1. CLASSICAL INDIA FROM THE MAURYANS TO THE GUPTAS

2. THE LATE VEDIC AGE The Vedic Age: 1500 – 500 BCE The Vedic Age: 1500 – 500 BCE Name from Vedas, which records history Name from Vedas, which records history Began with Aryan migration into India Began with Aryan migration into India Aryans pushed into Ganges, up to Deccan Aryans pushed into Ganges, up to Deccan Eventually nomadic Aryans settled down Eventually nomadic Aryans settled down Ruled local inhabitants (dasas, Dravidians) Ruled local inhabitants (dasas, Dravidians) Ganges Republics (mahajanapadas): 900 – 500 BCE Ganges Republics (mahajanapadas): 900 – 500 BCE Generally 16 larger states dominated Indus-Ganges Region Generally 16 larger states dominated Indus-Ganges Region Republics dominated by kshatriyans (warrior-rulers) Republics dominated by kshatriyans (warrior-rulers) States vied for power constantly with each other States vied for power constantly with each other Within states, kshatriyans vied for power with rulers Within states, kshatriyans vied for power with rulers Rulers performed social, religious rituals Rulers performed social, religious rituals Magahda was one of the most dominant of the states Magahda was one of the most dominant of the states Religious society dominated by brahmins Religious society dominated by brahmins Controlled ritual, rites, religious duties Controlled ritual, rites, religious duties Religion often called Brahmamism Religion often called Brahmamism

3. JAINISM Vardhamana Mahavira Vardhamana Mahavira Born in north India, 540 B.C.E. Born in north India, 540 B.C.E. Left family, searching for salvation from cycle of incarnation Left family, searching for salvation from cycle of incarnation Gained enlightenment, taught an ascetic doctrine Gained enlightenment, taught an ascetic doctrine His disciples began to lead a monastic life His disciples began to lead a monastic life Mahavira became Jina, the "conqueror," and followers, Jains Mahavira became Jina, the "conqueror," and followers, Jains Jainist doctrine and ethics Jainist doctrine and ethics Inspired by the Upanishads Inspired by the Upanishads Everything in the universe possessed a soul Everything in the universe possessed a soul Striving to purify one's selfish behavior to attain a state of bliss Striving to purify one's selfish behavior to attain a state of bliss The principle of ahimsa, nonviolence toward all living things The principle of ahimsa, nonviolence toward all living things Believed that almost all occupations entailed violence of some kind Believed that almost all occupations entailed violence of some kind Too demanding, not a practical alternative to the cult of the brahmins Too demanding, not a practical alternative to the cult of the brahmins Appeal of Jainism Appeal of Jainism Social implication: Individual souls equally participated in ultimate reality Social implication: Individual souls equally participated in ultimate reality The Jains did not recognize social hierarchies of caste and jati The Jains did not recognize social hierarchies of caste and jati Became attractive to members of lower castes Became attractive to members of lower castes The ascetic tradition continues to today The ascetic tradition continues to today

4. EARLY BUDDHISM Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.) Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.) Born in 563 B.C.E. to the Kshatriya caste Born in 563 B.C.E. to the Kshatriya caste Witnessed miseries of the human condition Witnessed miseries of the human condition Gave up his comfortable life Gave up his comfortable life Began searching for enlightenment Began searching for enlightenment Intense meditation and extreme asceticism Intense meditation and extreme asceticism Received enlightenment under the bo tree Received enlightenment under the bo tree The Buddha and his followers The Buddha and his followers "Turning of the Wheel of the Law," 528 B.C.E. "Turning of the Wheel of the Law," 528 B.C.E. Organized followers into a community of monks Organized followers into a community of monks Traveled, preached throughout north India Traveled, preached throughout north India Buddhist doctrine: The dharma Buddhist doctrine: The dharma The Four Noble Truths The Four Noble Truths All life involves suffering All life involves suffering Desire is the cause of suffering Desire is the cause of suffering Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering The Noble Eightfold Path brings the elimination of desire The Noble Eightfold Path brings the elimination of desire The Noble Eightfold Path (“Setting the wheel in motion”) The Noble Eightfold Path (“Setting the wheel in motion”) Right belief, right resolve, right speech, right behavior Right belief, right resolve, right speech, right behavior Right occupation, right effort, right contemplation, and right meditation Right occupation, right effort, right contemplation, and right meditation Religious goal: Nirvana, a state of perfect spiritual independence Religious goal: Nirvana, a state of perfect spiritual independence

