1. Foundations: Ch 3 Outline Chapter 3 Pg. 56-74
Classical India
Chapter 3 Pg

2. Geography & Formative Period
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Geography & Formative Period
Geography
Well positioned for trade
Diverse landscape results in regionalism
Monsoon climate
Heavy summer rains during June, July, August
Dry season with almost no rain from Sept to May
Extreme impacts on agriculture

3. Geography & Formative Period
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Geography & Formative Period
Formative Periods
Vedic Age ( BCE)
Epic Age ( BCE)
Resulted in creation of early forms of key cultural traits:
caste system
polytheistic religion

4. Patterns in Classical India
BCE: Vedic & Epic Ages
BCE: Regional states dominate plains
BCE: Mauryan Empire
Autocratic rule, Buddhist
232BCE-320CE: Regionalism reemerges (Kushans)
CE: Gupta Empire
Decentralized rule, Hindu

5. Political Institutions
Most persistent political feature of India is regionalism
However, some centralization did occur
Example: Gupta promotion of Sanskrit & law code
Caste system provided local control & regulation often fulfilled by gov

6. Question
Even though the Maurya and Gupta empires were highly influential, Indian history largely is characterized by small regional kingdoms.
Why do you think large empires did not "take hold" in India as they did in other parts of the world?
What is unusual or significant about Indian culture in this respect?

7. 1 of 4
Religion & Culture
Hinduism evolved overtime yielding remarkable complexity & diversity
Forms of Worship:
Ritualistic, ceremonial worship (brahmins)
Mystical search for divine essence (gurus)
Belief structure:

8. millions of local deities
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
millions of local deities
world of humans:
dharma
fulfillment of life roles
karma
death
reincarnation

9. 3 of 4
Religion & Culture
Buddhism founded by Siddartha Gautama in 536 BCE in response to Hinduism
Questioned fairness of misery believing the material world caused human suffering
Adopted Hindu ideas of mysticism & reincarnation;
Rejected caste, rituals, priests

10. Religion & Culture Art & Science flourished in Indian culture
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Religion & Culture
Art & Science flourished in Indian culture
Literature:
Science:
Math:
Art:

11. Economy & Society
Caste system & agriculture provided basic framework of hierarchy
Patriarchal but with greater emotional ties to women & children
Economy firmly subsistence agriculture but with significant trade & manufacturing
Key good = cotton textiles
Merchants valued

12. Indian Influence Indian Ocean was the key linkage among cultures
Trade carried Indian creativity, goods, religions from Africa & Middle East to SE Asia
Buddhism, Hinduism, Art to SE Asia
Buddhism, Art to China

13. India & China
Differences:
Similarities:

14. Global Connections
Indian civilization was pivotal to cultural exchange largely through Indian Ocean & Silk Road

15. Question
Explain how …
Hinduism changed and stayed the same between 1500 BCE and 535 CE
Buddhism changed and stayed the same between 536 BCE and 535 CE