Classical Civilization
Topography of India
• Subcontinent of
India is partially
separated from
the rest of the
Asian continent
by the Himalayas
Passes through the mountains linked India
to other civilizations in the Middle East
Divisions within India itself
made full unity very difficult.
The most important agricultural
regions are those along the Indus
and the Ganges Rivers
The Formative Period
Indian civilization was
also shaped by its Vedic
and Aryan Ages. Aryan
conquerors gradually
came to terms with
agriculture. These ages
brought the caste
system, Sanskrit and
many other religious
beliefs to India.
Patterns in
Classical
India
Political eras were less clear in
India – Invasions constantly
disrupted the flow of rule.
Classical India alternated
between widespread empires
and a network of smaller
kingdoms.
The Maurya and Gupta
dynasties constituted the most
successful political regimes in
India. They were run entirely
by Indians themselves as
opposed to outside conquerors.
The Maurya Dynasty
The first to unify much of the
subcontinent. It’s first major
ruler was Chandragupta. He
ruled along the Ganges River
around 322 BCE. He borrowed
from Persian political models,
and Alexander the Great.
Chandragupta and his successors
maintained large armies,
developed large bureaucracies,
and developed a postal service.
Their style of government was
highly autocratic.
Ashoka was even greater than his
grandfather. Through fierce
fighting, he gained control of all
but the southern tip of India.
Ashoka worked to improve trade
and communication. Built an
extensive road network, with
wells and rest stops for travelers.
Commerce grew. After Ashoka,
the empire fell apart.
The Guptas
Began around 320 CE - No
individual rulers but a great
impact - Power was spread
through intermarriage and
negotiation. This was the
greatest period of stability for
India. They were overthrown by
the Huns in 535 CE
The Caste System
Provided the stability in India
that most countries received
from government.
The caste system developed during the
Vedic and Epic Ages. It slowly
developed into almost 300 sub castes.
It provided a network of rules and
promoted public order.
Hinduism
The religion of the majority of
people from India. Hinduism
had no single founder and no
central holy figure.
Features of Hinduism
Upanishads – Epic poems
Dharma – Hindu moral law
Buddhism – Founded on the
teachings of Gautama born
around 563 BCE – Accepted many
Hindu beliefs but attacked the
priests and caste system.
Buddha argued that holy life
could be attained from any
level of society.
Characteristics of India’s
Society
• Family life emphasized rigidity and tight
organization
• Male dominance was greater in theory than reality
• Families formed economic units
• Economy rivaled China in sophistication and
technology but was still agricultural based
• Very prosperous upper class
• Emphasized trade and merchant activity (greater
than China and the Med. World