1. India and the Indian Ocean Basin
Chapter 15

2. I: Islamic and Hindu Kingdoms
Post-Gupta: regional kingdoms – no Post-Classic empire
North: competing states with periodic invasions by nomads (some integrated into caste system)
Attempts were made to unify, but unsuccessful
(Harsha – Buddhist, hospitals,
patron of scholars)

3. I: The Introduction of Islam to N. India
Several process:
Military: 711, Muslims conquered Sind -> Umayyid province -> Abbasid province (but only in name)
Most remained Buddhist or Hindu; lots of fighting between Arab admin. and local elites

4. I: The Introduction of Islam to N. India
Merchants: Persian and Arab, small communities along coasts, married local women => more effective
Migration/invasion: 10th century, Turkish nomadic Muslims (migrated all over), founded state in Afghanistan (under Mahmud);
raided N. India (didn’t rule,
plundered and built mosques)

5. I: The Sultanate of Delhi
Late 12th century: Mahmud’s successors wanted to conquer N. India under Islamic rule
: Delhi Sultanate
Powerful army
Mosques, shrines, fortresses
Patrons of the arts and literature
Destroyed Hindu temples and charged jizya
Couldn’t spread into S, no permanent bureaucracy, some converted

6. I: The Hindu Kingdoms of S. India
Politically divided, but much less war and invasions
The Chola Kingdom: – semi-unified,
built on trade profits,
strong navy,
not tightly centralized (local
autonomy in exchange for order
and tax revenues)
Decline: revolts -> back to small states

7. I: The Hindu Kingdoms of S. India
Kingdom of Vijayanagar: – dominated much of south
Southern India: no strong centralized political entities, but coherent and distinctive society (trade-based, common social structures and cultural traditions)

8. II: Production and trade in the Indian Ocean Basin
Similar trends as in Islamic Empire and China
Increasing agricultural productivity
> increase in trade and manufacturing
> economic development, regional links, LD links

9. II: Agriculture in the Monsoon World
Due to seasons, irrigation required during dry months
In North: irrigation had been used since Harappan
In South: drier, with few rivers = with increasing population, increased need for irrigation
Built dams, reservoirs, canals, wells, tunnels; some large-scale and required lots of labor
Population increase ->
urbanization (capitals,
ports, trading centers)

10. II: Trade and the Economic Development of Southern India
Internal trade: most regions were self-sufficient in staple foods
Not in other resources (metal, spices, specialized crops) -> regional specialization
-> many areas benefitted from internal trade

11. II: Trade and the Economic Development of Southern India
Temples served as economic and social centers
organized agricultural activities, irrigation, surplus,
provided education,
owned land, employed many,
collected taxes for political authorities,
acted as bankers (loans , investments)

12. II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin
Increases in volume and value with larger ships and improved commercial organization
Ships: dhows (Indian, Persian, Arab sailors) and junks (Chinese and SE Asian sailors)
Used monsoon winds

13. II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin
Emporia = trading centers – common in India and Arabia (= central locations)
= cosmopolitan cities with people of various religions and ethnicities living and working together
Emporia + sea lanes = maritime silk road (transportation,
communication, and
exchange)
Increased with Abbasids
and Tang/Song

14. II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin
Increasing specialization in commodity production:
India: fine cotton textiles (required more agri. and artisans), sugar, leather, carpet weaving, etc.
China: silk, porcelain, lacquerware
SE Asia: fine spices
SW Asia: incense, horses, dates
E. Africa: gold, ivory, slaves
Specialization influenced economic and social structure

15. II: Cross-Cultural Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin
Trade also supported political development
The Kingdom of Axum: N. Ethopia, Christian
traded in Red Sea, acted as go-between for southern Africa and Egypt
7th-8th centuries: unconquered by Arabs; maintained commercial ties to India and SE Asia and Muslim neighbors

16. II: Caste and Society
Caste system was adaptable to changes (migrations, Islam, economic development, urbanization)
Became more complex (esp. as merchant and manufacturing jatis developed) and helped maintain order in local communities (through Hindu temples)
Established codes of conduct
within and between castes and
helped form group identities
Spread to southern India

17. III: The Meeting of Hindu and Islamic Traditions
Jains and Buddhists decreased in numbers (but, Buddhism flourished in E., C., and SE Asia)
Hinduism dominated the south and Islam dominated the north (very different)
Why? Turks destroyed
Buddhist monasteries
and stuppas (killed or
exiled monks)

18. III: The Development of Hinduism
Growth of devotional cults to Vishnu or Shiva
Vishnu – preserver of the world
Shiva – god of fertility, the destroyer
Esp. popular in the south: promised salvation through offerings, meditation, building temples and shrines to gods
Hinduism also influenced
philosophy

19. III: Islam and its Appeal
Spread mostly through merchant communities and via sufis (personal, emotional approach)
Many converted, especially those in lower castes
The Bhakti movement: cult of love and devotion that tried to merge Hinduism and Islam -> not really very successful

20. IV: The Influence of Indian Society in Southeast Asia
India had political and cultural impact on S and SE Asia via merchant trading communities
rulers used profits from spice trade to build and consolidate power
Borrowed elements from India: kingship with courts and rituals, Hinduism and/or Buddhism, Indian lit.
But, not the caste system and maintained native religions

21. IV: The States of Southeast Asia
For example: Funan: kingdom in Mekong delta,
Adopted Indian political, cultural, and religious traditions: “raja”, divine sanction, admin. and bureaucrats, sanskrit for official business, ceremonies and rituals, Hindu deities
For example: Angkor: kingdom in Cambodia
Hinduism, with later shift toward Buddhism
Capital = Angkor Thom

22. IV: The Arrival of Islam
10th century: Muslim merchants from Arabia, Persia, and India
First, port cities and later, rulers, traders, and others converted
Elite converts often continued to honor Hindu, Buddhist, and native traditions
Islam helped rulers deal with merchants and gain divine sanction

23. IV: The Arrival of Islam
Kingdom of Melaka, 15th century
Excellent location to control trade
Navy protected sea lanes and forced ships to call at port and pay taxes
Sponsored missionaries to spread Islam throughout SE Asia