1	Chapter 3: Classical India AP World History I
2	The Impact of Geographic Determinism in India India was much closer to the “orbit of other civilizations” than China Open to influences from the Middle East and the Mediterranean world. Persian ideas spill into Classical India at times Alexander the Great invades India and spreads Hellenistic culture to India
3	India’s Location in the World
4	Geography India is partially separated from East Asia via the Himalayan Mountains. Passes through these mountains formed cultural ties with the Middle East, yet isolated China. Divisions within the Indian Subcontinent made unity difficult Greater diversity than China’s Middle Kingdom
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6	Geography Agricultural regions exist between the Indus river and Ganges River Mountainous northern region is where herding takes root. Southern coastal rim is where active trading and seafaring economy grows
7	Geography The differences in geography and activities along the Indian subcontinent help to explain the economic, racial, and language diversity that exists in India even to this day!
8	Climate Much of India is semi-tropical In the River Valley plains summer brings monsoons. Indian population has been forced to adjust to the monsoon cycle…for good, and bad
9	Indian Development Indian’s civilization was shaped by what is known as the “formative” period between the fall of the Indus RVC and the establishment of a full Indian Civilization. 1600 to 1000 BCE: Aryan Invasions 1500 to 1000 BCE: Vedic Age 1000 to 600 BCE: Epic Age
10	Formative Period Aryans were Indo-European migrant hunting and herding peoples from Central Asia. Aryan invasions were separate, unrelated, but common occurrences. Aryans often attacked and subjugated peoples. During the Vedic Age (1500 to 1000 BCE) Indian agriculture extended from the Indus to the more fertile Ganges River Valley. Aryans used iron tools to clear away the dense vegetation.
11	Literary Traditions Much of what we know about the “pre-classical” India comes from literary epics developed by the Aryans Passed on orally, at first Then, written in Sanskrit Sacred books were known as the VEDAS
12	The Vedas Vedic Age (first part of the Formative period) comes from Sanskrit “Veda” or “knowledge.” Rig-Veda: the first epic, with 1028 hymns dedicated to Aryan gods. During the EPIC age, more stories were created…
13	Literature during the Epic Age The Mahabharata: India’s greatest epic poem The Ramayana: deals with real and mystical battles These show a more organized, civil life than the Rig-Veda Upanishads: Epic poems with a religious flavor
14	Impact of Aryan Society Tight level of village organization Village chiefs organize defenses and property control Family structure emphasizes patriarchal controls with strong extended family relationships
15	Aryan Social Structure Aryan Social Classes (varnas) Warrior/Governing class (Kshatriyas) Priestly class (Brahmans) Traders and farmers (Vaisyas) Common Laborers (Sudras) UNTOUCHABLES During the EPIC age, the Brahmans displace the Kshatriyas at the top of the social order
16	The Indian Caste System The Five Social groups become hereditary, with marriage between castes forbidden, punishable by death. Smaller sub-captions of castes (jati) began Aryans brought a religion of many gods and goddesses who regulate natural forces and have human qualities
17	The Classical Age By 600 BCE, India had passed through its formative phase. Regional political units grew in size Cities and trade expanded Development of the Sanskrit language A full classical civilization could now build on themes developed during the Vedic and Epic ages
18	Classical Civilization India did not take on the convenience of the rising and falling of dynasties, like in China. Irregular power flow Consisted of invasions, and religious conflict By 600 BCE, 16 major states existed in the plains of Northern India The most powerful: Magadha, established dominance over a considerable empire.
19	Alexander the Great In 327 BCE, Alexander the Great, conquered most of Greece and the Middle East…establishes a border state, called Bactria.
