Geography of India
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Separated from the rest of Asia by
mountain ranges.
Most important agricultural regions are
along the Ganges and the Indus
During the Vedic and Epic ages, the
Aryans (Indo-Europeans) helped create
Indian culture. Caste system, Sanskrit
and other belief systems introduced.
Maurya Dynasty
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First to unify much of the subcontinent
Chandragupta seized power along the
Ganges in 322 BCE. He maintained large
armies.
Mauryan rulers developed a bureaucracy,
sponsoring a postal service.
Maurya Dynasty
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Chandragupta was autocratic, relying on military
and personal power. This is a political style that
would resurface throughout Indian history.
Ashoka extended Mauryan conquests and
gained control of all but the southern tip of India
through fierce fighting.
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He improved trade and communication.
Stability and expansion encouraged growing
commerce.
His decline leads to periods of instability.
Gupta Dynasty
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Produced no individual rulers, but had a greater
impact. Provides stability.
Produced several generals able to conquer
regional states through central and western
India.
Gupta rulers often preferred to negotiate with
local princes and intermarry with their families,
which expanded their influence without constant
fighting.
Two centuries produced a great period of
political instability.
Political Institutions
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Regionalism, plus considerable diversity
in political forms.
Autocratic kings and emperors came and
went, but there were also aristocratic
assemblies in some regional states with
the power to consult and decide on major
issues.
Caste System
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Promoted tolerance, allowing widely
different social classes to live next to each
other, separated by social structures.
Loyalty to caste superseded loyalty to any
overall ruler.
Religion, particularly Hinduism, was the
only uniting influence.
Caste System
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Took place during the Vedic and Epic Ages
(Aryans) and developed literature and religion—
served as a basis for Hindu beliefs.
4 (5) castes developed. (Brahmins, warriors,
farmers/merchants, servants, untouchables).
Castes system and religious encouragement to
the faithful performance of caste duties did for
Indian life what more conventional government
structures did in many other cultures
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public order
providing network of rules to live life
Hinduism– Ethnic Religion
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One of the world’s oldest religions
Developed over centuries
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Not based on one person
Not based on a specific text
Many different beliefs and practices
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Many Gods and Goddesses
View ALL life as sacred
Stress unity of all things
Hinduism
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Reincarnation
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Soul continues through a series of lives on
the way to union with eternal spirit
The sum of a person’s past lives is the
person’s Karma. You can have good Karma
or bad Karma
Hinduism
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Reincarnation
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Every person has a dharma, or special duty in
life.
If they carry out their dharma well, they will
move up into the next caste, in their next life.
If they do NOT carry out their dharma well,
they will move down.
Buddhism
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Founded on the teachings of an Indian
Prince, Siddhartha Gautama, later called
Buddha or “enlightened one.”
560 BCE
Left palace and family to gain spiritual
enlightenment.
Buddha accepted many Hindu beliefs but
rejected its priests and the caste system.
Buddhism
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Four noble truths
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All life is characterized by suffering.
Suffering originates in craving/wanting.
Stopping craving/wanting ends suffering.
Follow the 8 fold path.
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Right views, intentions, speech, conduct etc.
End result is Nirvana
Economy and Society
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Caste system—Assigns people to occupations
and regulated marriage possibilities.
Family life also emphasized the theme of
hierarchy, tight organization and formed
economic units.
The economy becomes extremely vigorous,
certainly rivaling China in technological
sophistication.
Economy and Society
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In manufacturing, Indians invented new uses for
chemistry and their steel was the best in the
world
Emphasis on trade and merchant activity was far
greater than in China, and indeed greater than
that of the classical Mediterranean world.
Still remained largely agricultural at its base.