Upload
titus
View
37
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Late Indian History. Caste System Patterns of Indian Civilizations. Two Great Faiths. Hinduism. Buddhism. Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reach Nirvana No Deities Open to all. Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reunite atman (soul) with Brahman Deities Caste system. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Late Indian History
Caste SystemPatterns of Indian Civilizations
Two Great FaithsHinduism Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reunite atman
(soul) with Brahman Deities Caste system
Buddhism Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reach Nirvana
No Deities Open to all
Caste System “Varnas”
Brahmins Priestly caste: most privileged in rituals Must conform to ritually purer practices
(e.g., strict vegetarianism) Kshatriyas
Warriors and rulers
Caste System “Varnas”
Vaishyas landowning farmers and merchants
Sudras Low status laborers and artisans
Harijans (Dalits) Untouchables
(technically considered so low as to not be a caste) Do the “dirty work”; killing animals, tanning hides,
sweeping and cleaning 20% of current population
Basic Patterns of Indian Civilizations6th century BCE to 6th century CE
Periods of political unity followed by long periods of fragmented disunity
Invaders conquered India, but were then culturally assimilated
To this day, unity in India comes from culture, not politics
Caste system is more important that political parties
Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire 321 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya forged the largest empire in Indian history
Created a well-organized bureaucracy
Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire
Borrowed ideas from Alexander the Great Tax collection Royal courts of law Large army (chariots and elephants) Secret police Postal system
Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka
Asoka, 268 BCE Ruthless warrior
After bloody war he turned his back on further conquests.
Converted to Buddhism Rejected violence Resolved to rule by
moral example.
Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka
Preached tolerance for other religions
Spread Buddhism throughout Asia Temples Monasteries Monks
Asoka’s Edicts
600 Years of Disorder(2nd century BCE - 4th century CE)
Numerous invasions from Central Asia and Middle East
Buddhism continued to spread Hinduism declined Connected India with China & Rome
Spices, cloth, and luxury items
Empires of India:The Gupta Empire
Chandra Gupta in 320 CE
“Classical” Age of India Arts Literature (Kama Sutra) Philosophy Mathematics (decimals &
0)
Empires of India:The Gupta Empire
Favored Hinduism Emphasized the caste
system Buddhism declined
Empires of India:The Gupta Empire
Huns invade in 535 CE India entered their “Dark Ages”
Rajputs
10th Century CE Warrior kings Many small states Indian rule was
similar to European Feudalism
Greatest temple builders
Islam and India
Early 8th century, first Islamic contact 1001, first massive Muslim invasion 150 years of peace Mohammed of Ghor returned in 1192 and
conquered India by 1202 Muslim rule until 1397 Hinduism thrived despite significant
differences with Islam