1. Classical India

2. Geography of India  India much closer to other civilizations- trade with Middle East and later with China * Topography- Himalayas in the north separated it from the rest of Asia  Most important agricultural regions- Ganges and Indus rivers  Divisions within the subcontinent made full unity difficult  Summer brings monsoon rains, crucial for farming- but monsoon unreliable

3. Vedic and Epic ages (c. 1500- 1000 BCE)  Aryans (Indo-European) migrants- hunting and herding peoples originally from central Asia  Vedas- sacred books of the Aryans  o Rig-Veda- 1028 hymns dedicated to the Aryan gods  o Mahabharata- India’s greatest epic poem  o Ramayana  o Upanishads- epic poems with a more mystical religious flavor  Encouraged tight levels of village organization  Indian caste system takes shape- partly because Aryan invaders saw indigenous people as inferior

4. Mauryan Dynasty  322 BCE soldier named Chandragupta Maurya seized power along the Ganges River (in reaction to Alexander the Great pushing in)  Maintained large armies, substantial bureaucracy (postal service)  Autocratic style of government- relying on ruler’s personal and military power  Ashoka (269-232 BCE) - Chandragupta’s grandson extended Mauryan control; converted to Buddhism and spread Buddhism throughout much of India; improved trade and communication  After Ashoka the empire began to fall apart and regional kingdoms surfaced again  Kushans- invaders who took over for a brief period until 220 CE

6. Indian Stupa

7. Gupta  Starting in 320 CE (after period of instability) new large empire  Great impact- expanded influence without constant fighting; greatest period of political stability Overturned in 535 CE by the Huns

9. Political Institutions  Strong regionalism, which meant that even great empires had a weak foundation  Political culture not elaborate- no formal political theory and few institutions or values that carried over  Caste rules, interpreted by priests, regulated many social relationships and work roles  o Divided from five classes to over 300  o Stronger hereditary principles  o Allowed India’s people to live together without perpetual conflict  o Because of the loyalty to these rules, no state could command similar loyalty  Religion was the cement !!

10. Economy  Economy became vigorous- rivaling China  New uses for chemistry- steel the best in the world  Emphasis on trade and merchant activity far greater than in China  Merchants enjoyed relatively high caste status and flexibility  Remained agricultural at its base

11. Trade in the Ancient World  Theme of the Era- increased trade networks and communication  Trade often conducted by nomads living along the trade routes  3 networks: Silk Road, Indian Ocean, Saharan Trade  Goods, Inventions, Culture diffused- i.e. the stirrup  Technological inventions in sailing- i.e. the lateen sail in the Indian Ocean

12. Hinduism  Origins in the Vedic and Epic Ages  No founder, no central figure so it unfolded gradually  Encouraged economic and political goals  Very tolerant  Upanishads- stressed the shallowness of worldly concerns  Provided several channels for the good life  Supplied some unity  Allowed people to hold on to some older rituals

13. Buddhism  C. 563 BCE Siddhartha Gautama was born  Argued for the individual and went against the caste system and the priests  Wasn’t able to hold a strong portion of India ultimately

14. Other Cultural Developments  Indian thinkers wrote actively about human life  Important work in math and science  Vast university center (Guptas)  Strides in astronomy and medicine  Numbering system is the one we use today  Concept of zero and negative numbers  Lively art including stupas- shrines to Buddha

15. Society  Caste system  Family life also emphasized the them of hierarchy and tight organization  Dominance of husbands and fathers  Arranged marriages  Women, however, were celebrated in stories and theory was much harsher than practice

16. Influence of Classical India  Indian ocean dominated by Indian merchants  India had considerable political influence  Many Indian merchants married into wealthy royal families in SE Asia  Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism