 Daily Objective:
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To compare and contrast the social, political, and economic characteristics of the Classical Civilizations.

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1500 B.C.E. - fall of the Indus River Valley
Civilization (Harappa)
1500 – 600 B.C.E. – Formative Pre-classical Period
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Nomadic Aryan invaders move in, begin building new civilization
Geographical shift to Ganges River
Emergence of rigid social structures and the Caste System
Combination of native Dravidian and Aryan religions creates
Hinduism
Sanskrit: unifying written language spread

Aryans shift to the
Ganges River

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Early Religion and Culture
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Vedas: religious texts of Aryans; collection of hymns and prayers
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Later during Epic Age:
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Upanishads
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Reflects blending ideas with native Dravidians
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Universal spirit, Brahman; if you live a good life, you can hope to be reincarnated to a higher caste, and eventually unite with the universal spirit

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Less cohesive/unified than classical China's political culture
Politically fragmented due to diverse geography (Regionalism)
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Different types of gov't in different areas
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Monarchies, assemblies of priests/warriors common
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Warfare common
No single language or religion ever took root
Caste System firmly in place so political authority only of secondary importance
327 B.C.E. - Alexander the Great invades
322 B.C.E. - Chandragupta Maurya seizes power along the Ganges river, begins Mauryan dynasty
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Borrows from Alexander the Great:
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Large, powerful armies
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Autocratic (absolute) ruler
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Large bureaucracy

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Mauryan dynasty united much of the sub-continent for 300 years
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Grandson Ashoka (269-232 BCE):
Conquered many regions with large armies
Converted to Buddhism after very bloody battle
Tried to promote peace, tolerance, nonviolence
Built extensive road networks with wells/rest stops
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Invaders and political unrest led to decline of Mauryan dynasty
India returned to 500 years of fragmented regional kingdoms

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Gupta dynasty centralized power (320 CE)
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Under Gupta dynasty, longest period of political stability
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Focused on negotiating with regional Kings rather than conquest
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Promoted uniform law code
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Supported higher education and arts
Hindu revival
Profitable trade
Considered “golden age” of Indian history
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Fell in 535 CE to invading Huns

500 healing plants identified
1000 diseases classified
Printed medicinal guides
Plastic
Surgery
Medicine
Kalidasa
Literature
C-sections performed
Inoculations
Gupta
India
Solar
Calendar
Astronomy
Decimal
System
Mathematics
Concept of Zero
PI = 3.1416
The earth is round

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Agriculture based
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Most of population were farming peasants
Focus on trade and merchant activity
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Merchants had high caste status
Trade within India and outside thanks to sea routes on
Indian Ocean Trade network
Rivaled China in terms of technological advancement
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Chemistry
Steel
Ironmaking
Manufacturing – cotton cloth, calico, cashmere

spices gold & ivory

Rigid Social
Hierarchy based on Aryan:
Brahmins:
Priests
Kshatriyas:
Warriers, governors
Vaishyas:
Traders, farmers
Shudras:
Common Laborers
Pariahs  Untouchables

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Caste system becomes hereditary
Marriage between castes forbidden, punishable by death
Each caste subdivided into 300+ jati (livings) and people were assigned occupations
Gender relations
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Patriarchal
Husbands & fathers were dominant figures
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Arranged marriages became the norm
More emphasis on loving relations and sexual pleasure than Chinese; small children often pampered

• Hinduism
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From the Sanskrit word, sindhu, meaning “river.”
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No single founder - combination of beliefs
Spiritual leaders called gurus or sages
Polytheistic & pantheistic – “god is all”
Main beliefs:
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Brahma – is the entire universe (pantheism)
Several gods over see different aspects of life
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Vishnu, Shiva
Karma - actions in this life that affect the next
Dharma - the religious and moral duties of an individual
Caste system

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Buddhism
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Founded by Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha=
“Enlightened One”)
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An Indian Prince who lived in luxury and comfort yet realized life is full of suffering
Meditated until he became enlightened
Basic Ideas:
It is important to live a moral life
The cause of suffering is desire for things such as riches, power and long life.
Enlightenment is achieved through meditation
The ultimate goal is nirvana - union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.

• Hinduism & Buddhism shared beliefs
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Karma, reincarnation – keeping people bound to the earth
Emphasis on compassion and non-violence
Emphasize meditation and renouncing worldly things in order to reach the spiritual afterlife

 Analyze the similarities and difference in the social and gender structures of two of the following Classical Civilizations:
Han China (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.)
Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E.–550 C.E.)

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Buddha
Alexander the Great
Aryan
Sanskrit
Vedas
Varnas
Untouchables
Chandragupta
Maurya
Mauryan dynasty
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Kushans
Guptas
Gurus
Reincarnation
Vishnu
Shiva
Nirvana
Stupas