1. Indian Empires

2. Geography Subcontinent Isolated, but not as much as China Himalayan Mts. (Kyber pass) Indian Ocean Monsoons- good for crops but could also be unpredictable and destructive (sounds like what?)

3. Before the Empires (400 B.C.E.) Diverse peoples- government and economy differed from place to place

4. Aryans (Vedic Age) After/during the collapse of the Indus Valley, a group of people known as the Aryans move in (c. 1500 B.C.E.) Where are they from? Warlike Originally nomadic- learn agriculture from Dravidians (Dasas) Set up a social hierarchy with themselves at the top “Infiltrate” Indian culture but do not create an empire

5. Created literary epics Later written in Sanskrit Called the Vedas (knowledge) Other stories (Epic Age): –Mahabharata –Ramayana –Upanishads (epic poems) These are the roots of Indian Culture

6. Sanskrit vowels, diacritics and sample text

7. Caste System Because the Aryans regarded the people they conquered as inferior Castes (Jatis)- by occupation –Brahmins (priests) –Kshatriyas (warriors) –Vaishyas (Merchants) –Shudras (servers/laborers) (20%) Untouchables (Harijan) (out-caste)

8. Untouchables

9. Castes were hereditary Most rigid social structure of an early civilization Possible to change caste? Based on Vedic Age writings Over time becomes more rigid and complex Purpose of Caste system? Benefits of the Caste system?

10. First Empires 600 B.C.E- India not yet unified (16 warring states) 322 B.C.E.- Chandragupta Maurya founds Maurya dynasty Who influenced him? Harsh and paranoid leader Body guards; spies; palace

11. Maurya rulers created a strong central government. These rulers: The Maurya Empire supervised the building of roads and harbors. collected taxes and managed state- owned factories. created royal courts.

12. Ashoka- The Most Honored King Ashoka was Chandragupta’s grandson Starts off ruthless Converts to Buddhism Sends missionaries Pillars Improved trade and communication; stability

14. Describe the rise and importance of the Mauryan Empire. (324 -184 B.C.E) The Mauryan Empire overcame natural and geographic obstacles, as well as India’s complex social hierarchy, to politically unify India. Legacy The Mauryan Empire’s longest-lasting impact was to expedite the formation of a common Indian civilization. Particularly important was the conversion of the Mauryan ruler Ashoka to Buddhism, resulting in the spread of Buddhist influence. Even after the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, there continued to be economic, cultural, and intellectual development that was at least partially due to Mauryan rule.

16. Empire falls apart, then 320 C.E. Gupta empire begins Golden Age (Classical Era) Political stability Less centralized Lasts until 535 C.E. (Huns/Hunas)

17. The Guptas 320 – 535 C.E. Under the Guptas, India enjoyed a period of great cultural achievement. “Golden Age” 2 Learning… Scholars taught many subjects at Hindu and Buddhist schools.

18. The Golden Age of the Guptas Under the Guptas, India enjoyed a period of great cultural achievement. 2 Medicine… Doctors treated illnesses with herbs, performed surgery, set broken bones, and vaccinated against smallpox. Could not…?

19. The Golden Age of the Guptas Under the Guptas, India enjoyed a period of great cultural achievement. 2 Mathematics… Mathematicians invented system of numbers we use today (Arabic) and developed the decimal system and concept of zero.

20. The Golden Age of the Guptas Under the Guptas, India enjoyed a period of great cultural achievement. 2 Architecture… Builders designed magnificent stone temples and dome- shaped shrines called stupas. Art… More stylized and abstract

23. Fall of the Guptas Invasions by the Hunas break apart the empire, introduce new groups of people to the empire, and decrease trade Local princes gain power; so does Hinduism Do not re-centralize the country

24. Mauryans and Guptas compared Both control key economic aspects of society; trade routes etc. Wealth goes to elites, as usual Gupta were less centralized Mauryans (Hindu then Buddhist) Guptas (Return to Hinduism) Maurya had larger empire Both unite diverse peoples under a single rule

25. Women The status and freedom of women decreased over time. A woman’s duties were to marry, obey her husband, and raise children. Ritual of Sati The most extreme example of Indian women’s position in which a widow was expected to cremate herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.

