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Classical India

Classical India. The Maurya and Gupta Dynasties. Introduction. Difference vs. China China focus on politics/related philosophies vs. India focus on religion/social structure India had a less cohesive political structure Both were agricultural societies, male ownership, patriarchal, trade.

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Classical India

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  1. Classical India The Maurya and Gupta Dynasties

  2. Introduction • Difference vs. China • China focus on politics/related philosophies vs. India focus on religion/social structure • India had a less cohesive political structure • Both were agricultural societies, male ownership, patriarchal, trade

  3. Introduction continued • India was heavily influenced by cultures to the west (Middle East, Mediterranean)

  4. Formative Period • Vedic and Epic ages • Knowledge passed down through epics written in Sanskrit – Vedas “knowledge” • Rig Veda – First epic focused on the Aryan gods

  5. Formative Period continued • Mahabharata • Ramayana • Upanishads – Last epic which provides further detail regarding significant ideas such as karma and reincarnation. Serve as the foundational text of many Hindu traditions

  6. Formative Period continued • Aryans created social classes (varnas) • Priests – Brahmins • Warrior/governing – Kshatriyas • Traders/farmers – Vaisyas • Common laborers – Sudras • Untouchables – refuse, transporting dead bodies, other lovely jobs

  7. Formative Period continued • Social groups became hereditary • Can’t marry between castes – punishable by death • Broken into smaller subgroups

  8. Empires of Classical India • India was divided for much of is history during the Epic age. • 16 major states by 600 BCE

  9. Empires of Classical India continued • Mauryan Dynasty (322-185 BCE) • Chandragupta Maurya unified the subcontinent • Maintained large armies • Developed a large bureaucracy • Postal service • Style of government • Autocratic – based on ruler’s personal/military power

  10. Empires of Classical India continued • Ashoka – grandson of Chandragupta Maurya • Extended the dynasty’s control to the south • Influenced by nature/spiritualism • Converted to Buddhism • Spread Buddhism throughout empire • Honored Hinduism • Improved road network to encourage the growth of commerce

  11. Empires of Classical India continued • Decline • Small regional kingdoms began to appear • Kushans, from the northwest invaded • Converted to Buddhism and led to decline of religion’s popularity

  12. Empires of Classical India continued • Gupta Dynasty (320-600 CE) • No powerful individual rulers, but greater impact • Negotiate with local princes • Expanded influence without fighting • Two generations of political stability • Favored Hinduism

  13. Political Institutions • Regionalism – diversity • Autocratic kings once in awhile, but also aristocratic assemblies • How did they maintain power? • Mauryan – military power • Created a bureaucracy of various ministers • Established a network of spies to provide rulers with local information • Operated industries to encourage economic stability • Spinning, weaving, mining, shipbuilding, armaments

  14. Political Institutions continued • Gupta • Negotiation • Appointed by gods • Did not have a large bureaucracy; • Allowed local rulers to have autonomy • Representative of the Gupta court remained with local rulers • No single language imposed; promoted Sanskrit • Golden Age • Spread laws • Supported university, arts, literature, science, math, medicine

  15. Political Institutions continued • No elaborate political culture • Political service not valued as important • Buddhist leaders not interested in political affairs

  16. Political Institutions continued • Caste system already regulated life – social behavior – political laws unnecessary • Sub-castes hereditary defined each group • Could only marry within group • Marry below, or lower job and you could lose caste • Rarely move up in caste – did well economically

  17. Political Institutions continued • Most rigid social structure of all classic civilizations • Method of conquerors and conquered to live together in peace • Not necessary to totally blend cultures • Promoted tolerance • Slavery avoided – untouchables not owned

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