Classical India
Ch.9 – State and Society in India Political Centralization The Mauryan Empire (321-185 B.C.E.) Under Chandragupta Maurya & Ashoka Maurya - Arthashastra - built roads, collected taxes, displayed Rock and Pillar Edicts - size of bureaucracy led to the fall of the empire
Ch.9 – State and Society in India Political Centralization
Critical Thinking Which specific caste may have taken issue with certain policies of Ashoka? Explain your reasoning.
Ch.9 – State and Society in India Political De-centralization The Gupta Empire (320-550 C.E.) Under Chandra Gupta - leaves local government and administration to regional leaders - invasions by the nomadic White Huns & the usurping of power by regional leaders causes downfall.
PART 1 – Questions for Analysis 1 PART 1 – Questions for Analysis 1. Compare and contrast the Gupta and Mauryan Empires politically. What factors account for the fact that large centralized empires did not “take hold” in India as they did in other parts of the classical world?
PART 2 – Making Connections b. the White Huns & the Yellow Turbans
Ch.9 – State and Society in India Economics Agricultural basis - Ashoka built irrigation canals Manufactured goods Cotton, spices, & gems Long-distance and maritime trade - monsoon system facilitates trade
The Bactrian Camel
PART 2 – Making Connections a. jatis & the Silk Roads
Ch.9 – State and Society in India Religion in India Hinduism - Aryans recognize 4 main castes - practices of early Brahmins The Bhagavad Gita Dharma, Samsara, & Moksha
Ch.9 – State and Society in India Religion in India Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths - The Eightfold Path - dharma The Turning of the Wheel of Law Nirvana is ultimate goal does not recognize class distinctions
Ch.9 – State and Society in India http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g6_u7/
The Spread of Buddhism http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g6_u7/
Representations of the Buddha – Image #1
Footprints of the Buddha
The Swastika su = good asti = to be and ka = making
Image #2
Classical India Critical Thinking Question 2. Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all emerged in India during this period. How did each one appeal to certain groups of people? Identify specific aspects of each faith that were attractive to those groups.
Ch.9 – State and Society in India Social Structure in India The Caste System stratifies society - places males at top as priests Jati or subcastes are created Heavily patriarchal Reinforced by literature - Mahabharata & Ramayana