26. Discuss the ways that early Southeast Asia participated in the world system. Location the strategic location of Southeast Asia in the global trade routes connecting China, India, and the Mediterranean. expanded trade networks and contributed goods The impressive navigational skills riding the monsoon winds and interpreting wave patterns, clouds, swells, and winds led them to explore the Indian and Pacific Oceans and knit together the shores of India, East Asia, and the islands of the Pacific. Religion Hindu/Buddhist culture served as a source of knowledge, prestige, and legitimacy for rulers They fused Indian religious and political ideas and methods with their own traditions to create a unique culture. Legacy important role as a linkage and contributor to the world system by sailing and trading, absorbing and sharing in the world markets.

27. Hinduism and Buddhism

28. Ancient India Ganesha Hinduism is the world's oldest organized religion, and the third most practiced in the world

29. Roots of Hinduism Grew out of early Aryan beliefs in multiple Gods. Evolved to contain the overlapping beliefs of peoples in India Sacred texts Beliefs come from the Vedas and other Indian epics, poems and songs- Upanishads; Mahabharata; Bhagavad-Gita (duty over desire); Ramayana No single founder

30. Polytheistic or monotheistic ? Hinduism is sometimes called a polytheistic and monotheistic religion polytheistic Hinduism believes in One God (Brahman), but recognizes that the One God can appear to humans in multiple names and forms Three common gods: –Brahman-the Creator –Vishnu-the preserver –Shiva-the destroyer

32. Goal of life Moksha- union with Brahman (all powerful spiritual force)

33. The path to moksha Dharma: the duty or role of a person in their caste Karma: the actions in your life that affect your fate in the next life Samsara: the rebirth of the soul (atman) in another bodily form. –Good karma= –Bad karma=

34. Ahimsa Belief in non-violence toward all living things

35. Trends Hinduism regains appeal in Gupta India Hinduism maintains cultural cohesion/continuity throughout India’s history Mostly confined to India. Most converts outside India are in south east Asia

36. Angkor Wat

37. Rise of Buddhism

38. Siddhartha Gautama Born around 566 BCE (Kshatriya caste) Founder of Buddhism Grew up an Indian prince surrounded by wealth and luxury Saddened by amount of suffering he saw.

39. Enlightenment Comes: The Bodhi Tree Experience Enlightened after 48 days of deep meditation and fasting Siddhartha became the enlightened one, “Buddha” and discovered the Four Nobles Truths:

40. Buddha: The Enlightened One “Four Noble Truths”: 1. All life is full of suffering 2. The cause of suffering is desire for things like wealth and power 3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire 4. The way to overcome is by following the “Eight-fold Path.”

42. The Teachings of the Buddha It is important to live a moral life. Enlightenment is achieved through meditation and living by clear rules. 1

43. The Teachings of the Buddha What is the ultimate goal? reach nirvana, or union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth. Buddha not seen as a god Outgrowth of Hinduism 1

44. Spread of Buddhism Spreads to China, then Korea, then Japan, then southeast Asia

45. How Buddhism Spread from India to East Asia

46. Spread of Buddhism How did Buddhism Spread? Missionaries/monastic community (first) and Traders (later) helped to spread Buddhism across India to many parts of Asia (used silk roads) Two largest groups of Buddhists are the Mahayana and Theravada

47. Buddhist Monks

48. Medieval Christian Monks

49. Jainism Similar to Theravada Buddhism Reject caste system Go to extreme lengths in the name of non- violence

50. Hinduism and Buddhism compared Both believe in reincarnation Both believe in an end to the cycle of death and rebirth: Moksha/Nirvana Both emphasize non-violence Both address the consequences of one’s behavior Neither gave a particular respect to women Buddhism, in many ways, is an outgrowth of Hinduism

51. Buddhism has an original founder, Hinduism does not Buddhism denies caste, and many of the rites, rituals, and sacrifice of Hinduism (any social class can achieve Nirvana) – who would be most likely to convert? Buddhism originally had no belief in a soul or god Buddhism has a monastic community (missionary religion)