Indian Regionalism Post-Classical India

Post Classical World Regionalism common in Asian world Other areas such as China and Islam experienced only brief regionalism with surges of Empire Northern India has garnered most of the attention thus far, this period sees the South emerge as a prominent entity.

Southern India With the emergence of Maritime trade—it rose to prominence. As early as the 1 st millennium AD this region vied for political dominance and saw countless small “proto-kingdoms” emerge. Groups such as the Pandya, Pallava, and Chola. These groups bore a strong resemblance to Zhou China.

Caste in Southern India Not as urban as the North, we see the emergence of the “three caste system”. – North/South: Religious caste – North/South: Professional caste – South/North: Geographic caste (hill-people, dessert-people) Each caste had “jati” amidst them.

Gender relations in South India South India saw women play elite roles in politics culture and the economy. Very different from the rest of the classical-PC world. Princesses, poets, female rulers, merchants, artisans, etc…

Southern India Cultural Traits Hindu temples often had universities teaching Hindu philosophy—prevelance of Hinduism in Southern India in the face of Islam. Law, medicine, poetry, and astronomy significant fields of study. Art and poetry: see attached

Temple Building A sign of religious devotion Set tempo for not only South Asia but SE Asia.

Prominent leaders of South Asia Chola Kingdom Rajaraja I Conquest of “Lanka” Expansion/Navy Feudalism Unity never achieved

Northwestern India Mauryan dynasty destroyed—Gupta emerged and later destroyed by the Huns. Constant invasions from Central Asia and Arab and Turkish Muslims illustrated the flexibility of the caste system. Buddhism most prominent in this region.

NE India Gupta rule replaced by Harsha. Xuan Zang: Marco Polo or Ibn Batuta Characteristics Similar to Charlemagne from Europe “Samanta system” Dissimilar to China

Harsha and religion Adhered to Buddhism but tolerated Hinduisum Abhorred Sati

Dehli Sultanate: Islamic entrance Waves of conquest that begin 711 Absorbed into Abbasid caliphate Islam had significant appeal Entered largely via trade Pirates prompt Invasion Muhammad Ibn Qasim Results-“Dhimmi”.

Mahmud of Ghazni 17 raids into India in 26 years Established Delhi Sultanate Took advantage of Indian Regionalism Army of 300,000 Intolerant to Hinduism and Buddhism Never moved beyond Deccan region of India Time of great struggle

Dehli Sultanate

Indian influences on Islamic Civilization Arab numerals Geometry Medicine Hospitals Arabian Nights Cultural sharing

Trade in PC India Most areas were “self-sufficient” in staple foods Regional strengths emerge Spice Politics meant controlling trade Agricultural yields increased Irrigation became more sophisticated (Bhopal reservoir) Increased agricultural productivity led to: Importance of temples

Cross Cultural Trade

Cross-Cultural Interaction Advancements in trade and shipping Emporia: a place which the traders of one nation had reserved to their business interests within the territory of another nation. Commerce and cultural diffusion Trade goods

Religion and Culture in PC India Jainism and Buddhism begin to wither in India. Region dominated by Hinduism and Islam Rise of a new faith— Sikh. Rise of regional devotional cults in India.

Rise of Vishnu and Shiva Decline of Buddhism Vishnu-Preserver of the World, a god who observed the universe from the heavens and entered the world in human form to resist evil or communicate his teachings. Shiva (Siva): a god of fertility and destruction, brought life and took it away.

Appeal of Bhakti Promised salvation Deities honored daily Regionalism of cults Goal to achieve a mystic union with Shiva or Vishnu Temples were built to honor these deities

Shankara Take all Hindu philosophy and blend it into a single, consistent system of thought. Physical world-illusion (Plato) Only disciplined logic could lead to fulfillment

Ramanuja Intellectual understand was less important than those who possessed a deep personal understanding of faith. (Mani) Followed “Gita” Direct devotion to Vishnu would bring his grace.

Guru Kabir: The Bhakti Movement Kabir always insisted on the concept of Koi bole Ram Ram Koi Khudai..., which means that someone may chant the Hindu name of God and someone may chant the Muslim name of God, but God is the one who made the whole world.

Sayings of Guru Kabir When the blind lead the blind both fall into well! “I am neither in temple or Mosque”

Buddhist center Nalanda sacked by Islamic forces (1196)

Hindu Influence in the Region Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Angkor Thom

Siva statue from Cambodia

Ellora Temple