5. APPEAL OF BUDDHISM Appealed strongly to members of lower castes Appealed strongly to members of lower castes Salvation without services of the brahmins Salvation without services of the brahmins Did not recognize social hierarchies of castes and jati Did not recognize social hierarchies of castes and jati Appealed to women as all souls considered equal Appealed to women as all souls considered equal Less demanding than Jainism, more popular Less demanding than Jainism, more popular Used vernacular tongues, not Sanskrit Used vernacular tongues, not Sanskrit Holy sites and pilgrims Holy sites and pilgrims The monastic organizations The monastic organizations Spread the Buddhist message, won converts Spread the Buddhist message, won converts Could be endowed by others to support the religion Could be endowed by others to support the religion Centers of learning, good works, contemplation Centers of learning, good works, contemplation Ashoka's support Ashoka's support Emperor Ashoka became a devout Buddhist, 206 B.C.E. Emperor Ashoka became a devout Buddhist, 206 B.C.E. Banned animal sacrifices in honor of ahimsa Banned animal sacrifices in honor of ahimsa Granted lands to monasteries Granted lands to monasteries Sent missionaries to Bactria and Ceylon Sent missionaries to Bactria and Ceylon

6. SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

7. VARIANTS OF BUDDHISM Early Buddhism Early Buddhism Made heavy demands on individuals Made heavy demands on individuals Giving up personal property Giving up personal property Forsaking the search for social standing Forsaking the search for social standing Detaching oneself from worldly pleasures Detaching oneself from worldly pleasures Development of Buddhism Development of Buddhism Buddha gradually seen as god by ex-Hindus, in China Buddha gradually seen as god by ex-Hindus, in China The bodhisatva - "an enlightened being" The bodhisatva - "an enlightened being" Monasteries accepted gifts from wealthy individuals Monasteries accepted gifts from wealthy individuals Buddhism became more attractive Buddhism became more attractive The Schism of Buddhism: Was he a god or man? The Schism of Buddhism: Was he a god or man? Mahayana - "the greater vehicle" Mahayana - "the greater vehicle" Spread to Central, East Asia Spread to Central, East Asia Blended in India with Hinduism, which coopted Buddha as a god Blended in India with Hinduism, which coopted Buddha as a god Coopted Chinese traditions and Taoist gods in China Coopted Chinese traditions and Taoist gods in China Hinayana or Theravada Hinayana or Theravada Continued to view Buddha as human Continued to view Buddha as human Practiced in Sri Lanka, parts of India, SE Asia Practiced in Sri Lanka, parts of India, SE Asia Buddhism died out in India as it merged with Hinduism Buddhism died out in India as it merged with Hinduism

