2. The Vedic Age 1500-500 BCEThe Vedic Age 1500-500 BCE  Aryas v.Dasas  Varna Class Structure = 1.Brahmin (Priests/Scholars) 2.Kshatriya (Warriors) 3.Vaishya (Merchants) 4.Shudra (Peasant/Laborers) 5.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 & HinduismJainism, Buddhism & Hinduism  Jainism  Founded by Mahavira 540- 468BCE  Nonviolence to all living things  Buddhism (563-483 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 BCEThe Mauryan Empire 324-184 BCE  Formed from Kingdom of Magadha  Strategic Geographic Location  Agricultural & Iron Resources  Mauryan Government  Capitol: Pataliputra  Large Army  25% Agricultural Tax  State Monopolies (mines, ships, weapons)  Notable Leaders  Founder: Chandragupta Maurya  Ashoka = Buddhism becomes state religion (Buddhist empire!)  Era (500 yrs) of Political Fragmentation  Greco-Bactrian influence (NW)  Literary Achievements (Sanskrit)  Merchants became religious patrons  3 Tamil kingdoms = ‘Classical Period’

5. The Gupta Empire 320-550 CEThe Gupta Empire 320-550 CE  Kingdom of Magadha-Chandra Gupta  Controlled Central & Northern India  Copied Mauryan Govt. Structure  Except: Weak military & theatre-state  Gupta Culture  Trade with SE Asia  Literacy / Mathematics Arabic numerals & concept of zero  Women = No right to own land, treated like Shudra, married young, social status determined treatment  Religion = Hinduism / Tolerant  Collapse = Military Spending (Huns)  Southern India Remained Independent  Warrior Kingdoms (Pallavas & Cholas)

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