Transcript Classical India and Hinduism

Classical India and Hinduism
11/2
•Explain development
and central beliefs of Hinduism
•Illustrate central beliefs
on a Mandala
•Describe characteristics
of classical Indian empires
As the Indus
River Valley
civilizations
declined,
new
civilizations
formed along
the Ganges
River
Indus R.
Ganges
River
Aryans, an IndoEuropean people, had
migrated
into India blending
Aryan beliefs with the
beliefs of the Indians
(Dravidians).
These Aryan beliefs
were hymns. They
were later written down
and called the Vedas.
They became the
foundation of
Hinduism.
Aryan Migration
The Caste System
The Aryans sought to separate themselves from the
darker skinned Indians (Dravidians). A structured
society developed known as the Caste System.
The Caste system
was rigid.
It influenced all social Aryan Varnas
interactions including
marriage
arrangements and
occupations.
Dravidians
Social classes were
divided by
occupation.
Brahmin
The Caste system
was rooted in
Hinduism. Each
Varna represents a
body part of the
god, Purusha, from
the Vedas and each
Varna represents
occupations in
society.
Kshatriya
Vaisya
Sudra
Can you identify
which Varna is
which?
Hinduism
•India’s religion
developed from the
blended beliefs of the
Aryans and Dravidians.
•No founder
•Belief in many forms of
one god, Brahma, the
Creator.
Brahma
Vishnu the Preserver
Shiva the
Destroyer
Hinduism:
Monotheistic or
Polytheistic?
Talk to your
neighbor
Indra
Hinduism is way
of life in India.
Hindus rise early
and bathe in the
sacred Ganges
River
Hindus
burn
incense
and
offer
prayer
Hindus practice Yoga.
Yoga is about meditation
and mind control over body.
Spiritual Discipline
Can you do this?
The popularity of yoga in the west is an
example of …….
Cultural
Diffusion
Central Beliefs of Hinduism
•Belief in many forms of one god
•Reincarnation: Rebirth based
upon karma
•Karma = deeds. Knowledge that
all thoughts and actions result in
future consequences.
•Vedas and Upanishads are
sacred writings
•Spread along major trade routes
Reincarnation
means “Rebirth”.
An individual spirit
(ATMAN) is born
again and again
until Moksha is
achieved.
The cycle of
reincarnation is
called “Samsara.”
Moksha
A state of perfect understanding of all
things and release from life in this
world.
Karma is the sum of
your good deeds
throughout your life.
Good Karma results
in reincarnation to a
higher Varna in the
Caste system until
Moksha is achieved.
Dharma is the
religious law or moral
duty to follow Hindu
scriptures.
Two sacred texts are
important to Hindus:
The Vedas
are sacred
hymns.
Interpretations of the Vedas
Jainism also developed at this time in
India. Jains believe that everything in
the universe has a soul and should
not be harmed. They practice nonviolence even to insects.
Objectives
•Describe characteristics
of empires of India
during the Classical
period
•Sequence key events
during Mauryan and
Guptan Empires
11/3 & 11/4
India’s political history
during the classical
period could be
characterized
as fragmented with
intermittent empires.
Around 600 BCE, the
first empire united many
small kingdoms. It was
called the Mauryan
Empire.
Ganges
River
The classical empires were
centered on the Ganges
river.
The Mauryan Empire, led by Chandragupta Maurya,
spanned more than 2,000 miles. Chandragupta
Maurya built his empire by conquest.
He had an army of 600,000 and defeated Alexander the Great’s
successor, Seleucus, near the Indus River valley in 303 BCE.
Under Chandragupta Maurya:
•His advisor, Kautilya wrote the
Arthasastra, about how to
keep a vast empire together
•Written in Sanskrit, one of the
earliest written Indian
languages, the book urged
rulers to conquer neighboring
kingdoms that are weak and
maintain an army of spies.
In 301 BCE, Chandragupta’s
grandson, Asoka assumed the
throne. Under Asoka:
•Continued warfare against
neighbors and during the battle
of Kalinga, lost 100,000 soldiers.
•Kalinga served as a defining
moment for Asoka – Deeply
affected by the loss
of life and suffering, he began to
study Buddhism.
Asoka:
•Spread Buddhist teachings by
constructing huge pillars inscribed
with Buddhist teachings throughout
his empire. They were called
Asoka’s Edicts.
•These pillars urged non-violence
and acceptance of other religions
•Asoka improved roads, created
public wells, planted
trees for shade and built rest stops
throughout his kingdom.
Asoka appointed
missionaries who
spread Buddhism
throughout India and to
China and other parts of
Asia.
After Asoka died in 232
BCE, the Mauryan
empire fell apart.
A period of disunity and
regional kingdoms followed
Asoka’s death and lasted for
500 years. Then, in 320 CE,
Chandra Gupta united India
into its second empire,
the Gupta Empire.
Which empire was larger,
geographically? Mauryan or
Guptan?
The Gupta empire brought about the
flowering of Indian and Hindu culture
and advancements in math and
science.
Cultural achievements:
• Literature flourished: Kalidasa wrote
Shakuntala, a classic love story
•Drama and dancing became important
elements of Indian culture
Scientific Achievements:
•Indian astronomers proved
that the earth was round by
observing a lunar eclipse
•Advanced mathematics:
Indian numerals are the
numbers we use today but
the Arabic civilizations would
get the credit.
• the number “Zero” and the
decimal system
Scientific achievements continued
•Indian mathmetician
Aryabhata calculated the
value of pi.
•Aryabhata also calculated
the length of the solar year
very accurately
•Continued advancements
in medicine and surgerycompiled medical texts
Commercial Achievements
Indian Merchants were the
middlemen in the emerging Silk
Road trade. Traders also
brought goods such as spices,
diamonds,sapphires, gold,
pearls, sandalwood, ebony and
teakwood.
Traders also spread religion
eastward. Hinduism spread only
as far as Nepal, Sri Lanka and
parts of Indonesia, while
Buddhism later spread
throughout China and
Southeast Asia.
Ancient and Classical India Timeline
1900 BCE
1500 BCE
Mohenjo
The Vedas
Daro
composed
And
Harappa
thrived
Aryan
invasions
500 BCE
Sanskrit
was first
written
563-483
Siddhartha
Gautama
originated
Buddhism
326 BCE
Alexander
Invades
and departs
Indus River
Valley
500 years of
disunity
and regional rule
321 BCE
320
CE
Mauryan
Empire
unites
IndiaAshoka
rules from
269-232
Guptan
Empire
rules
India
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