8. RISE OF MAURYAN EMPIRE Western Intrusions Western Intrusions Intrusions of Persians (520 B.C.E.) Intrusions of Persians (520 B.C.E.) Persians established Indus satrapy Persians established Indus satrapy Introduced imperial government, ruling style, coins Introduced imperial government, ruling style, coins The Greek Interlude (c. 327 B.C.E.) The Greek Interlude (c. 327 B.C.E.) Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Invaded India Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Invaded India Alexander’s withdrawal left a political vacuum Alexander’s withdrawal left a political vacuum Seleucid Empire succeeded to Alexander’s lands in India Seleucid Empire succeeded to Alexander’s lands in India Magadha kingdom filled the vacuum in Ganges Magadha kingdom filled the vacuum in Ganges Chandragupta Maurya Chandragupta Maurya As young prince, held hostage by Greeks, escaped back to India As young prince, held hostage by Greeks, escaped back to India Overthrew the Magadha kingdom in 321 B.C.E. Overthrew the Magadha kingdom in 321 B.C.E. The founder of the Mauryan empire The founder of the Mauryan empire Conquered the Greek state in Bactria, Selecuid control of Indus Conquered the Greek state in Bactria, Selecuid control of Indus Chandragupta's empire embraced all of northern India Chandragupta's empire embraced all of northern India Chandragupta's government Chandragupta's government Government procedures devised by Kautalya, the advisor of the empire Government procedures devised by Kautalya, the advisor of the empire The political handbook, Arthashastra, outlined administrative methods The political handbook, Arthashastra, outlined administrative methods

9. ASHOKA Ashoka Maurya (reigned 268-232 B.C.E.) Ashoka Maurya (reigned 268-232 B.C.E.) Chandragupta's grandson Chandragupta's grandson The high point of the Mauryan empire The high point of the Mauryan empire Conquered the kingdom of Kalinga, 260 B.C.E. Conquered the kingdom of Kalinga, 260 B.C.E. Developed remorse and renounced future war Developed remorse and renounced future war Ruled through tightly organized bureaucracy Ruled through tightly organized bureaucracy Established capital at Pataliputra Established capital at Pataliputra Policies of encouraging agriculture and trade Policies of encouraging agriculture and trade Converted to Buddhism Converted to Buddhism Established a tolerant rule of righteousness Established a tolerant rule of righteousness Sent out missionaries to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Central Asia Sent out missionaries to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Central Asia Decline of the Mauryan Empire Decline of the Mauryan Empire Ashoka died in 232 B.C.E. Ashoka died in 232 B.C.E. Heirs were not strong and cost of ruling was expensive Heirs were not strong and cost of ruling was expensive Suffered from acute financial and economic difficulties Suffered from acute financial and economic difficulties High cost for maintaining army and bureaucrats High cost for maintaining army and bureaucrats Debasing the currency, not a effective resolution Debasing the currency, not a effective resolution The empire collapsed by 185 B.C.E. The empire collapsed by 185 B.C.E.

10. THE NOMADIC INTERLUDE Northwestern Kingdoms: 200 BCE to 300 CE Northwestern Kingdoms: 200 BCE to 300 CE Indo-European nomads enter India from Central Asia Indo-European nomads enter India from Central Asia Indo-Greeks came from Bactria c. 180 BCE Indo-Greeks came from Bactria c. 180 BCE Indo-Scythians (Sakas) come from C. Asia c. 80 BCE Indo-Scythians (Sakas) come from C. Asia c. 80 BCE Indo-Parthians came from Persia c. 20 CE Indo-Parthians came from Persia c. 20 CE Influenced Indian art, commerce, religion Influenced Indian art, commerce, religion Syncretic blending of Greek culture, Buddhism Syncretic blending of Greek culture, Buddhism Indians saw them as foreigners, impure barbarians Indians saw them as foreigners, impure barbarians Linked India to the Silk Road, China, Western Asia Linked India to the Silk Road, China, Western Asia Became “Indianized” over time Became “Indianized” over time The Kushans The Kushans Indo-Europeans pushed out of China Indo-Europeans pushed out of China Took over Scythians, Central Asia, Northwestern India Took over Scythians, Central Asia, Northwestern India Dominated Silk Road trade between Mediterranean, China Dominated Silk Road trade between Mediterranean, China Adopted Buddhism, blended with Greek, Persian traditions Adopted Buddhism, blended with Greek, Persian traditions Gandaran art style was a major artistic period Gandaran art style was a major artistic period Helped facilitate spread of Buddhism back to China Helped facilitate spread of Buddhism back to China

