1. Foundations, Politics, and Culture
Classical India
Foundations, Politics, and Culture

2. The Indian Subcontinent
India has three topographical zones:
Northern mountainous zone
Indus and Ganges Basins
The peninsula - divided into another four sub-regions

3. Social System Origins Aryan migrants create social order
Migrated south from central Asia
Hereditary- defines societal roles and occupation
Varna = “color” - racial differences
becomes the castes
Based upon idea that people are different, should have different roles

5. Four Varnas Brahmans / Priests - intellectual and spiritual leaders
Kshatriya / Warriors and aristocrats - protectors of society
Vaishyas / Merchants, farmers, artisans - skilled producers
Shundras / unskilled labor
Untouchables - outside of caste system

7. Characteristics
Caste defined occupation, diet, social interactions, style of dress
Shundras, untouchables excluded - could not read/hear Vedas
Duty of monarch to maintain system
Lack of individualism

8. Hinduism unifying force not monolithic – allowed religious diversity
No single founder or central holy figure
Karma – worldly pleasured
Dharma – religious path
Divinities
Brahma – the creator
Shiva – the destroyer
Vishnu – the preserver
Reincarnation
Cremation

9. Buddhism Monks Monistaries
Sidarttha Gautama (ca 563–483 B.C.E.)
Buddha = enlightened one
rejected caste system
Emphasized self-control
Materialism caused suffering
Nirvana = state of enlightenment
Monks
Monistaries
Spread religion to China, Korea, Japan, & Sri Lanka

10. Historical Patterns in India
Culture: Caste system / Hinduism preserves social system across history
Economics: Trade becomes a constant - part of Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, and more
Politics: eras of invasion and conquest by foreigners, large empires then falls into regional kingdoms 

11. Mauryan Empire Kingdom of Magadha expands under Chandragupta
324 BCE BCE
Early outside influences
Alexander the Great Invades in 327 BCE - destroyed all regional kingdoms
Kingdom of Magadha expands under Chandragupta
Defeats remnants of Alexanders army

12. Ashoka Converted to Buddhism - spreads it around India
Conquered most of sub-continent
Encouraged trade, expanded agriculture, built roads
Converted to Buddhism - spreads it around India
Used Rock and Pillar Edicts to proclaim his rule
Mauryan declines after his death

14. Gupta Empire (320-500 CE) Founded by Maharaja Sri Gupta
Considered Golden Age of India
advances in math and astronomy
Decentralized government (contrast to Mauryan)
Left regional control to local leaders

15. Hindu Revival - Gupta
Decline of Mauryan Empire = decline of Buddhism in India
Brahmans make it more appealing to common people
Stressed importance of personal worship, devotion to individual gods
Karma acquired by completion of caste duties / obligations

16. Supported Hinduism - restored Brahmans in gov’t
Extensive building of temples
Caste system reasserted / solidified into Indian culture - more rigid
Expanded with new Jatis
Further restrictions put on Untouchables