Classical India
Chapter 3
Pg. 56-74
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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
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Geography & Formative Period
Formative Periods
Vedic Age (1500-1000 BCE)
Epic Age (1000-600 BCE)
Resulted in creation of early forms of key cultural
traits:
caste system
polytheistic religion
Patterns in Classical India
1500-600BCE: Vedic & Epic Ages
600-322BCE: Regional states dominate plains
322-232BCE: Mauryan Empire
Autocratic rule, Buddhist
232BCE-320CE: Regionalism reemerges (Kushans)
320-535CE: Gupta Empire
Decentralized rule, Hindu
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
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?
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Religion & Culture
Hinduism evolved overtime yielding
remarkable complexity & diversity
Forms of Worship:
Ritualistic, ceremonial worship (brahmins)
Mystical search for divine essence (gurus)
Belief structure:
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Brahma
Vishnu Shiva
millions of local deities
world of humans:
dharma
fulfillment of life roles
reincarnation karma
death
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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
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Religion & Culture
Art & Science flourished in Indian culture
Literature:
Science:
Math:
Art:
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
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
India & China
Differences:
Similarities:
Global Connections
Indian civilization was pivotal to cultural
exchange largely through Indian Ocean &
Silk Road
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