India’s History Since Harappa

2. India’s History Since Harappa

3. Maurya • Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE began ruling the northern plain of the Indian subcontinent. • Chandragupta’s grandson Ashoka helped advance the empire. • Ashoka began as violent ruler then converted to Buddhism • He renounced violence and worked to spread Buddhism throughout Asia • Highlights of Mauryan Dynasty • Spread of Buddhism • Roads Built (Importance?) • Large administration for ruling (tax collection) • Religious Tolerance

4. Gupta Empire • 320 AD Chandragupta I • Increased trade with China and other Asian countries • Art, Literature and Mathematics became central to the Gupta empire. • Golden Age– Advancements • Astronomy • Decimal system • The concept of 0 • Measured the earth • Arabic numerals replaced Roman numerals

5. Gupta

6. A Thousand Years of Unrest • For a long period after the decline of the Gupta, India lacked organization. • Waves of Huns swept through the region • Indian culture remained strong nevertheless

7. Muslim Invaders • In the mid-600s AD waves of Mongols, Afghans, Turks and Persians invaded India. • Some came and went, others set up kingdoms • Muslim Capital established in Delhi in 1200. • Sultans (the new Muslim rulers) forced non-Muslims to pay special taxes called Jizya • Built colleges, hospitals, dams and reservoirs as well as 200 new towns.

8. Muslim Culture • Muslim culture never absorbed (monotheism v polytheism) • Very different cultures • Results • Muslims destroyed Hindu temples • Required believers to follow the Koran • Cattle was a source of food for Muslims • Many Hindus converted in the North but not in south

9. Mughal Empire • Babur 1526 helped unite the India and brought the two cultures together. • Grandson Akbar promoted religious tolerance. • He appointed Hindus to government jobs • Married a Hindu princess • Abolished the Jizya (non-Muslim tax) • Blended art and architecture of Hindu and Islam • Became very wealthy empire

10. Mughal

11. Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan • 1628 until 1658 Mughal Empire Ruler • Had the Taj Mahal built

12. Europeans Arrive • Portuguese established trading posts • Missionaries converted Indians to Christianity • Soon the Dutch and English began trading with the Indians • English wanted to keep trade peaceful and simple

13. Letter from Mughal to England • Upon which assurance of your royal love I have given my general command to all the kingdoms and ports of my dominions to receive all the merchants of the English nation as the subjects of my friend; that in what place soever they choose to live, they may have free liberty without any restraint; and at what port soever they shall arrive, that neither Portugal nor any other shall dare to molest their quiet; and in what city soever they shall have residence, I have commanded all my governors and captains to give them freedom answerable to their own desires; to sell, buy, and to transport into their country at their pleasure. For confirmation of our love and friendship, I desire your Majesty to command your merchants to bring in their ships of all sorts of rarities and rich goods fit for my palace; and that you be pleased to send me your royal letters by every opportunity, that I may rejoice in your health and prosperous affairs; that our friendship may be interchanged and eternal.

14. 1600 East India Company • Built several trading posts in India • Gold and silver was traded for cotton, silk, tea and spices • The Mughal rulers did not like the Europeans at first. • Britain and France took advantage of the decline of the Mughal empire and began fighting for control of the fragmented kingdoms throughout India • Britain won out and gained complete control of India • Robert Clive (member of the East India Company) • Victories as a military leader

15. East India Company Rule • British encouraged the internal fighting and used it to keep control. (No Unity) • Eventually the company got the rights to collect taxes and rule by establish local governments and rewriting laws that helped establish their rule. • Often established relations with local rulers to maintain control • Warren Hastings: India’s 1st Governor-General • Lord Wellesley: 5th Governor-General • Both men increased control of India by Britain

16. Early Rebellions • Angered at: • Britain’s taxes • Efforts to convert to Christianity • British outlaw of Hindu practices • The Sepoy Rebellion (1857) • Sepoys --Indian troops who were a part of the British army, were upset about their rifles being greased with beef and pork fat. (Sacred) • Also new law required Sepoys to fight for Britain in foreign lands (leaving was against religion) • Left a lasting distrust between India and British

17. 1858 India Becomes Official Colony • 1878 Queen Victoria became Empress of India. • India ruled through appointed officials • British took control of the courts

18. British Rule • Built Infrastructure (Roads, telegraph systems, railroads, ports, etc.) to help them rule the empire • Economy changed from a manufacturing to a cash crop (beneficial to the colonizing country) tea, cotton, pepper and coffee • Improved healthcare and sanitation increased population • Built schools and colleges • English helped unify India • Taught political ideas of liberty and democracy

19. British Infrastructure

20. Nationalism • Indian National Congress (INC) • Called for gradual change at first then began more fierce struggle after WWI • Mohandas Gandhi took leadership of (INC) • Britain began turning over a bit of control • Gandhi promoted peaceful revolution • Peaceful gathering 379 Indians killed at peaceful gathering in Amritsar Massacre

21. Gandhi’s Principles • Studied law in England • Practiced law in South Africa focusing on nonviolent resistance to end injustice (satyagraha) • Wanted to awaken the world to the wrongdoings of the British • Follower called him Mahatma (great soul) • Turn away from western ideas turn toward traditional • Emphasized self-discipline, love for all, non-violence, civil justice

22. Do Now • How did Gandhi’s education influence his “agenda”

23. Traditional Ways

24. Strikes, protests, boycotts • Campaign of civil disobedience 1920s The Salt March 1930 • Protested tax on salt • Went on 200 mile march to make salt from seawater • 50000 arrested for breaking law (only allowed to buy taxed salt)

25. Salt March

26. WWII • Indians refused to support war unless granted independence • Britain refused • “Quit India”= Non-Cooperation and Civil disobedience toward the British • Arrests for more than 20000 Indians

27. Nationalism Wins Out • Nationalisms strength in India coupled with the fact that most British no longer agreed with the colonization of territory, Britain moved India towards independence • Britain was also weakened by their participation in the war.

28. Muslim-Hindu Conflict • To prevent a civil war in India, Britain formed two nations, Pakistan and India, and passed the independence act giving India their independence • Fighting exploded between the Muslims and Hindus. ½ million people died. • Hindus migrated into India and Muslims into Pakistan (15 million) • Eventually East Pakistan becomes Bangladesh in 1971

32. Gandhi’s Reaction • Gandhi refused to celebrate the independence because of the violence • He help prayer meetings, reading from the Koran, the Bible and the Bhagavad-Gita • A Hindu extremist was upset by Gandhi’s reaction attended a prayer meeting, bowed at Gandhi’s feet, rose and shot Gandhi.

34. The New India • A constitution was written • Democratic Republic • Equality, justice, and liberty • Federal government with a central government and 25 state and 7 territory governments. • President appoints state governors • Parliament is elected and leading party appoints a prime minister. The real head of the government. (president is a figure head) • 2 Houses (bicameral legislature) • Council of State– Elected by the legislature • House of the People– People elect the members • All citizens over 18 have the right to vote

35. Issues • Government trying to prevent untouchables– Upper casts upset • Law forbidding • Providing government jobs • Cultural groups trying to gain independence– Separatist violence • Sikh separatism– Punjab (state) majority. No such luck • Muslim-Hindu conflict continues (100 million Muslims still inhabit india. • Kashmir Conflict • Nuclear Conflict • Religious Conflicts

36. Economy and Industry • Mixed Economy • Transition from cash crop to industry • Farming has been improved • Building of wells, canals and dams • Success– Flood prevention and food output • Green Revolution– New seeds and farming methods to improve output • Land reform- Take from large land and sell to small farmers

37. Life in India • Villages • General • ½ with electricity • Few have running water • Oxen pulled plows • Becoming advanced slowly • Improving healthcare • Education • At independence only 10% literacy • ½ children attended school • Now = 61% literacy rate • Family • 95% all marriages are arranged • Move toward nuclear family • Women subordinate

38. Education and Literacy

39. Inequality • Boys receive better healthcare, education and even diets • Untouchables still struggle yet some progress has been made