Transcript Classical India - Mr. Woodside's Class

Classical India
CHAPTER 3
#1 Politics
 How is Classical India different?
 More integrated with Rome, Middle east than
China.
Aryan invasion 1600-1100 BCE- brought Sanskrit,
literary tradition, caste system (varnas); Vedic &
Epic Eras
 327-325 BC/BCE- Alexander the Great brings
hellenistic (Greek)culture
 Tends to be made up of regional kingdoms (even
when unified) 16 kingdoms by 600 BCE
Mauryan Dynasty
 Invasion of Greeks prompted rise of
Mauryan Dynasty
 TWO RULERS:
 Chandragupta 322 BCE- : large armies,
substantial bureaucracy, autocratic rule
 Ashoka 269-232:
 extended territory
 converted to Buddhism
 honored Hinduism
 encouraged trade- roads,wells
Regional kingdoms resurfaced
 Guptas ruled empire using marriage,
alliances
Gupta
 320 CE- Golden Age of
classical India
 Stable
 Leaders claimed to be
“appointed by gods”
 How to deal with regional
princes?
 Negotiation, marriage, avoided
fighting
 Ended 535 CE
#2 Economy
 Trade items: cloth, cashmere
 Southern India oceanic trade
 Rome, ME, China (silk road)
#3 Religion
 Hinduism
 Books: Rig Veda
 No single founder- traced back to
Epic/Vedic Age
 Dieties: Brahma- “divine principle”
manifested in various forms. Examples:
 Vishu- preserver
 Shiva- destroyer
 Two types: Ritualistic vs. Holymen
 One focused on traditions (ie dietary
restrictions- beef), the other on communion
with divine soul
 Afterlife: reincarnation
 Caste system- may move to a higher caste in next
life
 Ultimate goal to reincarnate with full union of the
soul with Brahma
 Ethics: Dharma
 A guide to living in the world while still attempting to
reach spiritual goal of union with Brahma
Buddhism
 563 BCE
 Siddhartha Gautama
 4 Noble truths
 All life is suffering
 Suffering is caused by desire
 Get rid of desire= get rid of suffering
 Follow the 8 Fold Path to get rid of desire
 8 fold path focuses on right behaviours and
meditation
 Nirvana- the state of nothingness- no more
reincarnation
 Supported by Ashoka
#4 Society
 Caste system defined economics with social
structure
 Family life, patriarchal, began with arranged
marriages at young ages
 India’s location, religion encouraged trade,
manufacturing
 Wealthy held by limited few
 Women: low treatment- BUT evident stories
of strong willed women/ belief in goddesses
#5 Culture- mostly Gupta
 Literature focused on adventure, everyday
life, imagination, romance
 Epic Poems
 Sinbad the Sailor- Panchatantra
 Science
 Astronomical knowledge
 Medical knowledge of vaccines, sterilization
 Mathematics included zero, negative ,
numbers
 Artwork extremely stylized and lively
Indian Influence
 Indian merchants, dominance of seas with
lateen sail, spread civilization to SE Asia
VII. China & India
Similar?
Different?