20	Mauryan Empire 322 BCE, a young soldier named Chandragupta Maurya seized power along the Ganges River. He becomes the first ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty who will rule most of the Indian Subcontinent
21	Chandragupta Maurya Maintained large armies with thousands of chariots and elephant borne troops Highly autocratic
22	Ashoka Chandragupta’s grandson, ASHOKA (269-232 BCE) was at first, governor of two Indian provinces Leads Mauryan conquests in the whole subcontinent of India, minus the southern tip bloodthirsty
23	Ashoka Converts to Buddhism Dharma-law of moral consequences Vigorously propagates Buddhism throughout India Urges officials to be humane, and insists that they see over the moral welfare of the people
24	After Ashoka The Kushans invade India Kanishka converts to Buddhism, but hurts the religion because he is foreign Kushan state collapses by 220 CE, followed by a century of instability The empire begins to fall apart. No real long-term impact of governing style, etc. Buddhism persists for some time, though
25	The Gupta Empire Beginning in 320 CE, the GUPTA Empire takes hold No individual rulers as influential as the Mauryan rulers Greatest period of stability for classical India Overturned in 535 CE by the Huns
26	Politics in Classical India Depend heavily on the power of their large armies Claimed that they were appointed by the gods to rule Support for Hinduism Unlike China and Greece/Roma, India does not develop complex political ethics systems REGIONALISM DIVERSITY IN POLITICAL FORMS
27	Politics in Classical India No single language was imposed Sanskrit was the language of educated people. Spread uniform law codes Patrons of art/literature/university life Engaged in road building The Gupta Empire is considered to be a GOLDEN AGE of Indian History Gupta Empire creates a demanding taxation system Did NOT create an extensive bureaucracy Allowed local rulers to maintain regional control as long as they pledge support to the Gupta Empire
28	Politics in Classical India Ashoka saw an ethic for good behavior in Buddhism, but Buddhist leaders were not involved in the affairs of the state. Indian Religion stressed the importance of priests as sources of authority Political culture was not very elaborate Thinking encouraged efficient authority but not a spread of political values like Confucianism in China or the interest in political ethics in Rome and Greece
29	The Caste System Hereditary principals became stronger Upward mobility could occur within ones caste, but rarely to a new caste This was the most rigid overall framework for a social structure in any of the classical civilizations Became more complex after the Epic Age The 5 classes subdivided into over 300 jati Determined who one could eat with/marry, etc.
30	The Caste System In a sense, the caste system led to tolerance Avoided outright slavery
31	Effects on Economy and Society Family life echoes that theme of hierarchy and organization As agriculture became better organized and improved technology reduced women’s economic contributions, the stress on male authority expanded Caste system dominated economic and social life. Lower Caste individuals had very few rights
32	Economy and Society Patriarchal family was subtly different from that in China Indian culture featured strong-willed female goddesses, which contributed to women’s status as wives and mothers. Stories celebrate women’s beauty Arranged marriages come about during this time as a means of ensuring solid economic links The family was a core unit A man’s wife is his truest friend Children were pampered
33	Economy A Vibrant economy, rivaling China’s New uses for chemistry Steel was the best in the world Textiles: Cotton cloth, and cashmere Artisans formed guilds and sold their goods from shops Emphasis on trade and merchant activity was greater than in China
34	Economy Indian merchants enjoyed high caste status Traveled widely Seafaring people along the southern border, usually out of the control of the large northern empires were active traders Southern Indians, known as Tamils, traded cotton, silks, dyes, drugs, gold, and ivory.
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36	Indian Influence Indian dominance on the waters of Southern Asia carried goods and influence well beyond the Indian Subcontinent. While India did not attempt political domination of Southeast Asia, it influenced its development greatly
37	Indian Influence Buddhism spreads from India to many parts of southeast Asia. India influence affects China by the end of the classical period With the fall of the Gupta Empire, the classical age is over (later than China and Rome) BUT an identifiable image of India remained (unlike China and Rome)
38	Ch’India…contrasts Restraint of Chinese art and poetry contrast with the more dynamic styles of India. India rests upon a singular religion, while China has different philosophies and religions Social rigidity in India Political structure and values more structured in China than in India. Science: Indians venture into math more than Chinese
39	Ch’India-Similarities Agricultural societies Large peasant class organized in close knit villages Cities and merchant activity was vital yet secondary role Political power lay with those who own the land Patriarchy