Classical India

Chapter 3Pg. 56-74

Geography & Formative Period

Geography Well positioned for trade Diverse landscape results in regionalism Monsoon climate

Heavy summer rains during June, July, August Dry season with almost no rain from Sept to

May Extreme impacts on agriculture

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Geography & Formative Period

Formative Periods Vedic Age (1500-1000 BCE) Epic Age (1000-600 BCE) Resulted in creation of early forms of key

cultural traits: caste system polytheistic religion

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Patterns in Classical India 1500-600BCE: Vedic & Epic Ages 600-322BCE: Regional states dominate plains 322-232BCE: Mauryan Empire

Autocratic rule, Buddhist 232BCE-320CE: Regionalism reemerges

(Kushans) 320-535CE: Gupta Empire

Decentralized rule, Hindu

Political Institutions Most persistent political feature of India

is regionalism However, some centralization did occur

Example: Gupta promotion of Sanskrit & law code

Caste system provided local control & regulation often fulfilled by gov

QuestionEven though the Maurya and Gupta empires

were highly influential, Indian history largely is characterized by small regional kingdoms.

Why do you think large empires did not "take hold" in India as they did in other parts of the world?

What is unusual or significant about Indian culture in this respect?

Religion & Culture Hinduism evolved overtime yielding

remarkable complexity & diversity Forms of Worship:

Ritualistic, ceremonial worship (brahmins) Mystical search for divine essence (gurus)

Belief structure:

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Vishnu Shivamillions of local

deitiesworld of humans:

dharmafulfillment of life

roles karma

death

reincarnation

Brahma

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Religion & Culture Buddhism founded by Siddartha

Gautama in 536 BCE in response to Hinduism Questioned fairness of misery believing the

material world caused human suffering Adopted Hindu ideas of mysticism &

reincarnation; Rejected caste, rituals, priests

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Religion & Culture Art & Science flourished in Indian

culture Literature:

Science:

Math:

Art:

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Economy & Society Caste system & agriculture provided basic

framework of hierarchy Patriarchal but with greater emotional ties to

women & children Economy firmly subsistence agriculture

but with significant trade & manufacturing Key good = cotton textiles Merchants valued

Indian Influence Indian Ocean was the key linkage

among cultures Trade carried Indian creativity, goods,

religions from Africa & Middle East to SE Asia Buddhism, Hinduism, Art to SE Asia Buddhism, Art to China

India & China Differences:

Similarities:

Global Connections Indian civilization was pivotal to

cultural exchange largely through Indian Ocean & Silk Road

Question Explain how …

Hinduism changed and stayed the same between 1500 BCE and 535 CE

Buddhism changed and stayed the same between 536 BCE and 535 CE