1. Chapter 5: India’s First Empires: Cultural Cohesion in a Divided Subcontinent (1000 BC – 500 AD)

2. I. Review: Aryans & the Vedic Age
Indus River Valley Civilization… Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa… Sanskrit Writings: Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana

3. II. Hinduism A. Origins Oldest & most complex religions
No single founder, text, or hierarchy
No fixed dogma…
Developed and changed over 3500 years
Began w/ Aryans
750 million: mostly in India
Regionalized…

4. II. Hinduism
Beliefs
1. Universal Spirit: “God is one, but wise people know it by many names” …. Brahman, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

5. II. Hinduism B. Beliefs 2. Reincarnation *Atman… Moksha… Samsara
* Reincarnation provides basis for caste system
3. Dharma [Ahimsa] & Karma

6. II. Hinduism Caste System
1. Origins
2. Social Order: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras, Untouchables
3. Effect… jatis…. Govt… Caste system a social ranking based on ideas of religious purity… may have helped people accept their place/ poverty
4. Women

7. II. Hinduism Sacred Texts
“The gods love the obscure and hate the obvious”
Vedas: collection of prayers & sacred verses; caste origin
Upanishads: philosophy of Hindu beliefs; Brahman
Brahamanas: instructions on rituals and sacrifice

8. II. Hinduism Sacred Texts 4. Mahabharata
* Includes Ramayana & Bhagavad-Gita (“Song of God”)
* Emphasizes struggle to do one’s duty

9. II. Hinduism Religious Practices Not eat beef or pork No alcohol
Priests & gurus
No higher or central religious authority (hierarchy)
Personal shrines
Diwali : “Festival of Lights”

10. II. Hinduism Religious Practices *Importance of the Ganges… Ghats
“If only the bone of a person touch the water of the Ganges, that person shall dwell in heaven.”
*Importance of the Himalayas… Mt. Everest & Yeti
“The sight of the snow wipes out the sins of the world.”

11. III. Buddhism A. The Enlightened One: Siddhartha Gautama
Life Before “Enlightenment”
Buddha: “He Who Has Awakened”

12. III. Buddhism B. Basic Principles Four Noble Truths (outline)
Ordinary Life is Full of Suffering.
Suffering is caused by Selfish Desires.
End suffering: end selfish desires.
Way to end desire is to follow Eightfold Path.

13. III. Buddhism: Eightfold Path (Sheet)

14. III. Buddhism B. Basic Principles: Sacred Texts
Tripitaka: “Three Baskets of Wisdom”

15. III. Buddhism C. Comparison w/ Hinduism
Buddhism accepts Hindu concepts of karma, dharma, reincarnation, nonviolence
Religious order: monks & nuns
Rejects Hindu gods, rituals, priesthood (Buddhism has no gods)
Rejects caste system: appeals to lower classes

16. III. Buddhism: Major Sects [D]
Theravada Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
Followed Buddha closest
Only dedicated to reach nirvana
Sangha: order of monks
Celibacy, no alcohol
Sri Lanka, SE Asia
Bodhisattvas: saints
Turned to for help and salvation
Fellow humans who would help others achieve nirvana
China, Tibet, Korea, Japan

17. III. Buddhism Major Sects Tibetian Buddhism Dalai Lama
Opposition to Communist China

18. Peaked w/ Asoka… why decline?
III. Buddhism
E. Decline in Buddhism in India
Peaked w/ Asoka… why decline?
Rulers: liked stability of Hinduism & support of priests
Common people: preferred stability & rituals/ feasts of Hinduism (stable: caste system)
Buddhism: not appeal to women
Final blow: Muslim invasions
*MB: blended more smoothly into Hinduism

19. IV. The Mauryan Empire
*Unite India… Began in North… Effect of geography
Candragupta Maurya
1. Introduction… Aryans & Alex
2. As Founder… “Fish”
3. As Ruler…

20. IV. The Mauryan Empire Asoka and Reform
1. Introduction… Deccan & Battle of Kalinga
2. As Ruler
* Patalitputra… Effects on India… Missionaries

21. V. Kushan Empire
*Outline… Northern India… Key link on the Silk Road… Achievements

22. VI. The Gupta Empire *Elements of a “Golden Age”…
Candra Gupta I… Legitimacy
Gupta Society
1. Government: Patalitputra: central, less harsh
2. Economy: trade & agriculture
3. Women: restrictions of Hinduism
4. Organization of Village & Family Life: Sheet

23. VI. The Gupta Empire The Influence of Hinduism: Outline
End of Gupta Rule: Outline
* White Huns

24. VII. Gupta’s Golden Age
Classical Civilization…
Mathematics
Medicine

25. VII. Gupta’s Golden Age Architecture Literature
*Stupas… pillars… rock chambers… Ajanta caves
Literature
*Mahabharata… Ramayana…