1. Classical India

2. Geography of India
India much closer to other civilizations- trade with Middle East and later with China
* Topography- Himalayas in the north separated it from the rest of Asia
Most important agricultural regions- Ganges and Indus rivers
Divisions within the subcontinent made full unity difficult
Summer brings monsoon rains, crucial for farming- but monsoon unreliable

3. Vedic and Epic ages (c. 1500- 1000 BCE)
Aryans (Indo-European) migrants- hunting and herding peoples originally from central Asia
Vedas- sacred books of the Aryans
o  Rig-Veda hymns dedicated to the Aryan gods
o  Mahabharata- India’s greatest epic poem
o  Ramayana
o  Upanishads- epic poems with a more mystical religious flavor
Encouraged tight levels of village organization
Indian caste system takes shape- partly because Aryan invaders saw indigenous people as inferior

4. Mauryan Dynasty BCE
322 BCE soldier named Chandragupta Maurya seized power along the Ganges River (in reaction to Alexander the Great pushing in)
Maintained large armies with elephants and chariots and cavalry
Created a substantial bureaucracy (postal service)
Divided territory into provinces and appointed leaders
25% tax on agriculture to pay for gov. works
Paid spies to ensure loyalty
Autocratic style of government- relying on ruler’s personal and military power
Established an imperial government similar to Han China

6. Ashoka BCE
Chandragupta’s grandson extended Mauryan control; converted to Buddhism and spread Buddhism throughout much of India; improved trade and communication by building roads
After Ashoka the empire began to fall apart and regional kingdoms surfaced again
Kushans- invaders who took over for a brief period until 220 CE

7. Indian Stupa

8. Gupta 320-mid-500s
Starting in 320 CE (after period of instability) new large empire
Ruled using a series of alliances (vassal states)= Decentralized
Claimed authority through connection with Mauryan dynasty
Great impact- expanded influence without constant fighting; greatest period of political stability
Overturned in 535 CE by the White Huns

10. Political Institutions
Strong regionalism, which meant that even great empires had a weak foundation
Political culture not elaborate- no formal political theory and few institutions or values that carried over
Caste rules, interpreted by priests, regulated many social relationships and work roles
o  Divided from five classes to over 300
o  Stronger hereditary principles
o  Allowed India’s people to live together without perpetual conflict
o  Because of the loyalty to these rules, no state could command similar loyalty
Religion was the cement !!

11. Hinduism Origins in the Vedic and Epic Ages
No founder, no central figure so it unfolded gradually
Encouraged economic and political goals
Very tolerant
Upanishads- stressed the shallowness of worldly concerns
Provided several channels for the good life
Supplied some unity
Allowed people to hold on to some older rituals

12. Buddhism C. 563 BCE Siddhartha Gautama was born
Argued for the individual and went against the caste system and the priests
Wasn’t able to hold a strong portion of India ultimately

13. Other Cultural Developments
Indian thinkers wrote actively about human life
Important work in math and science
Vast university center (Guptas)
Strides in astronomy and medicine
Numbering system is the one we use today
Concept of zero and negative numbers
Lively art including stupas- shrines to Buddha

14. Economy Economy became vigorous- rivaling China
New uses for chemistry- steel the best in the world
Emphasis on trade and merchant activity far greater than in China where merchants enjoyed relatively high caste status and flexibility
Indian Ocean trade still dependent on Monsoon winds
Technological developments: dhow, lateen sails
Exported cotton, textiles, salt, iron, spices
Standardized currency
Despite active trade, it remained agricultural at its base

15. Society
Caste system
Family life also emphasized the them of hierarchy and tight organization
Dominance of husbands and fathers
Arranged marriages
Women, however, were celebrated in stories and theory was much harsher than practice

16. Influence of Classical India
Indian ocean dominated by Indian merchants
India had considerable political influence
Many Indian merchants married into wealthy royal families in SE Asia
Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism