1. CLASSICAL INDIA FROM THE MAURYANS TO THE GUPTAS

2. THE LATE VEDIC AGE The Vedic Age: 1500 – 500 BCE The Vedic Age: 1500 – 500 BCE Name from Vedas, which records history Name from Vedas, which records history Began with Aryan migration into India Began with Aryan migration into India Aryans pushed into Ganges, up to Deccan Aryans pushed into Ganges, up to Deccan Eventually nomadic Aryans settled down Eventually nomadic Aryans settled down Ruled local inhabitants (dasas, Dravidians) Ruled local inhabitants (dasas, Dravidians) Social Classes evolved into Castes Social Classes evolved into Castes Increasing rigidity of class and gender rules Increasing rigidity of class and gender rules Separation justified by religious teachings Separation justified by religious teachings Ganges Republics (mahajanapadas): 900 – 500 BCE Ganges Republics (mahajanapadas): 900 – 500 BCE Generally 16 larger states dominated Indus-Ganges Region Generally 16 larger states dominated Indus-Ganges Region Republics dominated by kshatriyans (warrior-rulers) Republics dominated by kshatriyans (warrior-rulers) States vied for power constantly with each other States vied for power constantly with each other Within states, kshatriyans vied for power with rulers Within states, kshatriyans vied for power with rulers Rulers performed social, religious rituals Rulers performed social, religious rituals Magahda was one of the most dominant of the states Magahda was one of the most dominant of the states

3. BRAHMANISM Vedic Religion Vedic Religion Originally polytheistic, similar to the Greeks Originally polytheistic, similar to the Greeks Oral traditions eventually written down as Vedas Oral traditions eventually written down as Vedas Vedas contain history, hymns, rituals of Aryans Vedas contain history, hymns, rituals of Aryans Upanishads and Brahmins Upanishads and Brahmins Brahmin priests interpreted the Vedas Brahmin priests interpreted the Vedas Very intellectual and esoteric Very intellectual and esoteric Brahmins acquired great influence in population Brahmins acquired great influence in population A Religion of Rituals, Sacrifices, Duties A Religion of Rituals, Sacrifices, Duties Religion was civic not personal or emotional Religion was civic not personal or emotional Veneration of nature but not a hopeful religion Veneration of nature but not a hopeful religion No popular attachment or emotional to traditions No popular attachment or emotional to traditions The Rigidity of the Caste Systems, Gender Systems The Rigidity of the Caste Systems, Gender Systems Twice-born castes of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisayas had power Twice-born castes of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisayas had power Castes increasingly rigid over time with no changes allowed Castes increasingly rigid over time with no changes allowed Genders increasingly defined and restricted in rights Genders increasingly defined and restricted in rights

4. JAINISM Vardhamana Mahavira Vardhamana Mahavira Born in north India, 540 B.C.E. Born in north India, 540 B.C.E. Left family, searching for salvation from cycle of incarnation Left family, searching for salvation from cycle of incarnation Gained enlightenment, taught an ascetic doctrine Gained enlightenment, taught an ascetic doctrine His disciples began to lead a monastic life His disciples began to lead a monastic life Mahavira became Jina, the "conqueror," and followers, Jains Mahavira became Jina, the "conqueror," and followers, Jains Jainist doctrine and ethics Jainist doctrine and ethics Inspired by the Upanishads Inspired by the Upanishads Everything in the universe possessed a soul Everything in the universe possessed a soul Striving to purify one's selfish behavior to attain a state of bliss Striving to purify one's selfish behavior to attain a state of bliss The principle of ahimsa, nonviolence toward all living things The principle of ahimsa, nonviolence toward all living things Believed that almost all occupations entailed violence of some kind Believed that almost all occupations entailed violence of some kind Too demanding, not a practical alternative to the cult of the brahmins Too demanding, not a practical alternative to the cult of the brahmins Appeal of Jainism Appeal of Jainism Social implication: Individual souls equally participated in ultimate reality Social implication: Individual souls equally participated in ultimate reality The Jains did not recognize social hierarchies of caste and jati The Jains did not recognize social hierarchies of caste and jati Became attractive to members of lower castes Became attractive to members of lower castes The ascetic tradition continues to today The ascetic tradition continues to today

5. EARLY BUDDHISM Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.) Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.) Born in 563 B.C.E. to the Kshatriya caste Born in 563 B.C.E. to the Kshatriya caste Witnessed miseries of the human condition Witnessed miseries of the human condition Gave up his comfortable life Gave up his comfortable life Began searching for enlightenment Began searching for enlightenment Intense meditation and extreme asceticism Intense meditation and extreme asceticism Received enlightenment under the bo tree Received enlightenment under the bo tree The Buddha and his followers The Buddha and his followers "Turning of the Wheel of the Law," 528 B.C.E. "Turning of the Wheel of the Law," 528 B.C.E. Organized followers into a community of monks Organized followers into a community of monks Traveled, preached throughout north India Traveled, preached throughout north India Buddhist doctrine: The dharma Buddhist doctrine: The dharma The Four Noble Truths The Four Noble Truths All life involves suffering All life involves suffering Desire is the cause of suffering Desire is the cause of suffering Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering The Noble Eightfold Path brings the elimination of desire The Noble Eightfold Path brings the elimination of desire The Noble Eightfold Path (“Setting the wheel in motion”) The Noble Eightfold Path (“Setting the wheel in motion”) Right belief, right resolve, right speech, right behavior Right belief, right resolve, right speech, right behavior Right occupation, right effort, right contemplation, and right meditation Right occupation, right effort, right contemplation, and right meditation Religious goal: Nirvana, a state of perfect spiritual independence Religious goal: Nirvana, a state of perfect spiritual independence

6. APPEAL OF BUDDHISM Appealed strongly to members of lower castes Appealed strongly to members of lower castes Salvation without services of the brahmins Salvation without services of the brahmins Did not recognize social hierarchies of castes and jati Did not recognize social hierarchies of castes and jati Appealed to women as all souls considered equal Appealed to women as all souls considered equal Accepted merchants had a role to play in faith Accepted merchants had a role to play in faith Less demanding than Jainism, more popular Less demanding than Jainism, more popular Used vernacular tongues – not Sanskrit Used vernacular tongues – not Sanskrit Holy sites, pilgrimages, festivals Holy sites, pilgrimages, festivals The Sangha: Monastic organizations The Sangha: Monastic organizations Spread the Buddhist message, won converts Spread the Buddhist message, won converts Could be endowed by others to support the religion Could be endowed by others to support the religion Centers of learning, good works, contemplation Centers of learning, good works, contemplation Ashoka's support Ashoka's support Emperor Ashoka became a devout Buddhist, 206 B.C.E. Emperor Ashoka became a devout Buddhist, 206 B.C.E. Banned animal sacrifices in honor of ahimsa Banned animal sacrifices in honor of ahimsa Granted lands to monasteries Granted lands to monasteries Sent missionaries to Bactria and Ceylon Sent missionaries to Bactria and Ceylon

7. SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

8. DEVELOPMENTS Buddhism After Buddha Buddhism After Buddha The Sangha Develops The Sangha Develops Communities of Monks, Nuns Communities of Monks, Nuns Lived according to Buddhist teachers Lived according to Buddhist teachers Made heavy demands on individuals Made heavy demands on individuals Gave up personal property, social standing Gave up personal property, social standing Detaching oneself from worldly pleasures Detaching oneself from worldly pleasures Lived simply, wore orange robes, begged Lived simply, wore orange robes, begged The Laity The Laity Those who liked Buddhism but not ready for full experience Those who liked Buddhism but not ready for full experience Duty was to prepare and support the Sangha Duty was to prepare and support the Sangha On-Going Developments of Buddhism On-Going Developments of Buddhism Many Hindus, some followers saw Buddha as a god Many Hindus, some followers saw Buddha as a god Called a bodhisatva - "an enlightened being" Called a bodhisatva - "an enlightened being" Monasteries accepted gifts from wealthy individuals Monasteries accepted gifts from wealthy individuals Buddhism became more popular, attractive to laity Buddhism became more popular, attractive to laity

9. DIFFERENT BUDDHISMS The Schism of Buddhism The Schism of Buddhism Was he a god or man? Was he a god or man? Buddha was worried this would happen Buddha was worried this would happen Told his followers he was not a god Told his followers he was not a god Theravada Theravada The “Teachings of the Elders The “Teachings of the Elders Maintained older view that Buddha was a man Maintained older view that Buddha was a man Strongly centered on the Sangha Strongly centered on the Sangha Spread first to Sri Lanka by Ashoka’s son Spread first to Sri Lanka by Ashoka’s son Missionaries spread it to Southeast Asia Missionaries spread it to Southeast Asia Mahayana Mahayana Means "the greater vehicle" Means "the greater vehicle" Idea that Buddha is a god, special divine being Idea that Buddha is a god, special divine being Heavily associated with development of Bodhisatva Heavily associated with development of Bodhisatva Adopted by Kushans, spread to Central Asia Adopted by Kushans, spread to Central Asia Merchants carried it to China along Silk Road Merchants carried it to China along Silk Road In China coopted Confucian and Daoist traditions In China coopted Confucian and Daoist traditions In India In India Hinduism began to view Buddha as a god, an avatar of Vishnu Hinduism began to view Buddha as a god, an avatar of Vishnu Buddhism died out in India as it merged with Hinduism Buddhism died out in India as it merged with Hinduism

10. RISE OF MAURYAN EMPIRE Western Intrusions Western Intrusions Intrusions of Persians (520 B.C.E.) Intrusions of Persians (520 B.C.E.) Persians established Indus satrapy Persians established Indus satrapy Introduced imperial government, ruling style, coins Introduced imperial government, ruling style, coins The Greek Interlude (c. 327 B.C.E.) The Greek Interlude (c. 327 B.C.E.) Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Invaded India Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Invaded India Alexander’s withdrawal left a political vacuum Alexander’s withdrawal left a political vacuum Seleucid Empire succeeded to Alexander’s lands in India Seleucid Empire succeeded to Alexander’s lands in India Magadha kingdom filled the vacuum in Ganges Magadha kingdom filled the vacuum in Ganges Chandragupta Maurya Chandragupta Maurya As young prince, held hostage by Greeks, escaped back to India As young prince, held hostage by Greeks, escaped back to India Overthrew Magadha kingdom 321 B.C.E., founds Mauryan Empire Overthrew Magadha kingdom 321 B.C.E., founds Mauryan Empire Conquered the Greek state in Bactria, Selecuid control of Indus Conquered the Greek state in Bactria, Selecuid control of Indus Chandragupta's empire embraced all of northern India Chandragupta's empire embraced all of northern India Chandragupta's government Chandragupta's government Centralized harsh and efficient government Centralized harsh and efficient government Synchronized Persian, Greek, and Hindu ideas into Indian model Synchronized Persian, Greek, and Hindu ideas into Indian model Government procedures devised by Kautalya, the advisor of the empire Government procedures devised by Kautalya, the advisor of the empire The political handbook, Arthashastra, outlined administrative methods The political handbook, Arthashastra, outlined administrative methods

11. ASHOKA Ashoka Maurya (reigned 268-232 B.C.E.) Ashoka Maurya (reigned 268-232 B.C.E.) Chandragupta's grandson Chandragupta's grandson The high point of the Mauryan empire The high point of the Mauryan empire Conquered the kingdom of Kalinga, 260 B.C.E. Conquered the kingdom of Kalinga, 260 B.C.E. Developed remorse and renounced future war Developed remorse and renounced future war Ruled through tightly organized bureaucracy Ruled through tightly organized bureaucracy Established capital at Pataliputra Established capital at Pataliputra Policies of encouraging agriculture and trade Policies of encouraging agriculture and trade Continued emphasis on acceptance of merchants Continued emphasis on acceptance of merchants Converted to Buddhism Converted to Buddhism Established a tolerant rule of righteousness Established a tolerant rule of righteousness Sent out missionaries to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Central Asia Sent out missionaries to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Central Asia Mitigated harsher policies of state: new state role as a parent, protector Mitigated harsher policies of state: new state role as a parent, protector Decline of the Mauryan Empire Decline of the Mauryan Empire Ashoka died in 232 B.C.E. Ashoka died in 232 B.C.E. Heirs were not strong and cost of ruling was expensive Heirs were not strong and cost of ruling was expensive Suffered from acute financial and economic difficulties Suffered from acute financial and economic difficulties High cost for maintaining army and bureaucrats High cost for maintaining army and bureaucrats Debasing the currency, not a effective resolution Debasing the currency, not a effective resolution The empire collapsed by 185 B.C.E. The empire collapsed by 185 B.C.E.

12. POST-MAURYANS Regional States Regional States Local princes (kshatriyas) reasserted their control Local princes (kshatriyas) reasserted their control Rise of tribal states and aristocratic republics Rise of tribal states and aristocratic republics Constantly rivalry produces power vacuum Constantly rivalry produces power vacuum Castes provide stability, continuity after collapses Castes provide stability, continuity after collapses The Deccan The Deccan Spread of Hinduism, Buddhism to the Deccan Spread of Hinduism, Buddhism to the Deccan Establishment of regional states, dynasties in Deccan Establishment of regional states, dynasties in Deccan Establishment of Trade Routes in Indian Ocean Establishment of Trade Routes in Indian Ocean Persian, Roman, Greek merchants travel to India from SW Asia Persian, Roman, Greek merchants travel to India from SW Asia Later Christian, Zoroastrian missionaries visit India Later Christian, Zoroastrian missionaries visit India Migration of Indo-Europeans, Indo-Iranians Migration of Indo-Europeans, Indo-Iranians Without Mauryans to prevent it, groups moved into India Without Mauryans to prevent it, groups moved into India Their elite groups integrated into caste system as jatis Their elite groups integrated into caste system as jatis Incursion of the Hunas Incursion of the Hunas First invasion of the Huns First invasion of the Huns Stopped by local princes and small states Stopped by local princes and small states

