CCOT ESSAY CHANGE AND CONTINUITY OVER TIME

Essay Question Analyze the cultural and political changes and continuities in the Mauryan and Gupta civilizations during the centuries of the classical era

Rubric Thesis (1 point) Evidence and support for argument Supports thesis with specific evidence (1 point) Thesis driven (1 point) Historical Thinking Skill Describes continuity and change over time (1 point) Analyzes specific examples of continuities and changes over time (1 point) Synthesis (1 point)

Thesis Must be in introduction Must contain: Valid change Valid continuity Time period Region/location

TIME PERIOD = CLASSICAL ERA (600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.) Essay Question TOPIC Analyze the cultural and political changes and continuities in the Mauryan and Gupta civilizations during the centuries of the classical era REGION = INDIA TIME PERIOD = CLASSICAL ERA (600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.)

Change Words Continuity Words Constant Changed Persistent Altered The same Continuous Changed Altered Transformed Lessened/ intensified

Timeline for India Gupta Empire Mauryan Empire (320- 550 C.E.) Local Kingdoms (no empire) Gupta Empire (320- 550 C.E.) Mauryan Empire (322 B.C.E. – 184 B.C.E.)

India after the collapse of the Mauryan Empire

Cultural CONTINUITIES Continuity Reason Importance of religion/Hinduism Religion is promoted by both the Mauryan and Gupta empires Hinduism remained a major religion in India (gods/ goddesses important; caste system provided way of life)

Other Cultural CONTINUITIES Continuity Reason Importance of trade Patriarchy Demand for goods remains high which promotes both land and sea trade No significant improvement in lives of women which kept patriarchies strong

Cultural CHANGES Change Reason For awhile Buddhism gains prominence but by end of time period decline of Buddhism and revival of Hinduism Buddhism changed and eventually fused with Hinduism Mauryans (Asoka) promoted Buddhism Guptas promoted Hinduism Buddhism went against initial teachings After collapse of Mauryan Empire, disorder may have caused people to see Buddha as more of a god Revival of Hinduism -incorporated Siddhartha as one of their gods to accommodate Buddhist influences

Cultural CHANGES Change Reason Under Guptas, cultural achievements intensified (golden age) Education led to advances in math, medicine, literature

Global Context Expansion of trade routes provided motivation for Indian advances (cotton, sugar, spices in high demand) Indian advances in turn continued to spread along trade routes (Hindi numerals, concept of 0, smallpox vaccine)

political CONTINUITIES Continuity Reason Empires organized by strong rulers Strong rulers able to unite large land area (Chandragupta Maurya, Chandra Gupta)

political CHANGES Change Reason Guptas were more decentralized and smaller in size Over time, less focus on political aspects (expansion/power) and more focus on cultural aspects (education, advances) Strong tradition of local/regional rule due to cultural, ethnic, linguistic diversity Mauryans were large, powerful, large bureaucracy, laws (military conquest, secret police) Guptas left some decision making in the hands of local rulers

Global Context In Eurasia, empires were growing in size, power and influence which provided motivation for organization of Indian empires Invasions put an end to both Mauryan and Gupta empires

Sample Thesis Throughout the classical era in India, focus on political power and expansion lessened as focus on cultural advances intensified. While Hinduism consistently remained important , over time the influence of Buddhism declined as the influence of Hinduism strengthened. Meanwhile, leaders continued to use religion to guide their government.

Sample Thesis During the classical era, the Mauryan and Gupta empires changed politically and culturally over time. At the beginning of this time period, India was politically centralized under the Mauryan Empire. By the end of the classical era, India was decentralized and separated into several kingdoms. Culturally, the religions changed from Hinduism to Buddhism and then back to Hinduism. Despite the change to Buddhism under the Mauryans, Hinduism remained a major religion for the Indian people.

Sample Thesis Throughout classical India, government was characterized by shifts between local and centralized rule. However, over time Indian empires focused less on political power and expansion and focused more on cultural advances. While Hinduism consistently remained important , over time the influence of Buddhism declined as the influence of Hinduism strengthened. In addition, leaders continued to use religion to guide their government.

Synthesis While these political and cultural changes were taking place in India, their economy was expanding over time. India was a major producer of cotton and spices which were in high demand in other places. As India culturally expanded and had a golden age, their new innovations, such as crystallized sugar, drove trade routes even further. India became a major participant in Indian Ocean trade.

Synthesis While these developments were taking place in classical India, other areas of the world were also building empires. The Roman Empire began as a republic, giving power to its people, but over time it evolved into a major empire ruling over most of Europe. Just like Indian empires, Rome declined due to outside invaders and Europe became politically decentralized. Despite these changes, Rome remained a cultural center for Europe producing major architectural and engineering advances. This is Christina’s global context