1. Classical India

2. Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Political Centralization
The Mauryan Empire ( B.C.E.)
Under Chandragupta Maurya & Ashoka Maurya
- Arthashastra
- built roads, collected taxes,
displayed Rock and Pillar Edicts
- size of bureaucracy led to the
fall of the empire

3. Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Political Centralization

4. Critical Thinking Which specific caste may have taken issue with certain policies of Ashoka? Explain your reasoning.

5. Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Political De-centralization
The Gupta Empire ( C.E.)
Under Chandra Gupta
- leaves local government and administration to regional leaders
- invasions by the nomadic White Huns & the usurping of power by regional leaders causes downfall.

6. PART 1 – Questions for Analysis 1
PART 1 – Questions for Analysis 1. Compare and contrast the Gupta and Mauryan Empires politically. What factors account for the fact that large centralized empires did not “take hold” in India as they did in other parts of the classical world?

7. PART 2 – Making Connections b. the White Huns & the Yellow Turbans

8. Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Economics
Agricultural basis
- Ashoka built irrigation canals
Manufactured goods
Cotton, spices, & gems
Long-distance and maritime trade
- monsoon system facilitates trade

9. The Bactrian Camel

10. PART 2 – Making Connections a. jatis & the Silk Roads

11. Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Religion in India
Hinduism
- Aryans recognize 4 main castes
- practices of early Brahmins
The Bhagavad Gita
Dharma, Samsara, & Moksha

12. Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Religion in India
Buddhism
- The Four Noble Truths
- The Eightfold Path - dharma
The Turning of the Wheel of Law
Nirvana is ultimate goal
does not recognize class distinctions

13. Ch.9 – State and Society in India

14. The Spread of Buddhism

15. Representations of the Buddha – Image #1

16. Footprints of the Buddha

17. The Swastika
su = good  asti = to be and ka  = making

18. Image #2

19. Classical India Critical Thinking Question
2. Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all emerged in India during this period. How did each one appeal to certain groups of people? Identify specific aspects of each faith that were attractive to those groups.

20. Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Social Structure in India
The Caste System stratifies society
- places males at top as priests
Jati or subcastes are created
Heavily patriarchal
Reinforced by literature
- Mahabharata & Ramayana