1. State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India
Chapter 9

2. Empire in Classical India
Large regional kingdoms, but none with hegemony over others
Learned administration methods from Persians
Alexander the Great invaded, but within 200 years, withdrew leaving political vacuum
Kingdom of Magadha became wealthy, conquered others and gained economic control

3. Chandragupta Maurya -> foundation for empire (centralized, unified)
Relied on advisor: bureaucracy, spies, control of trade and agriculture, foreign relations
Abdicated to become ascetic monk
297 BCE: succeeded by son, expanded

4. Ashoka Maurya 268-232 BCE: grandson, Ashoka ruled
conquered Kalinga (who controlled trade routes) – very bloody
Good at governing:
bureaucracy,
cosmopolitan capital (Pataliputra),
stone and pillar edicts,
well-integrated (stable and rich – irrigation agriculture and trade roads with shade, wells, and inns)

5. Decline of the Mauryan Empire
232 BCE: Ashoka died and empire declined within 50 years
Economic problems: bureaucrats’ salaries too high, currency debased

6. Regional Kingdoms & Revival of Empire
Kingdoms re-formed, while NW was under control of Greek-speaking Bactrian kingdom
Acted as middlemen between China and Mediterranean trade through Taxila
Kushans invaded and took over Bactria, forming an empire
Facilitated trade between India and silk roads by keeping the peace

7. The Gupta Dynasty
Chandra Gupta laid foundations for empire through family alliances and formed kingdom
Expanded, forming and empire (took over some, form tributary alliances with others)
Smaller than Maurya with different organization
More decentralized (local admin. And basic policy left to regional allies)
Created period of stability
and prosperity

8. Gupta Decline Invasion of White Huns (C. Asian nomads)
Fought them at first, but at high cost
Established kingdoms throughout N and W India
Gupta continued as name was used by regional leaders
-> back to regional kingdoms

9. Economic Development: Towns & Trade
Towns: marketplaces for manufactured goods and luxury items
Trade along rivers, Ashoka’s roads, and sea routes (monsoon winds(
Increased as other empires developed more manufacturing (Persia, Greece, China)
Exports: cotton, aromatics, black pepper,
pearls, gems
Imports: horses and bullion (W), silk (E),
spices (SE Asia)

10. Family Life Strong patriarchal families and social order
Nuclear families
Women were subordinate (weak-willed, emotional)
Increased in C.E. -> child marriage

11. Caste System
With increase in trade, new groups formed who didn’t fit system (merchants and artisans)
Formed guilds who lived together in neighborhoods, socialized, intermarried = jati
Jati organized courts to deal with members (could be expelled -> low, unclean)
Jati took on role of central government
Wealth challenged social order as lower groups prospered through trade and industry

12. Religions of Salvation in Classical Indi
Importance of brahmins decreased and resentment increased
-> emergence of new religions and philosophies in 6th and 5th centuries BCE

13. Jainism
Founder = Vardhamana Mahavita: left home, ascetic, enlightenment
Disciples formed monastic order and spread his message
Doctrine from Upanishads: everything has a soul, suffering, be pure from selfish behavior (ahimsa) to be released
Difficult, because all
occupations involve violence

14. Jainism (cont.)
Appeal: no social hierarchy -> popular with low castes, plus merchants, scholars, etc. who did little violence
Never became too popular, but influenced Hinduism, Buddhism, Gandhi, MLK, Jr.

15. Early Buddhism
534 BCE: Siddhartha Gautama became ascetic in search of enlightenment and explanation of suffering
Through meditation and extreme asceticism, received it and became the Buddha
Gave sermons (Deer Park) and attracted followers organized in monastic order

16. Early Buddhism (cont.) Doctrine: 4 noble truths
All life involves suffering
Desire causes suffering
Elimination of desire will eliminate suffering
Eliminate desire by following the Eightfold Path (right behavior, etc.)
Eventually, escape cycle of reincarnation -> nirvana

17. Early Buddhism Appeal: No caste system, less emphasis on asceticism
Used vernacular language
Focal points = holy sites
Organization – monasteries
Support of Ashoka (Kalinga, banned sacrifice, land grants, stupas and monasteries, pilgrimages, missionaries)

18. Mahayana Buddhism
Still, difficult to live it completely -> 3 changes made it easier
Buddha = God (devotional focus)
Boddhistava to help guide members
Monasteries accepted gifts for salvation
(also, became education centers)
=> Mahayana (the greater vehicle) (traditional = Theravada)
Spread throughout C. Asia, China, Japan, Korea

19. Popular Hinduism Based on Vedas and Upanishads
Evolved to a religion of salvation that addressed needs of ordinary people
Values found in Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavad Gita
Featured Vishnu
Values = fulfilling caste responsibilities,
subservience of women

20. Popular Hinduism (cont.)
Appeal: promise of salvation for following caste system, support of Guptas => displaced Buddhism in India
4 components:
Dharma: obedience to laws
Artha: pursuit of economic well-being
Kama: enjoyment of pleasure
Moksha: salvation through balance of dharma, artha, and kama)