1. World History: The Earth and its Peoples
Chapter 6
India and Southeast Asia,
1500 B.C.E C.E.

2. Objectives
Explain the historical forces that led to the development of the complex social groupings in ancient India.
Identify why Indian civilization developed religious traditions with such distinctive conceptions and explain how these beliefs shaped nearly every aspect of South Asian culture.
Explain how the Mauryan and Gupta Empires succeeded in unifying much of India.
Explain how a number of Southeast Asian states became wealthy and powerful by exploiting their position on the trade routes between China and India.

3. Foundations of Indian Civilization
Diversity
political and class divisions
language and ethnic groups
multiple gods
Geography
mtns, basins, plateaus
monsoon (seasonal wind)
three harvests annually
trade winds

4. The Vedic Age, 1500-500 B.C.E. Vedas Indo-European speakers
sacred religious literature
Indo-European speakers
Aryans
light-skinned
Dasas
dark-skinned Dravidians
varna - “color”
social order between groups
connected to reincarnation
you are where you are supposed to be
atman
jati
birth groups; occupation

5. The Vedic Age karma sacrifice Brahmins Rig Veda Women
good and bad deeds
sacrifice
invigorate gods; promote stability
Brahmins
technology of sacrifice
Rig Veda
poetic hymns to deities and sacred practices
Women
learning opportunities
own property

6. Jainism and Buddhism Moksha - “liberation” Upanishads Jainism
release from cycle of reincarnation
Upanishads
teacher / student dialogues
question Vedic foundations
Jainism
Mahavira
nonviolence, asceticism, nudity

7. Jainism and Buddhism Buddha Mahayana Buddhism Theravada Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama
Four Noble Truths
life is suffering caused by desire
celibacy, nonviolence, poverty
nirvana
ultimate spiritual reward
Mahayana Buddhism
“Great Vehicle”
Theravada Buddhism
original teachings

8. The Rise of Hinduism Hinduism Primary Deities Divine Favor
religious diffusion
Vedic and Buddhist practices
female deities; fertility
Primary Deities
Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna
family devotion to one god
single divine force in universe
Divine Favor
sacred truths, discipline, devotion
Ganges
pilgrimage - broad Hindu identity
Absorption of Buddhism

9. Imperial Expansion and Collapse
Political Fragmentation
geography; economic activity
social hierarchy; culture
Mauryan Empire BCE
1st centralized empire
Magadha kingdom
Chandragupta Maurya
Alexander’s death
Kautilya
Arthashastra
Pataliputra
walled, moated capital
Asoka
Kalinga conversion

10. Commerce and Culture Mauryan Collapse Literature small principalities
strong economic activity
rise of guilds
Literature
Mahabarata
war between cousins
Ramayana
love story w/ prince - princess
Bhagavad-Gita
duty to society and one’s soul
teacher / student dialogue
Krishna / Arjuna
Tamil kingdoms
‘classical’ period in literature

11. The Gupta Empire Gupta Empire - 320-550 CE Chandra Gupta (Hindu)
revenue source: 25% ag tax
powerful national army
theater-state
advertisement of benefits of
association with the empire
Intellectual support
zero; ‘Arabic’ numerals
women
decline in status (urbanization)
loss of property rights
early marriage
sati - funeral pyre

12. The Gupta Empire Trade Attack
from Rome to SE Asia
cotton, ivory, metalwork
Attack
Huns from steppes
550 CE
fragmentation until Islamic invasions (11th-12th cen)
Deccan Plateau independent

13. Southeast Asia Cultural Crossroads Geography Agriculture
trade between China and India
Geography
geographically active
Pacific Ring of Fire
volcanic soil
tropical climate
monsoon rains
rain forests
Agriculture
swidden
tropical growth
rice, bananas, cane, yams
chickens and pigs

14. Southeast Asia Malay Peoples State Building - early C.E.
Chinese migration 3000 BCE
navigational skills 1000 BCE
monsoon winds, bird life
wind and clouds patterns
riverbanks / volcanic plains
numerous natural resources
State Building - early C.E.
commerce
silk and spices
Hindu/Buddhist culture
Indian merchants and sailors

15. Southeast Asia Funan Srivjayan Kingdom - 6th to 11th
1st to 6th centuries C.E.
1st major SE Asia center
Isthmus of Kra
key trade route China / India
shift in trade routes
silk worm monopoly
Srivjayan Kingdom - 6th to 11th
southern tip of Malay Peninsula
regional alliances
vital shipping passageways
theater-state
Borobodur
Buddhist monument
king as bodhisattva
Indian cultural influence

16. Borobodur Buddhist Temple, Java

17. Borobodur Buddhist Temple, Java

18. Doc 7
Seneca is an upper-class Roman whose attitude
reflects the Roman belief that although innovation comes
from those with a sharp mind, this does not signify inventors being great
people.
Doc 8
Frontious reveals the belief that Romans are a superior people because
Their innovations (aqueducts) have revolutionized city life
and made Rome far more advanced than previous civilizations.

19. Based on the documents,
What do you believe are Roman attitudes towards Technology?
What do you believe are Han attitudes towards Technology?

20. Given the attitudes for each empire, what could be a relevant
Argument that would be supported by your docs?
Groupings
2, 3, 4, 6, 8 benefits of access to technology
1,2, 8 governments responsibility
5, 7 both comment on Roman disgust with those utilize technology
4, 6, 8 revel in the achievments of technology

21. Sample thesis:
Although the Han and Roman civilizations experienced
growth and success through technology, their respective attitudes
Toward technology varied. (possible thesis) Whereas the Han Empire
Seemed more concerned with how technology could aid their citizens the
Romans seemed to frown upon those who utilized technology while
reveling in the technological achievements of their civilization. Both civilizations show these attitudes towards technology through technological accessibility to citizens, the extent to which the government should use technology to improve subjects lives and whom in each society should receive praise for these advancements.