 Geography benefited the northern empires because: › Mountains kept out invaders › Indus and Ganges Rivers provided water and fertile soil

 Efficient central government allowed faring and trade to prosper  Provided a stable background for advances in learning and arts  Central government gave great power to local leaders  Local leaders elected by merchants and artisans  Women were not allowed to serve on councils

 Hinduism had strong influence on Gupta life  Gupta dynasty promoted Hinduism  Village life effect through the caste system  Had effect on culture and intellectual achievements

 People believed that Karma (all the good and bad things they had done in life) determined their caste  People could not change their caste in their lifetime but could be born into a new one  The Untouchables were outcasts who lived harsh lives  Untouchables were given “impure”jobs  Untouchables had to live apart from Gupta society

 Zero and decimal system  Arabic numerals  Medicines  Stupas, large dome shaped shrines

 After fall of Han Dynasty, China was divided for nearly 400 years until Tang Taizon took power and established the Tang Dynasty  Ruled China from  Forced Vietnam, Tibet and Korea to send tribute  Corruption, drought and rebellion contributed to collapse of Tang China

 960 AD Zhao Kuangyin united China under Song Dynasty  China prospered under Song rule  Eventually Mongols from the north invaded and conquered the Song Dynasty in 1279

 Set up schools to prepare for civil service exam = highly educated ruling class

 Land reform: Redistributed land to peasants  Paper money  The grand canal – linking the Huang He and Yangzi  Calligraphy- fine handwriting’  Porcelain  Influenced Japanese life