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Chapter 3

Chapter 3. Classical Civilization: India. Classical Civilization: India. The Framework for Indian History: Geography and a Formative Period Patterns in Classical India Political Institutions Religion and Culture Economy and Society Indian Influence China and India.

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Chapter 3

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  1. Chapter 3 Classical Civilization: India

  2. Classical Civilization: India • The Framework for Indian History: Geography and a Formative Period • Patterns in Classical India • Political Institutions • Religion and Culture • Economy and Society • Indian Influence • China and India

  3. Classical Civilization: India • The Framework for Indian History: • Geography and a Formative Period • Geography • Himalayas • Monsoons • Why is geography important? • Culture was born of this India in the Age of Harappa and the Early Aryan Migrations

  4. Karakorum K2 Hindu Kush Rough, Hide out of Bin Laden Himalayas Mt. Everest

  5. The Hindu Kush Mountain Range Pakistan/Afghan Border (Old NW India)

  6. K2 – Top of Karakorum Range, one of the toughest mountains In the world to climb

  7. Mt. Everest Himalaya Mountains Tallest mountain in the world

  8. The Framework for Indian History: Geography and a Formative Period Influences: Mid East & Mediterranean, as opposed to China Persian Empires spill over Alexander the Great makes contact Topography: Himalayas RESULT: Marked by different greater diversity than China’s Middle Kingdom The Framework for Indian History: Geography and a Formative Period Aryans (Indo-Europeans) migrants Vedic (knowledge) Age (1500–1000 B.C.E.) Sanskrit Vedas Sacred books Epic Age (1000–600 B.C.E.) Mahabharata Greatest epic poem Ramayana Reflect a more settled ag society & better organized political unit Upanishads Poems with a more mystical flavor Classical Civilization: India

  9. The Framework for Indian History: Geography and a Formative Period Varnas Kshatriyas – warriors Brahmans – priests Vaisyas – traders, farmers Sudras – laborers Untouchables Religions Indra god of Thunder Gautama Buddha Classical Civilization: India Indra

  10. Patterns in Classical India Alexander the Great 327 B.C.E., to India Bactria (small border state) Chandragupta Maurya Reaction to Alex the Great’s incursion (322 B.C.) Mauryan Dynasty Autocratic Unify much of continent Ashoka (269–232 B.C.E.) conversion to Buddhism Honored Hinduism Stability Kushans New invaders push in from NW Kanishka Convert to Buddhism Why did it fall out of favor? Associated w/ foreign rule collapse by 220 C.E., and with it, 100 years of instability Guptas No great rulers, but greater overall impact 2 centuries gave India greatest period of political stability from 320 C.E. Huns invade, 535 C.E. Classical Civilizations: India

  11. Classical Civilization: India Extent of Gupta Empire Extent of Mauryan Empire

  12. Political Institutions No solid political traditions and institutions like China, or high level political interest of Rome/Greece Diversity & regionalism = shaky base Guptas claim appt by Gods (favor Hindu b/c they believ in such Gods) Law Codes Guptas spread universal ones Road building University activity Created golden age in Indian history Kautilya chief minister to Chandragupta political treatise Similar to Legalism in China Encourage efficient authority Caste System regulated many social relationships and work roles Did in India what conventional gov’t structures did in many other cultures more complex after 600 B.C.E. Classes subdivided even more Hereditary principles grow even stronger What was the point of the caste system? Was it helpful in anything? Classical Civilizations: India

  13. Religion and Culture Hinduism unifying force but not monolithic Success due to fluidity, ability to adapt Upanishads Stressed shallowness of worldly concerns in favor of concentration on divine spirit Reincarnation Gurus Mystics Worked with Brahman priests Divinities Shiva (destroyer) Vishnu (preserver) Gautama Buddha (ca 563–483 B.C.E.) Nirvana Spread Via teachings of monks Did not witness permanent following in India Kamasutra Architecture Stupas Spherical shrines to Buddha, among other things Classical Civilizations: India

  14. Economy and Society Patriarchal arranged marriages but companionate Wife worship husband as a god Some Hindu thinkers debated whether a woman could advance spiritually w/o first being reincarnated as a man Often greater in theory than in practice Textiles Cotton cloth Cashmere Iron working Steel Best in world Better than Europe until a few centuries ago Long-distance trade Classical Civilizations: India

  15. Indian Influence Via trade Indian Ocean, at this point, was most active linkage point among cultures, more so than even Mediterranean Early example of a major civilization spreading influence beyond own regions Buddhism Affects China Emissaries to Mid East stimulate new thinking Classical Civilizations: India

  16. China and India Contrasts Indian sensuality v. Chinese restraint in art India more rigid socially Caste system India settles on a primary religion; China opts for systems that serve diff needs Similarities large peasant classes Organized in close knit villages with much mutual cooperation Patriarchy Classical Civilizations: India

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