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Chapter 9 State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India 1©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Presentation on theme: "Chapter 9 State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India 1©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved."— Presentation transcript:

1 Chapter 9 State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India 1©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

2 The Mauryan and Gupta Empires 321 B.C.E.-550 C.E. 2 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

3 India Before the Mauryan Dynasty 520 B.C.E., Persian emperor Darius conquers northwest India (Today = Afghanistan & Pakistan) Introduces Persian ruling pattern 327 B.C.E., Alexander of Macedon destroys Persian empire in India Troops mutiny, depart after two years  Political power vacuum 3 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

4 Kingdom of Magadha Most significant remaining kingdom after Alexander’s departure Central Ganges plain Economic strength  Agriculture  Trade in Ganges valley, Bay of Bengal Dominated surrounding regions in northeastern India 4 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

5 Chandragupta Maurya Took advantage of power vacuum left by Alexander Overthrew Magadha rulers Expanded kingdom to create first unified Indian empire  Mauryan dynasty 5 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

6 Chandragupta’s Government Advisor Kautalya Recorded in Arthashastra, manual of political statecraft Foreign policies, economics Domestic policies  Network of spies Legend: Chandragupta retires to become a monk, starves himself to death 6 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

7 The necessary education, drill, and discipline to cultivate militarism were confined to the members of one community, the Ksatriyas. This prevented the militant attitude from spreading to other communities and kept the whole social structure unaffected by actual wars and war institutions. Says the Arthva Veda: "May we revel, living a hundred winters, rich in heroes." The whole country looked upon the members of the ksatriya community as defenders of their country and consequently did not grudge the high influence and power wielded by the Ksatriyas, who were assigned a social rank next in importance to the intellectual and spiritual needs of the society First to unite India: Chandragupta Maurya 320s BCE

8 Ashoka Maurya Grandson of Chandragupta Represents high point of Mauryan empire, r. 268-232 B.C.E. Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south Positive ruler-ship integrated Indian society Much better known as a ruler than conqueror 8 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

9 Siddhartha as a Boddhisatva Ashoka Maurya r. 268-232 BCE High point of Mauryan Empire

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11 "All religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart." Rock Edict Nb7 (S. Dhammika) "Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice." Rock Edict Nb1 (S. Dhammika) "Contact (between religions) is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions.“ Rock Edict Nb12 (S. Dhammika) "One benefits in this world and gains great merit in the next by giving the gift of the Dhamma." Rock Edict Nb11 (S. Dhammika) "Happiness in this world and the next is difficult to obtain without much love for the Dhamma, much self-examination, much respect, much fear (of evil), and much enthusiasm." Pilar Edict Nb1 (S. Dhammika)

12 Spread of Buddhism under Ashoka Maurya 268-232 BCE Decline of Empire? Similar to anywhere else?

13 Decline of the Mauryan Empire Economic crisis follows death of Ashoka High costs of bureaucracy, military not supported by tax revenue Frequent devaluations of currency to pay salaries Regions begin to abandon Mauryan empire  Disappears by 185 B.C.E. 13 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

14 Regional Kingdom: Bactria Northwestern India Ruled by Greek-speaking descendants of Alexander’s campaigns Intense cultural activity accompanies active trade 14 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

15 Regional Kingdom: Kush Northern India/central Asia Ca. 1-300 C.E. Maintained silk road trade network 15 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

16 The Gupta Dynasty Based in Magadha Founded by Chandra Gupta (no relation to Chandragupta Maurya), ca. 320 C.E. Slightly smaller than Mauryan empire Highly decentralized leadership Foundations for studies in natural sciences and mathematics 16 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

17 The Gupta Empire: ~ 320 – 500 CE Chandra Gupta II 375 – 415 CE Decentralized leadership Local states still retain some power

18 Medicine Literature Mathematics Astronomy Printed medicinal guides 1000 diseases classified Plastic Surgery C-sections performed Inoculations 500 healing plants identified Decimal System Concept of Zero PI = 3.1416 Kalidasa Solar Calendar The earth is round Gupta India Gupta Achievements Hindu revival With death of Ashoka: Bhagavad Gita

19 Gupta Decline Frequent invasions of White Huns, fifth century C.E. Gupta dynasty disintegrates along regional fault lines Smaller local kingdoms dominate until Mughal empire founded in sixteenth century 19 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

20 Decline of the Gupta Empire? Invasion of The White Huns ~ 450 CE

21 Economy: Towns and Manufacturing Manufactured goods in big demand Developed in dense network of small workshops Trade intense, capitalizes on trade routes across India 21 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

