Classical India Classical India 1000 BCE – 500 CE

What made this a great civilization?

Click for Mauryan Empire video clip

How did geography influence Indian civilization?• India’s location prompted greater

contact and influences from the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

• Physical barriers did provide a general isolation that led the subcontinent to develop unique culture and promote internal diversity.

• The subtropical climate and dependence upon monsoons affected the survival of development of culture as well.

Can you identify features affecting India’s development?

What were the Vedic and Epic Ages?• Aryan invasion from central Asia

affected the agriculture, culture and social structure of what had once been ancient India along the Indus River Valley.

• Vedic Age 1500-1000 BCE, sacred books the Vedas written in sanskrit provide knowledge of this period.

• Epic Age 1000 – 600 BCE, additional stories added expand Indian culture via the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Upanishads.

Caste System develops during the Vedic and Epic Ages• Based on

establishing a relationship between Aryan conquerors and indigenous people.

• Social classes: varnas and jati

• Citizens were born into and married within the same varna (caste)

The Caste System

Brahmans(priests)

Kshatriyas(warriors/governing)

Vaisyas(merchants, traders, farmers)

Sudras(common laborers)

Untouchables(unclean work)

The ruling classes were in the top 2 levels.

Women do not fit into the system.

Aryans bring a religion• Origins of modern day Hinduism• No single founder and no central

holy figure• Brahma = everything,

manifestations include Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer

Hinduism continued…• In seeking union with Brahma

known as Moksha, it may take many lifetimes thus reincarnation– Reincarnation = souls are reborn

into new human or animal forms•Reincarnation is affected dharma and

karma– Dharma = moral path and duty– Karma = how a person lives their life and

fulfills dharma

Bathing on the Ganges at Varanasi

Ashes going into the Ganges River

Buddhism arises from Hinduism• Siddhartha Gautama = Buddha, the

enlightened one• Rejected caste system and wanted

answers to why people suffer• Four Noble Truths

– All people suffer– People suffer due to earthly desires– People can end suffering by eliminating

desires– Eliminate desires by following the

Eightfold Path

Buddha and the Eightfold PathFill in the Eight Fold Path on your

Notes using the picture below.

Buddhism continued…• Nirvana = freedom from

reincarnation, not a place but a state of existence

• Buddhism diffuses (spreads) throughout Asia

• Stupas were built to house remains of Buddhist holy people, serve as prayer sites and house monks

Empires and Political Institutions• Two major empires united

large parts of India but the role of local and regional governments dominated India leaving no solid political institutions.

1. Mauryan Empire, 322 BCE – 232 BCE• Chandragupta Maurya, first ruler to unify

much of the subcontinent• Autocratic ruler, who kept a large army

and established a large bureaucracy including a postal system.

• Grandson, Ashoka extended Mauryan conquests enlarging the empire and expanded roads and services for his people.

• Ashoka converted to Buddhism and sponsored missionaries thus supporting its diffusion (spread).

• Rock Edicts, laws supporting Buddhism were carved on stone pillars and placed throughout empire.

2. Gupta Empire, 320 CE – 535 CE • Two centuries of Gupta Rule using

negotiation with princes and intermarrying families brought Classical India the longest period of political stability.

• Gupta empire rulers claimed divine appointment to secure power.

• Favored the Hindu religion which help set up its dominance in India.

• Set up a demanding taxation system.• Sanskrit was emphasized as the language

of the educated people – but no single language was imposed.

• Supported a vast university system - Nalanda (one of the first in the world).

Science and Math in Classical India• Indian numbering system (Arabic due

to Europeans importing it from Arab trade)

• Concept of Zero• Developed the decimal system• Concept of negative numbers• Calculated value of pi• Calculated length of solar year• Calculated circumference of the earth• Inoculation against Small Pox• Practice of sterilization

Patriarchy in Classical India• Fathers and Husbands were

dominate• Indian laws supported males• Arranged marriages ensured

economic links and created little voice/choices for girls

Economy of Classical India• India developed extensive

internal and maritime trade• High quality goods were

traded out of India such as iron/steel, cotton, cashmere, dyes, precious metals, etc.