Geography of India Separated from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges. Most important agricultural regions are along the Ganges and the Indus During the Vedic and Epic ages, the Aryans (Indo-Europeans) helped create Indian culture. Caste system, Sanskrit and other belief systems introduced.

Maurya Dynasty First to unify much of the subcontinent Chandragupta seized power along the Ganges in 322 BCE. He maintained large armies. Mauryan rulers developed a bureaucracy, sponsoring a postal service.

Maurya Dynasty Chandragupta was autocratic, relying on military and personal power. This is a political style that would resurface throughout Indian history. Ashoka extended Mauryan conquests and gained control of all but the southern tip of India through fierce fighting. o He improved trade and communication. o Stability and expansion encouraged growing commerce. o His decline leads to periods of instability.

Gupta Dynasty Produced no individual rulers, but had a greater impact. Provides stability. Produced several generals able to conquer regional states through central and western India. Gupta rulers often preferred to negotiate with local princes and intermarry with their families, which expanded their influence without constant fighting. Two centuries produced a great period of political instability.

Political Institutions Regionalism, plus considerable diversity in political forms. Autocratic kings and emperors came and went, but there were also aristocratic assemblies in some regional states with the power to consult and decide on major issues.

Caste System Promoted tolerance, allowing widely different social classes to live next to each other, separated by social structures. Loyalty to caste superseded loyalty to any overall ruler. Religion, particularly Hinduism, was the only uniting influence.

Caste System Took place during the Vedic and Epic Ages (Aryans) and developed literature and religion— served as a basis for Hindu beliefs. 4 (5) castes developed. (Brahmins, warriors, farmers/merchants, servants, untouchables). Castes system and religious encouragement to the faithful performance of caste duties did for Indian life what more conventional government structures did in many other cultures public order providing network of rules to live life

Hinduism– Ethnic Religion One of the world’s oldest religions Developed over centuries Not based on one person Not based on a specific text Many different beliefs and practices Many Gods and Goddesses View ALL life as sacred Stress unity of all things

Hinduism Reincarnation Soul continues through a series of lives on the way to union with eternal spirit The sum of a person’s past lives is the person’s Karma. You can have good Karma or bad Karma

Hinduism Reincarnation Every person has a dharma, or special duty in life. If they carry out their dharma well, they will move up into the next caste, in their next life. If they do NOT carry out their dharma well, they will move down.

Buddhism Founded on the teachings of an Indian Prince, Siddhartha Gautama, later called Buddha or “enlightened one.” 560 BCE Left palace and family to gain spiritual enlightenment. Buddha accepted many Hindu beliefs but rejected its priests and the caste system.

Buddhism Four noble truths All life is characterized by suffering. Suffering originates in craving/wanting. Stopping craving/wanting ends suffering. Follow the 8 fold path. Right views, intentions, speech, conduct etc. End result is Nirvana

Economy and Society Caste system—Assigns people to occupations and regulated marriage possibilities. Family life also emphasized the theme of hierarchy, tight organization and formed economic units. The economy becomes extremely vigorous, certainly rivaling China in technological sophistication.

Economy and Society In manufacturing, Indians invented new uses for chemistry and their steel was the best in the world Emphasis on trade and merchant activity was far greater than in China, and indeed greater than that of the classical Mediterranean world. Still remained largely agricultural at its base.