1. State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation
Classical India
State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation

2. The Mauryan Empire
Contact with Achaemenid Empire (Darius) introduces Persian administration techniques
Alexander destroys northwestern Indian states
Magadha
Central Ganges plain
Agriculture and trade
Most important state in northeastern India (500 BCE)
Controlled commerce in Ganges valley and trade across Bay of Bengal

3. The Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya
Seizes control of remote regions of Magadha
Works his way toward center, overthrows rulers, consolidates power
Takes control of Punjab and Bactria (area between Afghanistan and Pakistan
Controls all of northern India from the Indus to the Ganges
Kautalya (political advisor) and the Arthashastra
Method of administering the empire, trade and agriculture, taxes, maintaining order, foreign relations, war
Use of spies and prostitutes
Bureaucratic, central administration
Abdicates thrown to become monk-> son takes over-> adds southern India to empire

4. The Mauryan Empire Ashoka Maurya Chandragupta’s grandson
Conqueror- takes control of Kalinga
100,000 killed, 150,000 displaced, countless died on ruined land
Governor- ruled almost all of India
Tightly organized bureaucracy inherited from Chandragupta
Capital at Pataliputra (central administration)
Local subordinates implement policies
Central treasury collects taxes
Inscribed edicts on rocks and pillars to communicate policies
Encouraged Buddhist values
Serve as fair, just, and humane ruler
Expanded economy, government, and agriculture
Built roads and irrigation systems

5. The Mauryan Empire Decline Ashoka dies 232 BCE
Financial and economic difficulties
Extensive army
Large corps of administrative officials
Currency lost value
Mauryan Empire disappears by 185 BCE

6. Bactrian Rule
As Mauryan Empire collapsed, local rulers formed small kingdoms that kept order
Northwestern India falls to Greek conquerors from Bactria
Bactria linked China with Mediterranean basin
Promoted cross-cultural interaction and exchange in northern India
Bactria flourishes

7. Kushan Empire
Nomadic conquerors from central Asia end Indo-Greek rule in Bactria
Kushans rule empire in Northern India and Central Asia from CE
Kanishka (prominent Kushan empire) CE
Rules Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Northern India
Facilitated trade between India and Silk Road regions
Patronized culture
Bactrian artists
Greek paintings and sculptures
Buddhist art

8. The Gupta Empire Center empire at Magadha
Wealth
Dominance of Ganges Valley
Intermediary between regions
Chandra Gupta (not related to Chandragupta Maurya)
Lays foundation for Gupta Empire
Creates alliances with families in Ganges region
Establishes kingdom 320 CE
Successors
Samudra Gupta and Chandra Gupta II
Conquer regional kingdoms
Establish tributary alliances
Deccan Plateau and southern-most part of India out of reach

9. The Gupta Empire Smaller than Mauryan Empire
Left administration and policy-making to regional allies
Brought prosperity and stability to India
Sophisticated studies in math and science
Plastic surgery
Astronomers determine Earth is spherical that rotates on axis
Develop symbol for zero and place-value system= faster, more advanced calculations
Pi=
Length of solar year=
Hindi numerals= “arabic numerals”
University at Nalanda

10. The Gupta Empire Decline Invasions of White Huns
Defense weakens Gupta Empire in resources
White Huns cross Hindu Kush mountains
Regional governors usurp imperial powers
Large, regional kingdoms dominate India between Guptas and Mughals (1500 CE)

11. Economic Development
Agricultural surplus= towns, trade, and further development of the caste system
Provided manufactured products-> pots, textiles, iron tools, jewelry, etc.
Entrepreneurs organize businesses
Market places for trade throughout India (Ganges, roads)
Long-distance trade
Political and military links with outside empires
Roads
Conquest
Hindu Kush Mountains
Gandhara
Silk Roads
Indian Ocean Basin- Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Persian Gulf, Red Sea

12. Social Distinctions Patriarchal families and defined roles Women
Weak-willed, emotional, and devoted to husbands
Child marriage common (betrothed at 8-9 then married at puberty)
Devoted to men and bound to family affairs
Castes
Brahmins, Kshatriyes, Vaishyas, and Shudras
Trade and industry expand Vaishyas
Guilds (regulate prices and provide for families) function as subcastes (jati)- organize courts, discipline members, regulate community affairs
Economic development provides enormous wealth for vaishyas and shudras
Become wealthier and more influential than brahmins and kshatriyas

13. Jainism Vardhamana Mahavira Teachings
Born in Northern India (540 BCE) to kshatriya family
Left home at 30 to seek salvation by escaping the cycle of incarnation
Ascetic life-> gained enlightenment
Abandoned worldly goods
Detachment from the world
Taught to disciples (Jains) who spread his teachings
Teachings
All things possess a soul
Trapped in terrestrial body they experience suffering
Purification from selfish behavior, release souls, shed burdens of karma accumulated during incarnation, and attain bliss

14. Jainism Ethics Appeal Influences Buddhism and Hinduism
Ahimsa- nonviolence to other living things or their souls
Difficult to observe strictly- impractical
Appeal
Recognition of souls in all things and rejection of harming them= social distinctions not recognized
Popular among lower castes
Influences Buddhism and Hinduism

15. Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama (563 BCE) Three Sufferings
Kshatriya family in Himalayas
Pampered, sheltered life, no misery
Three Sufferings
Age
Sickness
Death
Decided to live as an ascetic
Search for Enlightenment
Abandons position, family, and inheritance
Hermit
Meditation
Temptations
Understands suffering and how to eliminate it
Becomes the Buddha- “the enlightened one”

16. Buddhism The Dharma- the basic doctrine shared by Buddhists
The Four Noble Truths
Suffering is present in all things
Desire causes suffering
Eliminating desire ends suffering
To eliminate desire you must follow the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path
Right Belief- understanding the Four Noble Truths
Right Resolve- live a selfless, nonviolent life
Right Speech- Be careful and truthful in what you say
Right Behavior- Do not steal, kill, or lie
Right Occupation- Do not take a job that harms others
Right Effort- Promote good actions and deter evil actions
Right Contemplation- Be aware of but not attached to your emotions
Right Meditation- Focus your mind with meditation

17. Buddhism The Dharma Appeal
Ultimate goal= detachment from the world itself
Salvation= escape from the cycle of incarnation and attainment of nirvana- a state of perfect spiritual independence
Appeal
Do not recognize social distinctions
Appeals to members of lower castes
Does not require extreme lifestyle of Jains
Buddhists subscribe to vernacular languages rather than Sanskrit
Buddhist monasteries influential
Ashoka
Buddhism could lend support and unity to his realm
Banned animal sacrifices
Gave up hunting
Eliminated most meat dishes
Granted land to Buddhists
Sent missionaries
Attracted people from Central, East, and Southeast Asia

18. Hinduism Mahabharata Ramayana Bhagavad Gita Ethics
Bloody civil war for control of Northern India
Ramayana
Love and adventure story of Prince Rama and his loyal wife, Sita
Bhagavad Gita
Expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation
Ethics
Salvation can be attained by those who fulfill their caste roles and participate actively in the world
Do not strive for material reward or recognition

19. Hinduism Four Principal Aims of Human Life Appeal
Dharma- obedience to religious and moral laws
Artha- pursuit of economic well-being and honest prosperity
Kama- enjoyment of social, physical, and sexual pleasure
Moksha- salvation of the soul
Appeal
Guptas gave land grants to Hindus
Dominant religious and cultural tradition