Transcript Ch. 6 PP
The Vedic Age • Indo-European warriors migrated into India • After 1000 b.c.e. some of them began to push into the Ganges Valley, using new iron tools to cut down trees and cultivate the land • The oral tradition of these light-skinned Arya tribes tells of a violent struggle between themselves and the darker-skinned Dravidian-speaking Dasas, whom they evidently pushed into southern India. Caste System • • • • • (1) Brahmin (priests/scholars) (2) Kshatriya (warriors) (3) Vaishya (merchants) (4) Shudra (peasant/laborer) A fifth group, Untouchables Religion • The systems of varna and jati were rationalized by belief in reincarnation • According to this belief, each individual has an immortal spirit (atman) that will be reborn in another body after death. • One’s station in the next life depends on one’s actions (karma) in this and previous lives. Women • We do not know much about the status or roles of women in the Vedic period • They could study lore and participate in rituals, they could own land, and they married in their middle or late teens. Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism • His title, “Buddha,” means “Enlightened One.” • Alienated by both the extremes of a wealthy youth and six years of asceticism, Siddhartha Gautama set forth his teaching of the “Four Noble Truths” and of the Eightfold Path that would lead the individual to enlightenment. The Buddha's Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE Unified northern India. Well Organized Government Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement. He feared assassination [like Saddam Hussein] food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. The Maurya Empire 321 BCE – 185 BCE Asoka (304 – 232 BCE) Religious conversion Dedicated his life to Buddhism Built extensive roads Conflict how to balance power and Buddha’s demands to become a selfless person? Asoka’ s Empir e Asoka’s law code Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek 10 rock edicts Each pillar [stupa] is 40’-50’ high Buddhist principles dominate his laws • • Ashoka's column The best preserved of the pillars that King Ashoka erected in about 240 B.C.E. is this one in the Bihar region, near Nepal. The solid shaft of polished sandstone rises 32 feet in the air. It weighs about 50 tons, making its erection a remarkable feat of engineering. Like other Ashokan pillars, it is inscribed with accounts of Ashoka's political achievements and instructions to his subjects on proper behavior. These pillars are the earliest extant examples of Indian writing and a major historical source for the Mauryan period. (Borromeo/Art Resource, NY One of Asoka’ sStup as Turmoil & a power Vacuum: 220 BCE – 320 CE The Maurya Empire is divided into many kingdoms. Gupta Empire: CE 320 CE – 647 Gupta Rulers Chandra Gupta I 320 – 335 CE “Great King of Kings” Chandra Gupta II 375 - 415 CE Profitable trade with the Mediterranean world! Hindu revival Huns invade – 450 CE Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta India Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the Silk Road and visited India in the 5c He was following the path of the Buddha He reported the people to be happy, relatively free of government oppression, and inclined towards courtesy and charity. Other references in the journal, however, indicate that the caste system was rapidly assuming its basic features, including "untouchability," the social isolation of a lowest class that is doomed to menial labor International Trade Routes during the Guptas Extensive Trade: 4c spices gold & ivory Gupta Art Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture. 500 healing plants identified 1000 diseases classified Printed medicinal guides Plastic Surgery Gupta Achievements Kalidasa Literature Medicine Inoculations Gupta India C-sections performed Decimal System Mathematics Concept of Zero PI = 3.1416 Solar Calendar Astronomy The earth is round The Decline of the Guptas Invasion of the Huns in the 4c signaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even though at first, the Guptas defeated them After the decline of the Gupta empire, north India broke into a number of separate Hindu kingdoms and was not really unified again until the coming of the Muslims in the 7c