples Monasteries Monks Asoka’s Edicts

600 Years of Disorder (2nd century BCE - 4th century CE) Numerous invasions from Central Asia and Middle East Buddhism continued to spread Hinduism declined Connected India with China & Rome Spices, cloth, and luxury items

Empires of India: The Gupta Empire Chandra Gupta in 320 CE “Classical” Age of India Arts Literature (Kama Sutra) Philosophy Mathematics (decimals & 0)

Empires of India: The Gupta Empire Favored Hinduism Emphasized the caste system Buddhism declined

Empires of India: The Gupta Empire Huns invade in 535 CE India entered their “Dark Ages”

Rajputs 10 th Century CE Warrior kings Many small states Indian rule was similar to European Feudalism Greatest temple builders

Islam and India Early 8 th century, first Islamic contact 1001, first massive Muslim invasion 150 years of peace Mohammed of Ghor returned in 1192 and conquered India by 1202 Muslim rule until 1397 Hinduism thrived despite significant differences with Islam