11. THE GUPTAS The Gupta Dynasty: 320 CE to 550 CE The Gupta Dynasty: 320 CE to 550 CE India was controlled by regional kingdoms India was controlled by regional kingdoms The Gupta state rose to power in Magadha The Gupta state rose to power in Magadha Chandra Gupta founded the new dynasty Chandra Gupta founded the new dynasty Gupta dynasty was relatively decentralized Gupta dynasty was relatively decentralized Local rulers had great power Local rulers had great power Guptan rulers reigned but did not rule Guptan rulers reigned but did not rule Guptan rulers acquired divine right status Guptan rulers acquired divine right status An Indian Golden Age An Indian Golden Age Guptas supported revival of Hinduism Guptas supported revival of Hinduism During this age Hinduism took its major form During this age Hinduism took its major form Guptas supported arts, sciences, mathematics Guptas supported arts, sciences, mathematics Gupta decline Gupta decline Invasion of White Huns weakened the empire Invasion of White Huns weakened the empire After 5th century C.E., Gupta dynasty ruled in name only After 5th century C.E., Gupta dynasty ruled in name only Large regional kingdoms dominated political life in India Large regional kingdoms dominated political life in India

12. POPULAR HINDUISM The epics The epics Mahabharata Mahabharata A secular poem revised by brahmin scholars A secular poem revised by brahmin scholars Honored Vishnu, the preserver of the world Honored Vishnu, the preserver of the world The Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita A short poetic work within the Mahabharata A short poetic work within the Mahabharata A dialogue between the god Vishnu and Prince Arjuna A dialogue between the god Vishnu and Prince Arjuna Illustrated expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation Illustrated expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation Ramayana Ramayana Secular story of Rama and Sita was changed into a Hindu story Secular story of Rama and Sita was changed into a Hindu story Shows extent of spread of Hinduism in region Shows extent of spread of Hinduism in region Hindu ethics Hindu ethics Lower demands for achieving salvation Lower demands for achieving salvation Individuals should meet their responsibilities in detached fashion Individuals should meet their responsibilities in detached fashion Balance of dharma, artha, karma to attain moksha, end samsara Balance of dharma, artha, karma to attain moksha, end samsara Popularity of Hinduism Popularity of Hinduism Became more popular than Buddhism; Buddhism too aesthetic Became more popular than Buddhism; Buddhism too aesthetic The Guptas helped Hinduism become the dominant religion The Guptas helped Hinduism become the dominant religion Guptas placed Brahmins as lead caste above Kshatriyas Guptas placed Brahmins as lead caste above Kshatriyas

13. ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL Towns and manufacturing Towns and manufacturing Towns dotted countryside after 600 B.C.E. Towns dotted countryside after 600 B.C.E. Towns provided manufactured, luxury goods Towns provided manufactured, luxury goods Long-distance trade Long-distance trade Invasions by Persians helped build trade networks Invasions by Persians helped build trade networks Trade with China through silk roads of central Asia Trade with China through silk roads of central Asia Trade in Indian Ocean basin, Africa to Southeast Asia Trade in Indian Ocean basin, Africa to Southeast Asia Spread Buddhism, Hinduism to Central, Southeast Asia Spread Buddhism, Hinduism to Central, Southeast Asia Social and gender relations Social and gender relations Strong patriarchal families; subordination of women to men Strong patriarchal families; subordination of women to men Child marriage placed women under control of old men Child marriage placed women under control of old men Development of caste system Development of caste system New social groups of artisans, craftsmen, and merchants appeared New social groups of artisans, craftsmen, and merchants appeared Individuals of same trade or craft formed a guild; guilds were subcastes, jatis Individuals of same trade or craft formed a guild; guilds were subcastes, jatis Functions of guilds: social security and welfare systems Functions of guilds: social security and welfare systems Wealth and social order Wealth and social order Trade and industry brought prosperity to many vaishyas and shudras Trade and industry brought prosperity to many vaishyas and shudras Old beliefs and values of early Aryan society became increasingly irrelevant Old beliefs and values of early Aryan society became increasingly irrelevant