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Geography Climates Classical India Chapter 3 Hallmarks of Historic India 1. 2. “India” = derived from “Indus” meaning ‘land of the hIndus’ Diversity Many social classes (5 castes divided into 100s of jati) Source of identity, Most important social unit Many governments (Regional kingdoms more common than unifying empires) Many gods (millions of Hindu gods, Buddhism, Jainism) Regional Kingdoms Hindu Gods Vishnu -preserver of life Hindu Gods Shiva -destroyer Hindu Gods Ganesha God of wisdom Hindu Gods Saraswati Goddess of knowledge & the arts Hindu Gods Durga Goddess of war & female creative energy Hindu Gods Krishna Results of Diversity in Modern India 30 languages with over 1 million speakers Federalist state with 28 states & 7 territories Many religions (Hinduism = 80%, Islam = 14%, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism) States Language Families Local Languages Reason for Diversity? Geography Separate (Himalaya) yet Interconnected (Indian Ocean trade, Khyber Pass) Bellringer When you entered class today, you were reincarnated. Using complete sentences, describe what you did yesterday to deserve your new caste. Timeline Preview 1500-1000 BCE: Vedic Age Vedas composed Spread of Iron tools Adoption of Sanskrit 1000-600 BCE: Epic Age Brahman influence peaks Mahabhrata, Ramayana, & Upanisads composed Castes solidified 563-483 BCE: Life of Buddha & birth of Buddhism 327-325 BCE: Alexander the Great invades India Beginning of contacts b/t Classical societies 320-232 BCE: Maurya Elaborate efforts to centralize power in hands of emperor Noted ruler: Ashoka Largest territory Bureaucracy overseen by officials directly appointed by & reporting to emperor Efforts at standardization in justice, punishment, pay scales Built road system – tree lined, distance markers 200 BCE – 220 CE: Regionalism: era b/t Indian Empires Central Asian influence (Kushans) Age of Paradoxes Intrusion of outside cultures – Greeks & Central Asian nomads Trade & Art flourishes Merchant patrons instead of rulers Spread of Indian culture export of Buddhism along Silk Road, Hinduism to SE Asia 220 – 320: political instability 320 – 535: Gupta Golden Age – but not in policy rather in art, science, & manufacturing Government – decentralized Feudal–like (local authority, loyalty via relationships) “King among Kings” Trade prospers Bellringer When you entered class today, you were reincarnated. Using complete sentences, describe what you did yesterday to deserve your new caste. Hinduism & Buddhism Questions: 1. 2. What do you already know about Hinduism? List the kinds qualities that “good” people can possess. For example: Strength, etc. Religion & Culture - Hinduism No single founder Evolved overtime yielding remarkable complexity & diversity 330 million different gods, yet monotheistic Interconnection with caste 2 of 4 Brahma Vishnu Shiva millions of local deities world of humans: dharma fulfillment of life roles karma reincarnation death Religion & Culture - Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in 536 BCE in response to Hinduism Questioned fairness of misery believing the material world caused human suffering Adopted Hindu ideas of mysticism & reincarnation; Rejected caste, rituals, priests Buddhism Four Noble Truths All life is suffering; Suffering is caused by desire; There can be an end to desire; Follow the eightfold path Buddhism Eightfold Path Right understanding Right resolve Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort Right contemplation Right meditation Sanchi Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka Review Suffering is caused by desire Caste system Society is like a family Harsh rewards & punishments Looks to tradition to solve problems Advocated Buddhism Focused on practical technologies Indian empires in chronological order Brisk internal trade, more isolated internationally Advocated Hinduism Reincarnation Short lived empire Ruled through regional alliances Cultural golden age Stressed duty & social role Chinese dynasties in chronological order