Transcript HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE PUNJABx

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE
PUNJAB
BA-II SEMESTER
1. The Mauryan Empire : Social, Economic and
Religious Life
At the time of Alexander’s invasion of the Punjab, a powerful empire
ruled by a Nanda King was flourishing in the Gangetic plains. A young
Indian prince Sandrocottas, with the help and guidance of a great
statesman named Chanakya, overthrew the Nanda ruler and
occupied the throne of Magadh. This Sandrocottas was Chandragupta
Maurya.
From Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Megasthenese’s Indica, the
accounts left by the Greek historians and the edicts and pillar
inscriptions of Ashoka, we get a picture of society in the Mauryan
times. Besides, Buddhist religious books, works of contemporary art
and architecture also throw valuable light on Social, economic and
religious life under Mughals.
SOCIAL LIFE
• Changing Social Trends in Punjab.
• Caste System
• Slavery
• Position of Women
• Food
• Dress
• Amusements
• Ashram System
• Literature and Education
ECONOMIC LIFE
• Economic prosperity of Punjab
• Agriculture
•Cattle rearing
• Industry
• Trade
• Crafts and Artisans
RELIGIOUS LIFE
• Brahmanism
• Shaivism
• Vaishnavism
• Jainism
• Buddhism
• Ajivikas
• Philosophy and religious toleration
2. Buddhism and Jainism: Impact on Punjab
with Special reference to 4th Buddhist Council
The sixth century B.C. witnessed a great religious ferment in the
world. Buddhism and Jainism were the Hindu reform movements.
They protested against the evils of the Hinduism and wanted to bring
simplicity in the religion. Both religions believed in Non-violence ,
Karma and Nirvana or Moksha. Both show a kind of pessimism- a
convicton that human life is full of misery. Buddhism and Jainism
opposed the vedic sacrifices and rituals.
Various factors contributed to the rise of Buddhism and Jainism.
The vedic religion lost its original purity and had degenerated into
cumbrous and meaningless rituals. The priestly class dominated the
religion. Mahatma Buddha and Vardhman Mahavira voiced against all
religious evils and put forward simple and practical teachings.
BUDDHISM
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Gautam Buddha, also known as Siddhartha, the founder of
Buddhism, was born at Lumbini in 567 B.C. He was the only son of
Suddhodhan. His mother’s name was Maya. He had a stepmother
who brought him up, her name was Gautami.
Childhood and marriage
Four scenes
The Great Renunciation
Enlightenment
TEACHINGS
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Four Noble Truths
Eight-fold Noble Path or Ashtamarga.
Middle path
Nirvana
Karma
•Ethical code or morality
•Silent about the existence of God
•No faith in Yajnas, Sacrifices and rituals
•Opposed to Caste System
•No faith in sanctity of the Vedas and Sanskrit language
•No belief in doing Penance and Fasting
JAINISM
The followers of Jainism believe that there were twenty four
Tirthankars. The first Tirthankar was Rishabha and there is nomention of
next twenty one Tirthankars. The twenty one Tirthankar was
Parsvanatha and twenty-fourth was Mahavira. Mahavira is considered to
be the real founder of Jainism. He was born at Vaishali . The original
name of Mahavira was Vardhaman. His Father’s name was Siddhartha.
His mother Trishala was the sisiter of Lichchhavi prince Chetaka.
TEACHINGS
• Nirvana
• Tri-Ratna( three fold path)
• Ahimsa
• Hard Penance
• Five Mahavratas (five vows)
• Karma and trnsmigration of soul
• Stages of Knowledges
• Negation of God
• Nivriti marg
• Freedom to women
• Belief in soul power
• Condemned Caste System
• No belief in Yajans and Rituals
• No faith in the sanctity of the Vedas and Sanskrit language
CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE FOURTH BUDDHIST
COUNCIL
• Three Buddhist Councils
•The division between the Southern and Northern Boddhis
•To ease the rules regarding monks
•New Buddhist Literature
•Mahasangghikas in Andhra
•Adoption of Buddhism by Kanishka
SIGNIFICANCE
•Beginning of a new epoch
•Unity in Buddhism
•Sanskrit replaced Pali
•Mahayanism, the new sect
3. The Kushanas : Impact of Kanishka’s rule on
Punjab
The Kushanas were a Turkish nomadic tribe of shepherds called the
Yue-chi or the Yakshas by the Chinese historians. The first Kushana
King in the North-west was Kujula Kadphises or Kadphises-I. Kujula
was succeeded by his son Wima Kadphises whi conquered the Punjab
by defeating the Saka Satraps of Taxila
Kanishka was the most famous and the greatest ruler of the
Kushan dynasty. Accoding to R.S. Tripathi, Kanishka was a cpable
general like Chandragupta Maurya. When he came to the throne, he
was the master of Bactria, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Punjab and
Sindh.