22 Long-Distance Trade Persian connection since Cyrus, Darius Massive road-building projects under Persian rule Alexander extends trade west to Macedon Trade routes through Kush mountains, the silk roads 22 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

23 spices spices gold & ivory rice & wheat horses cotton goods silks Extensive Trade of the 4 th C CE

24 Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin Seasonal sea trade expands  Spring/winter winds blow from southwest, fall/winter winds blow from northwest Trade from Asia to Persian Gulf and Red Sea, Mediterranean 24 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

25 Society: Gender Relations Patriarchy entrenched Child marriage common (eight-year-old girls married to men in twenties) Women encouraged to remain in private sphere 25 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

26 Social Order Caste system from Aryan times  Brahmins (priests)  Kshatriyas (warriors, aristocrats)  Vaishyas (peasants, merchants)  Shudras (serfs) 26 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

27 Castes and Guilds Increasing economic diversification challenges simplistic caste system Jati formed: guilds that acted as subcastes Enforced social order  “Out-castes” forced into low-status employment 27 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

28 Wealth and the Social Order Upward social mobility possible for vaishyas, shudras Wealth challenges varna for status 28 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

29 Religions of Salvation in Classical India Social change generated resentment of caste privilege  e.g. brahmins free from taxation Sixth-fifth century B.C.E., new religions and philosophies challenge status quo Charvakas: atheists Jainists, Buddhists, Hindus 29 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

30 Jainism Vardhamana Mahavira, 540-468 B.C.E. Abandons privileged family to lead ascetic life Promotes seventh century movement based on Upanishads Emphasis on selfless living, concern for all beings 30 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

31 Ahimsa Principle of extreme nonviolence Jainists sweep earth, strain water, use slow movements to avoid killing insects Ahimsa continues to inspire modern movements (Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr.) 31 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

32 Appeal of Jainism Rejected caste, jati distinctions Obvious appeal to underprivileged groups But asceticism too extreme to become a mass movement 32 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

33 Early Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama, ca. 563-483 B.C.E. Encountered age, sickness, death, then monastic life Abandoned comfortable life to become a monk 33 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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36 Gautama’s Search for Enlightenment Intense meditation, extreme asceticism Forty-nine days of meditation under bo tree to finally achieve enlightenment Attained title of Buddha: “the enlightened one” 36 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

37 The Buddha and His Followers Begins teaching new doctrine ca. 528 B.C.E. Followers owned only robes, food bowls Life of wandering, begging, meditation Establishment of monastic communities 37 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

38 Buddha and His Disciples 38 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

39 Buddhist Doctrine: The Dharma The Four Noble Truths  All life is suffering  There is an end to suffering  Removing desire removes suffering  This may be done through the eight-fold path  Right views, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration 39 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

40 Appeal of Buddhism Less dependence on brahmins for ritual activities No recognition of caste, jati status Philosophy of moderate consumption Public service through lay teaching Use of vernacular, not Sanskrit Monasteries become important institutions in Indian society 40 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

41 A Buddhist Monastery 41 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

42 Ashoka’s Support of Buddhism Personal conversion to Buddhism Saddened after violent war with Kalinga Banned animal sacrifices, mandated vegetarianism in court Material support for Buddhist institutions, missionary activities 42 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

43 Changes in Buddhist Thought Third century B.C.E. to first century C.E.  Buddha considered divine  Institution of boddhisatvas (“saints”)  Charitable donations to monasteries regarded as pious activity 43 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

44 Spread of Mahayana Buddhism Mahayana (“greater vehicle”), newer development  India, China, Japan, Korea, central Asia Hinayana (“lesser vehicle,” also Theravada), earlier version  Ceylon, Burma, Thailand 44 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

45 Nalanda Buddhist monastery Quasi-university: Buddhism, Hindu texts, philosophy, astronomy, medicine Peak at end of Gupta dynasty Helped spread Indian thought  e.g. mathematical number zero 45 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

46 Emergence of Popular Hinduism Composition of epics from older oral traditions  Mahabharata  Ramayana Emphasis on god Vishnu and his incarnations 46 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

47 The Bhagavad Gita “Song of the lord” Centuries of revisions, final form ca. 400 C.E. Dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna during civil war 47 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

48 Hindu Ethics Obedience to religious and moral laws (dharma) Pursuit of economic well-being and honesty (artha) Enjoyment of social, physical, and sexual pleasure (kama) Salvation of the soul (moksha) 48 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

49 Popularity of Hinduism Gradually replaced Buddhism in India Gupta dynastic leaders extend considerable support 49 ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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