13. THE NOMADIC INTERLUDE Northwestern Kingdoms: 200 BCE to 300 CE Northwestern Kingdoms: 200 BCE to 300 CE Indo-European nomads enter India from Central Asia Indo-European nomads enter India from Central Asia Indo-Greeks came from Bactria c. 180 BCE Indo-Greeks came from Bactria c. 180 BCE Indo-Scythians (Sakas) come from C. Asia c. 80 BCE Indo-Scythians (Sakas) come from C. Asia c. 80 BCE Indo-Parthians came from Persia c. 20 CE Indo-Parthians came from Persia c. 20 CE Influenced Indian art, commerce, religion Influenced Indian art, commerce, religion Syncretic blending of Greek culture, Buddhism Syncretic blending of Greek culture, Buddhism Indians saw them as foreigners, impure barbarians Indians saw them as foreigners, impure barbarians Linked India to the Silk Road, China, Western Asia Linked India to the Silk Road, China, Western Asia Became “Indianized” over time Became “Indianized” over time The Kushans The Kushans Indo-Europeans pushed out of China Indo-Europeans pushed out of China Called Yueh-zhi or Tocarians Called Yueh-zhi or Tocarians Nomads allied with Chinese Han Dynasty Nomads allied with Chinese Han Dynasty Took over Scythians, Central Asia, Northwestern India Took over Scythians, Central Asia, Northwestern India Dominated Silk Road trade between Mediterranean, China Dominated Silk Road trade between Mediterranean, China Adopted Buddhism, blended with Greek, Persian traditions Adopted Buddhism, blended with Greek, Persian traditions Borrowed Greek and Sanskrit writing systems Borrowed Greek and Sanskrit writing systems Gandaran art style was a major artistic period Gandaran art style was a major artistic period Controlled trade from India to Central Europe and China to Iran Controlled trade from India to Central Europe and China to Iran Helped facilitate spread of Buddhism back to China Helped facilitate spread of Buddhism back to China

14. THE KUSHANS

15. THE GUPTAS The Gupta Dynasty: 320 CE to 550 CE The Gupta Dynasty: 320 CE to 550 CE The Gupta state rose to power in Magadha The Gupta state rose to power in Magadha Chandra Gupta founded the new dynasty Chandra Gupta founded the new dynasty Gupta Government Gupta Government Dynasty was relatively decentralized Dynasty was relatively decentralized Local rulers retained great influence Local rulers retained great influence Theatre state: ruler had ceremonial functions Theatre state: ruler had ceremonial functions Devaraja Cult: ruler was incarnation of a god Devaraja Cult: ruler was incarnation of a god An Indian Golden Age An Indian Golden Age Guptas supported revival of Hinduism Guptas supported revival of Hinduism During this age Hinduism took its major form During this age Hinduism took its major form Guptas supported sciences, mathematics Guptas supported sciences, mathematics Golden Age of the Arts, Literatures Golden Age of the Arts, Literatures India was a center for trade, commerce India was a center for trade, commerce Indian army was largest, most powerful in world Indian army was largest, most powerful in world Gupta decline Gupta decline Invasion of White Huns weakened the empire Invasion of White Huns weakened the empire After 5th century C.E., Gupta dynasty ruled in name only After 5th century C.E., Gupta dynasty ruled in name only Large regional kingdoms again dominated political life in India Large regional kingdoms again dominated political life in India

16. HINDU NUMBERS?! Modern Devanagari Hindu-Arabic Hindi word for the ordinal numeral Sanskrit word for the ordinal numeral (wordstem) Translations in some languages ० 0 śūnya ( शून्य ) sifr (Urdu)Urdu १ 1 ék ( एक )eka ( एक ) echad (Hebrew)Hebrew २ 2 do ( दो )dvi ( द्वि ) dva (Russian)Russian ३ 3 tīn ( तीन )tri ( त्रि ) tri (Serbo- Croatian)Serbo- Croatian ४ 4 cār ( चार )catúr ( चतुर् ) katër (Albanian)Albanian ५ 5 pān ̄ c ( पाँच )panc ( पञ्च ) penki (Lithuanian)Lithuanian ६ 6 cha ḥ ( छः ) ṣ á ṣ ( षष् ) seis (Spanish)Spanish ७ 7 sāt ( सात )saptá ( सप्त ) şapte (Romanian)Romanian ८ 8 ā ṭ h ( आठ )a ṣ h ṭ á ( अष्ट ) astoņi (Latvian)Latvian ९ 9 nau ( नौ )náva ( नव ) naw (Welsh)Welsh