IMPACT OF KANISHKA’S RULE ON PUNJAB
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Punjab ruled beyond its border
Kanishka’s rule provided peace and order to Punjab
Decentralisation of Powers
Introduction of Cavalry in Army
Spread of Buddhism
Development of Art and Architecture
Progress in the field of literature
Development of trade
Impact on Dress
4. Gandhara School of Art: Salient Features
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A distinctive style of Art
The Gandhara Art had influence of Greek Art
The theme and subject was Indian
The Gandhara Art was a passing phase of Indian Art
A lively commentary of the life of Buddha
Realistic manner in shaping human body
Idols with Art and Ornaments
Gandhara art wth rich caring
Elements of Greek Art
The greeco-Roman architectural impact on Stupa structure
5. The Guptas : Cultural and Scientific
Developments
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
 SOCIAL LIFE
• Joint Family System
• Caste System
• Ashram System
• Slavery
• Position of Women
• General Character of the people
• Dress and Ornaments
• Foods and Drinks
• Amusements
• Marriage
ARCHITECTURE
• Temple building
• Buddhist buildings
• Cave Architecture
 SCULPTURE
• The Buddha Boddhisatva Images
• Hindu Sculpture
 PAINTING
• Terracotta
 EDUCATION
 LITERATURE
 PHILOSOPHY
 RELIGION
SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENTS
 Mathematics
 Astronomy
 Astrology
 Medical Science
 Metallurgy and Coins
6.Position of Women : Under the Mauryas, the
Guptas and the Vardhanas
POSITION OF WOMEN UNDER MAURYAS
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Considerable freedom was permitted to women
Right to education
Institution of Marriage
Remarriage and divorce
Purdah System
Secret and Security services for Women
Right to property
Sati System
The institutuion of Prostitution
POSITION OF WOMEN UNDER GUPTAS
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Right to freedom
Women education
Share in Administration
The beauty of Women was praised
The institution of marriage
Widow Marriage
Lower age of girl marriage
Right to property
The custom of Sati
Practice of Niyoga
POSITION OF WOMEN UNDER VARDHANAS
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The birth of a girl a source of sorrow
Female Education
Institution of Marriage
Age of Marriage
Inter-Caste Marriages
Remarriage of Widows
The System of Dowry
The Purdah System
The custom of Sati
7. Depiction of Punjab in the accounts of
Chinese travellers Fahien and Hieun-Tsang
FAHIEN’S ACCOUNT
 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE
REIGN OF Chandragupta II
• Splendour of Patliputra
• Certain localities unprosperous
 RELIGIOUS CONDITION
HIEUN TSANG’S ACCOUNT
 Description of King’s personality
 Description of Harsha’s administration
 Land Settlement
 Judicial System
 Descriiption of Kanauj and Prayag
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITION
• Society
• Dress and cleanliness
• Food
• Caste System
• Postion of Women
• High Moral Standards
 RELIGION AND EDUCATION
• Harsha’s religious tolerance
• Nalanda University
8. Main Developments in Literature
THE VEDIC LITERATURE
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The Rigveda
The Samaveda
The Yajurveda
The Atharveda
The Brahmanas
The Aranyakas
The Upnishads
The Vedangas
The Sutras
Ramayana and Mahabharata
The Bhagvad Gita
Puranas and Smritis
DEVELOPMENT OF LITERATURE DURING KUSHANA PERIOD
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Buddha Charita
Saundarananda Kavya
Sriputra- prakarma
Shradhopada
Vajrasuchi
Gandistrotragatha
Mahamadhyka
Mahavibhasha
Charak Samhita
LITERATURE IN GUPTA PERIOD
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Yogachari Bhuma Shastra
Mahayanasamparigraha
Mahayanasutra
Abhi-dharma Kosha
Vijnapti-matrata
LITERATURE IN THE VARDHANA AGE
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Kadambri
Harshacharitra
Chandishataka
Mukatadikita
Mayurshataka
Tattava-samdesha-shastra
Priyadarshika
Nagananda
Suprabhatastitra
Ashtamahesari-chichitya-stotra
Linganushasna
Brahmasiddhanta
Khanda-khadyka
9. Education : Significant Developments :
Taxila
• System of education- Every learned teacher assisted by his
senior pupils was an institution by himself. The teacher
admitted as many students as he liked.
• Subjects of study- The Vedas, grammar, philosophy, eighteen
shilpas or crafts were the principal subjects selected for
specialisation. Among the shilpas were included medicine,
surgery, archery, astronomy, astrology, commerce, agriculture,
magic,dance and painting.
• Decay of the University
• Fame of the Taxila University
10. Society on the eve of Turkish invasion on
Punjab
SOCIAL LIFE
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Rigid Society
Rituals and Superstitions
Caste system
Position of Women
The Matrimonial System
Food and Drinks
Dress and Ornaments
Amusements
Social Convention
ECONOMIC LIFE
• Agriculture
• Industries
• Trade and Commerce
RELIGIOUS LIFE
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Religious beliefs and practices
Buddhism
Jainism
Zoroastrianism
Hinduism
The tradition of the Siddhas.
11. Punjab in the Kitab-ul-Hind of Alberuni
POLITICAL CONDITION
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Kushanas and Kanishkas
Sakas and Vikramaditya
Different Calenders
The Ghaznavid Turks
Hindushahis
Annexation of Punjab with Ghaznavid Empire
SOCIAL CONDITION
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Superiority Complex and no link with the outer world
Broad mindedness
Decline due to Neo-Bramanism
Hindu behaviour towards Muslims
Institution of Varna or Caste System
RELIGIOUS CONDITION
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Nature of God
Worship of different Gods
Idolatory
Hindu Scriptures
Sufism
Decline of Buddhism
Pilgrimage
Fasting
Astronomy and Astrology