China & India

Central Government: Han China & Gupta India Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) -- Paper -- Gunpowder -- Silk Mandate of Heaven = the divine right to rule by Chinese Emperors Civil service examinations = Officials gained position by merit rather than family connections Gupta Empire (320 CE – 550 CE) -- Arabic numerals -- Vaccines -- Stupas Samudragupta = greatest military genius in Indian history; nearly conquered the entire Indian subcontinent Chandragupta II = ruled during the height of India’s Golden Age

Cities: Pataliputra & Chang’an Pataliputra = capital of the Gupta Empire Chang’an = capital of the Han Dynasty

Technology: The Great Wall of China Great Wall of China = a system of walls built and rebuilt since 221 BCE that stretches about 4,500 miles across China’s northern border

Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras Social Classes: Caste System of India Brahmins = priests Kshatriyas = warriors Vaisyas = landowners and merchants Sudras = peasants and servants Untouchables = sanitation workers and latrine cleaners Untouchables

Writing: Calligraphy Calligraphy = fine handwriting made by Chinese scholars with brush and ink

Organized Religion: Mahabharata Mahabharata = the greatest Indian epic of 100,000 verses that mixes history, mythology, and religion

Job Specialization: Silk Makers Silk making = the process of making silk thread from the cocoons of silkworms by the Chinese around 1000 BCE; silk fabric became China’s most valuable export