Classical India

Ajanta Caves Buddhist Stupa Buddhist Stupa

Ajanta Caves 29 Cave’s filled w/ carvings and paintings best representation of Buddhist Art 29 Cave’s filled w/ carvings and paintings best representation of Buddhist Art Built from 2 BCE Built from 2 BCE

Ellora Caves

Ellora

Are caves filled w/ Hinduism, Buddhism, and Janism Beliefs and Practices and were started after the Ajanta Caves were abandoned Are caves filled w/ Hinduism, Buddhism, and Janism Beliefs and Practices and were started after the Ajanta Caves were abandoned 34 caves in total 34 caves in total 12 Buddhist ( AD) 12 Buddhist ( AD) 17 Hindu ( AD) 17 Hindu ( AD) 5 Jain ( AD) 5 Jain ( AD)

Buddhist Ellora

Hindu Ellora

Jain Ellora

Why are these caves an important historical discovery? Why are these caves an important historical discovery? What do they reveal about India’s culture? What do they reveal about India’s culture? Do the caves reveal anything about India socially? Do the caves reveal anything about India socially? How do these drawing and sculpture differ from China’s art? How do these drawing and sculpture differ from China’s art? Questions to Answer

India: Geography India is a peninsula, located on the south Asian subcontinent. India is a peninsula, located on the south Asian subcontinent. Mountains – Himalayas – Hindu Kush – Khyber Pass Mountains – Himalayas – Hindu Kush – Khyber Pass Deccan Plateau Deccan Plateau Indo-Gangatic Plains – Delta Indo-Gangatic Plains – Delta Rivers – The Indus and Ganges Rivers make up a large area that stretches 1,500 miles across Northern India called the Indus- Ganges Plain. Rivers – The Indus and Ganges Rivers make up a large area that stretches 1,500 miles across Northern India called the Indus- Ganges Plain. Monsoons (winds) – Winter (October to May) – Summer (June to September) – Problems Monsoons (winds) – Winter (October to May) – Summer (June to September) – Problems

Effect of Geography India open to influences from the early civilizations of the Middle East and the Mediterranean India open to influences from the early civilizations of the Middle East and the Mediterranean Allowed for interaction with Persian Empire, which affected art and political ideas Allowed for interaction with Persian Empire, which affected art and political ideas invasion by Alexander the Great brought Hellenistic culture invasion by Alexander the Great brought Hellenistic culture Despite connections with other civilizations, India had relative isolation because of surrounding mountains that set it apart from the rest of Asia Despite connections with other civilizations, India had relative isolation because of surrounding mountains that set it apart from the rest of Asia – subcontinent geological divisions within the subcontinent made full unity difficult – subcontinent geological divisions within the subcontinent made full unity difficult

Effect of Geography led to greater diversity than found in China led to greater diversity than found in China Regions: Regions: Agricultural regions of Indus and Ganges Agricultural regions of Indus and Ganges Herding economy of mountainous northern regions Herding economy of mountainous northern regions Trading and seafaring economy in the south controlled by the Tamils Trading and seafaring economy in the south controlled by the Tamils coastal rim separated from the rest of the country by mountains and the Deccan plateau coastal rim separated from the rest of the country by mountains and the Deccan plateau racial, cultural and language differences racial, cultural and language differences

Ancient Indus Valley Civilizations The origins of this civilization are mysterious as their writing has yet to be deciphered. By 3200 B.C. people were farming. By 2500 B.C. sophisticated cites were being built. (Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro) Cities were in a precise grid pattern A fortified citadel contained major buildings. Residential districts Oven-baked bricks were cut in standard sizes. Plumbing and sewage systems Indicates a strong central government Culture &Trade Uniform housing = limited social classes Merchants used seals to identify their goods (some found in Sumeria) Few weapons of warfare found A Mysterious End in 1500 B.C. (POOF) 1750 BC quality of work declined Archaeologists theories Possibly wore out the land River shifted it’s path Natural disaster or invasion Mohenjo-Daro Harappa

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Aryan Influence Origin: The Aryans were light-skinned, Indo- European nomadic hunters and herders from central and northern Asia who adopted agriculture in the plains of the Indus and Ganges River Arrival: Around 1500 BC, these tribes migrated south through Khyber Pass

Aryan Influence Contributions: Contributions: Literary epics developed by Aryans –Vedas the sacred books of Hinduism Literary epics developed by Aryans –Vedas the sacred books of Hinduism entrenched Aryan ideas about society and family and began to give shape to the Caste system entrenched Aryan ideas about society and family and began to give shape to the Caste system Caste system (Varna) – has been suggested that the caste system was a way of allowing the newcomers (Aryans) to coexist with the native populations (seen as inferior) Caste system (Varna) – has been suggested that the caste system was a way of allowing the newcomers (Aryans) to coexist with the native populations (seen as inferior) Sanskrit – written language Sanskrit – written language

Caste System

Social Classes: Varnas Social Classes: Varnas In order to separate Aryans from non- Aryans, a Rigid Class System emerged. In order to separate Aryans from non- Aryans, a Rigid Class System emerged. Varna or skin color was a distinguishing feature of this system Varna or skin color was a distinguishing feature of this system

As time went on, people were born into their caste for life. Caste determines: The job you hold The person you marry The people with whom you eat The clothes you wear

Caste System Today

Hinduism Origin Combination of indigenous religions of India and Aryan religions brought to India around 1500 BCE Texts codified in the Vedas and the Upanishads, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism

