Classical India Foundations: 600 BCE – 600 CE Origins in India

‘Periods’ Harrapans (river valley) Harrapans (river valley) Aryans (invasion from NW) BCE Aryans (invasion from NW) BCE Invaded by Alexander the Great BCE Invaded by Alexander the Great BCE Divided into regional states Divided into regional states United; Mauryan Dynasty 321 – 230s BCE United; Mauryan Dynasty 321 – 230s BCE Invaded by Kushans (ended by 220 CE) Invaded by Kushans (ended by 220 CE) Divided into regions Divided into regions Gupta Dynasty CE Gupta Dynasty CE Huns invade 450 CE Huns invade 450 CE

Influences of Geography Partially separated from Asia by Himalayas (Khyber Pass - Indo- Europeans) Partially separated from Asia by Himalayas (Khyber Pass - Indo- Europeans) Monsoon: wind patterns; cause rain in summer essential for farming Monsoon: wind patterns; cause rain in summer essential for farming Close proximity to Middle East Close proximity to Middle East Himalayas - herding society Himalayas - herding society

Aryan Migration/invasion Years vary from book to book but approximately B CE

Chandragupta: BCE  Unified northern India - Created the Mauryan Dynasty  Before: 16 major states; led by warriors, princes and priests  Autocratic, military based rule  Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement.  Bureaucracy  301 BCE  gave up his throne & became religious  Grandson Ashoka the Great

Ashoka (273 – 232 BCE)  Religious conversion after the gruesome battle of Kalinga in 262 BCE.  Dedicated his life to Buddhism - Promoted Buddhism; tolerated Hinduism  Built extensive roads for trade  Conflict  balance methods of keeping power and Buddha’s demands to of a selfless person?

Invaded by Kushans, then a power Vacuum : 220 BCE – 320 CE Tamils The Maurya Empire is divided into many kingdoms.

The Gupta Empire Height of Classical India Height of Classical India 320 CE CE 320 CE CE Favored negotiations over war Favored negotiations over war Greatest period of political stability Greatest period of political stability –Still dependent on regional princes –No powerful individual rulers

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 = Mus/ChrisBible Solar Calendar The earth is round Gupta India Gupta Achievements

What is the Caste System? How was Society Divided? Created by the Indo-Europeans Created by the Indo-Europeans Organized into special groups (castes) that determined everything from your job, to your political rights, to your religious beliefs, and who you would marry Organized into special groups (castes) that determined everything from your job, to your political rights, to your religious beliefs, and who you would marry

Varna (Social Hierarchy) Shudras Vaishyas Kshatriyas Brahmins Pariahs- Untouchables priests, scholars and teachers warriors and rulers traders and agriculturists manual workers Within each Varna are Jati, smaller groups which you are to socialize and marry within, often based on jobs