17. CHESS ANYONE? A Game of Math, the Army and Social Conventions A Game of Math, the Army and Social Conventions Originated in Guptan Empire Originated in Guptan Empire Called Chaturanga: Buddha would not play the game! Called Chaturanga: Buddha would not play the game! Raja (Shah): weakest but most important piece Vizier (Advisor, General): next to Raja, moved in all directions Means literally four divisions of the military Infantry became pawns – moves slowly, many foot soldiers Infantry Cavalry became knights – cavalry very mobile Cavalry Elephants became bishops – very rare pieces, very powerful Elephants Chariotry became rooks – moves only in straight lines Chariotry Later Sassanid Additions and Christian Modifications Elephants became the bishops (2) Elephants were very powerful and quicker than infantry Elephants were not as fast or deadly as chariots Sassanids used war elephants but the west did not – used bishops! Queen (1) replaced Vizier in West Guptans were polygamists and had many wives – of little importance, no piece In Western Chess queen was more important than vizier, value of one wife high Shah Mat! = Check Mate…. “The King is Helpless”

18. THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE HINDU TEMPLE

19. POPULAR HINDUISM The epics The epics Mahabharata Mahabharata A secular poem revised by brahmin scholars A secular poem revised by brahmin scholars Honored Vishnu, the preserver of the world Honored Vishnu, the preserver of the world The Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita Poetic dialogue between god Vishnu, Prince Arjuna Poetic dialogue between god Vishnu, Prince Arjuna Illustrated expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation Illustrated expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation Ramayana Ramayana Secular story of Rama and Sita was changed into a Hindu story Secular story of Rama and Sita was changed into a Hindu story Shows extent of spread of Hinduism in region Shows extent of spread of Hinduism in region Hindu ethics Hindu ethics Lower demands for achieving salvation Lower demands for achieving salvation Individuals should meet their responsibilities in detached fashion Individuals should meet their responsibilities in detached fashion Balance of dharma, artha, karma to attain moksha, end samsara Balance of dharma, artha, karma to attain moksha, end samsara Popularity of Hinduism Popularity of Hinduism Became more popular than Buddhism; Buddhism too aesthetic Became more popular than Buddhism; Buddhism too aesthetic The Guptas helped Hinduism become the dominant religion The Guptas helped Hinduism become the dominant religion Guptas placed Brahmins as lead caste above Kshatriyas Guptas placed Brahmins as lead caste above Kshatriyas Trumurti of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva emerges – one reality, many faces Trumurti of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva emerges – one reality, many faces

20. ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL Towns and manufacturing Towns and manufacturing Towns dotted countryside after 600 B.C.E. Towns dotted countryside after 600 B.C.E. Towns provided manufactured, luxury goods Towns provided manufactured, luxury goods Long-distance trade Long-distance trade Invasions by Persians helped build trade networks Invasions by Persians helped build trade networks Trade with China through silk roads of central Asia Trade with China through silk roads of central Asia Trade in Indian Ocean basin, Africa to Southeast Asia Trade in Indian Ocean basin, Africa to Southeast Asia Spread Buddhism, Hinduism to Central, Southeast Asia Spread Buddhism, Hinduism to Central, Southeast Asia Social and gender relations Social and gender relations Strong patriarchal families; subordination of women to men Strong patriarchal families; subordination of women to men Child marriage placed women under control of old men Child marriage placed women under control of old men Development of caste system Development of caste system New social groups of artisans, craftsmen, and merchants appeared New social groups of artisans, craftsmen, and merchants appeared Individuals of same trade or craft formed a guild; guilds were subcastes, jatis Individuals of same trade or craft formed a guild; guilds were subcastes, jatis Functions of guilds: social security and welfare systems Functions of guilds: social security and welfare systems Wealth and social order Wealth and social order Trade and industry brought prosperity to many vaishyas and shudras Trade and industry brought prosperity to many vaishyas and shudras Old beliefs and values of early Aryan society became increasingly irrelevant Old beliefs and values of early Aryan society became increasingly irrelevant