Hinduism Beliefs &Goals Beliefs &Goals Moshka= release from repeated reincarnation (rebirth of the soul) Moshka= release from repeated reincarnation (rebirth of the soul) Karma – good or bad deeds – follows you through reincarnation Karma – good or bad deeds – follows you through reincarnation Dharma – the duties and obligation of your caste Dharma – the duties and obligation of your caste Deities worshipped at shrines the divine trinity, representing the cyclical nature of the universe, are Brahma the creator Vishnu the preserver Shiva the destroyer

Rig Veda 1000 B.C The Rigveda is the oldest surviving religious text in world ( BC)

Buddhism Founded: Founded: in southern Nepal in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C.E in southern Nepal in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C.E Siddharta Gautama, known as the Buddha (Enlightened One) Siddharta Gautama, known as the Buddha (Enlightened One) Because he believed that life was about more than material wealth and argued against the caste system Because he believed that life was about more than material wealth and argued against the caste system Key Beliefs Key Beliefs meditation and the practice of good religious and moral behavior meditation and the practice of good religious and moral behavior leads to Nirvana, the state of enlightenment leads to Nirvana, the state of enlightenment Reincarnation – the soul is reborn over and over based on Karma Reincarnation – the soul is reborn over and over based on Karma Dharma- job/ duty or moral obligation to society Dharma- job/ duty or moral obligation to society In Buddhist symbolism, the lotus represents purity of body, speech, and mind, floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire.

Four Noble Truths Four Noble Truths Life is full of pain and suffering. Life is full of pain and suffering. Human desire causes this suffering. Human desire causes this suffering. By putting an end to desire, humans can end suffering. By putting an end to desire, humans can end suffering. Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path. Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path Wheel of Life represents the endless cycle of life through reincarnation. Each of its eight spokes represents one of the teachings of the Eightfold Path.

The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path

Two major empires of Classical India The Mauryan and Gupta Empires The Mauryan Empire 321 B.C. – 232 B.C. The Mauryan Empire 321 B.C. – 232 B.C. Founder: Chandragupta Maurya Founder: Chandragupta Maurya Defeats Alexander the Great (Greece) Defeats Alexander the Great (Greece) United India under one ruler United India under one ruler Set up bureaucracy - included a postal service Set up bureaucracy - included a postal service

KautilyaKautilya  Chandragupta’s advisor.  Brahmin caste.  Wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the Arthashastra.  A guide for the king and his ministers:  Supports royal power.  The great evil in society is anarchy.  Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when necessary!

Asoka’s Empire

Ashoka – B.C. – Chandragupta’s grandson Ashoka – B.C. – Chandragupta’s grandson Greatest ruler of Mauryan Greatest ruler of Mauryan Following a bitter battle with heavy casualties, he coverts to Buddhism. Following a bitter battle with heavy casualties, he coverts to Buddhism. Religious Toleration – still honors Hinduism Religious Toleration – still honors Hinduism Sends missionaries out to spread Buddhism Sends missionaries out to spread Buddhism Built extensive road network Built extensive road network Planted trees Planted trees Every 9 miles dug a well and built rest houses Every 9 miles dug a well and built rest houses Decline Decline Imperial kingdoms regain independence following Asoka’s death Imperial kingdoms regain independence following Asoka’s death

Women Under an Asoka tree

Asoka’s law code  Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan.  Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic.  10 rock edicts.  Each pillar [stupa] is 40’-50’ high.  Buddhist principles dominate his laws.

One of Asoka’s Stupas

Turmoil & a power Vacuum: 220 BCE – 320 CE Tamils The Maurya Empire is divided into many kingdoms.

Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE

Gupta Dynasty CE Founder: Founder: Chandra Gupta I (no relation to Mauryan dynasty) Chandra Gupta I (no relation to Mauryan dynasty) Under the next 3 Emperors Under the next 3 Emperors peace and prosperity enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors. peace and prosperity enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors.

Chandragupta II ( CE) Chandragupta II ( CE) The Golden Age of India (next slide) The Golden Age of India (next slide) Expands Empire Expands Empire Decline Decline Starts w/ the death of CG II Starts w/ the death of CG II series of invasions by the Huns, not unified again until 700 CE by Muslim Invaders series of invasions by the Huns, not unified again until 700 CE by Muslim Invaders

The Gupta Empire: India’s Golden Age Math concept of zero decimal system based on the number 10 Calculated the value of pi (3.14) Arabic Numerals (0-9) Medicine Herbal remedies vaccine against smallpox Architecture Stone temples to gods Stupas (shrines)

Arts & Literature Gupta literature consists of fables and folktales written in Sanskrit. Arts & Literature Gupta literature consists of fables and folktales written in Sanskrit. stories spread west to Persia, Egypt, and Greece stories spread west to Persia, Egypt, and Greece became the basis for many Islamic literary works such as, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp. became the basis for many Islamic literary works such as, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp. Nalanda (Nadala) University Major center for math, science, astronomy, art and literature

KalidasaKalidasa  The greatest of Indian poets.  His most famous play was Shakuntala.  During the reign of Chandra Gupta II.

Medicine Literature Mathematics Astronomy Printed medicinal guides 1000 diseases classified Plastic Surgery C-sections performed Inoculations 500 healing plants identified Decimal System Concept of Zero PI = Kalidasa Solar Calendar The earth is round Gupta India Gupta Achievements

Gupta Art Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

Extensive Trade: 4c Extensive Trade: 4c spices spices gold & ivory rice & wheat horses cotton goods silks

International Trade Routes during the Guptas