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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
Question
Even 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 Shiva
millions of local deities
world 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
Global Connections
Indian civilization was pivotal to cultural exchange largely through Indian Ocean & Silk Road