1. India & Southeast Asia

2. The Vedic Age 1500-500 BCE Aryas vs. Dasas Varna Class Structure =
Brahmin (Priests/Scholars)
Kshatriya (Warriors)
Vaishya (Merchants)
Shudra (Peasant/Laborers)
Untouchables (Demeaning work)
Jati = Subdivision of the 4 main Varna (Caste)
Rules (Jobs, duties, interaction among Jati groups)
Role of Women
Worship via sacrifice
Study, participate in rituals, own property

3. Jainism, Buddhism & Hinduism
Founded by Mahavira BCE
Nonviolence to all living things
Buddhism ( BCE)
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama
The Four Noble Truths / Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
2 Sects = Mahayana (new) & Theravada (old)
Hinduism ‘What the Indians Do’
Reformed Vedic Religion
Devotion to the gods: Vishnu (North) or Shiva (South) & Devi (Goddess)=Creative/Destructive
Pilgrimage to holy sites/shrines
Dominant Regional Religion

4. The Mauryan Empire 324-184 BCE
Formed from Kingdom of Magadha
Strategic Geographic Location
Agricultural & Iron Resources
Mauryan Government
Capital: Pataliputra
Large Army
25% Agricultural Tax
State Monopolies (mines, ships, weapons)
Notable Leaders
Founder: Chandragupta Maurya
Ashoka = Buddhism becomes state religion (Buddhist empire)
Era of Political Fragmentation (500yrs)
Greco-Bactrian influence (NW)
Literary Achievements (Sanskrit)
Merchants became religious patrons
3 Tamil kingdoms = ‘Classical Period’

5. The Gupta Empire 320-550 CE Kingdom of Magadha-Chandra Gupta
Controlled Central & Northern India
Copied Mauryan Govt. Structure
Except: Small military & theatre-state
Gupta Culture
Trade with SE Asia
Literacy / Mathematics Arabic numerals & concept of zero
Women = No right to own land, married younger, sati ritual
Religion = Hinduism /Tolerant
Collapse = Military Spending (Huns)
Southern India Remained Independent
Warrior Kingdoms

6. Southeast Asia 50-600 CE 3 Geographic Zones
Indochina Mainland
Malay Peninsula
Islands
Natural Resources & Agriculture
Fertile soil (geologically active zone)/ Several Growing Seasons
Domestic Animals / Agricultural Products
Swidden agriculture
Migrations
Malay peoples from Southern China
First Major State = Funan
1st thru 6th Century
Mekong Delta (Rice Bowl)