Powerful Empires of India

1. SSWH2 The student will identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE.

2. a. Describe the development of Indian civilization; include the rise and fall of the Maurya Empire, the “Golden Age” under Gupta, and the emperor Ashoka.

3. Powerful Empires of India Focus Question  In what ways did Maurya and Gupta rulers achieve peace and order for ancient India?

4. A man named Chandragupta first gained power in the Ganges valley. He then conquered northern India. His son and grandson later pushed south, adding much of the Deccan to their empire. From 321 B.C. to 185 B.C., the Maurya dynasty ruled over a vast, united empire. Chandragupta Forges an Empire

5. Chandragupta maintained order through a well-organized bureaucracy. Royal officials supervised the building of roads and harbors to benefit trade. Other officials collected taxes and managed state-owned factories and shipyards. People sought justice in royal courts.

6. Chandragupta’s rule was effective but harsh. A brutal secret police force reported on corruption, crime, and dissent—that is, ideas that opposed those of the government. Fearful of his many enemies, Chandragupta had specially trained women warriors guard his palace.

7. The most honored Maurya emperor was Chandragupta’s grandson, Asoka (uh soh kuh). A few years after becoming emperor in 268 B.C., Asoka fought a long, bloody war to conquer the Deccan region of Kalinga. Then, horrified at the slaughter—more than 100,000 people are said to have died—Asoka turned his back on further conquests. He converted to Buddhism, rejected violence, and resolved to rule by moral example. Asoka Rules by Moral Example

8. True to the Buddhist principle of respect for all life, Asoka stopped eating most meats and limited Hindu animal sacrifices. He sent missionaries, or people sent on a religious mission, to spread Buddhism across India and to Sri Lanka. By doing so, he paved the way for the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia. Although Asoka promoted Buddhism, he also preached tolerance for other religions.

9. After Asoka’s death, Maurya power declined. By 185 B.C., the unity of the Maurya empire was shattered as rival princes again battled for power across the Gangetic Plain. Division and Disunity Set In

10. Adding to the turmoil, foreigners frequently pushed through mountain passes into northern India. The divided northern kingdoms often proved incapable of resisting these conquerors.

11. Although many kingdoms flourished in the Deccan, the most powerful Indian states rose to its north. About 500 years after the Mauryas, the Gupta dynasty again united much of India. Gupta emperors organized a strong central government that promoted peace and prosperity. Under the Guptas, who ruled from A.D. 320 to about 540, India enjoyed a golden age, or period of great cultural achievement The Guptas Bring About a Golden Age

12. Gupta rule was probably looser than that of the Mauryas. Much power was left in the hands of individual villages and city governments elected by merchants and artisans. Peace and Prosperity Abound

13. Trade and farming flourished across the Gupta empire. Farmers harvested crops of wheat, rice, and sugar cane. In cities, artisans produced cotton cloth, pottery, and metalware for local markets and for export to East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The prosperity of Gupta India contributed to a flowering in the arts and learning.

14. Under Gupta rule, students were educated in religious schools. Indians Make Advances in Learning

15. Indian advances in mathematics had a wide impact on the rest of the world. Gupta mathematicians devised the system of writing numbers that we use today. Indian mathematicians also originated the concept of zero and developed the decimal system of numbers based on ten digits, which we still use today.

16. By Gupta times, Indian physicians were using herbs and other remedies to treat illness. Surgeons were skilled in setting bones and in simple surgery to repair injuries. It seems that doctors also began vaccinating people against smallpox about 1,000 years before this practice was used in Europe.

17. During Gupta times, many fine writers added to the rich heritage of Indian literature. They collected and recorded fables and folk tales in the Sanskrit language. In time, Indian fables were carried west to Persia, Egypt, and Greece. Expanding India’s Literature

18. Eventually, Gupta India declined under the pressure of weak rulers, civil war, and foreign invaders. From central Asia came the White Huns, a nomadic people who overran the weakened Gupta empire, destroying its cities and trade. Once again, India split into many kingdoms. It would see no other great empire like those of the Mauryas or Guptas for almost 1,000 years The Gupta Empire Declines

19. How did religion influence learning and the arts in Gupta India?

20. Buddhism and Hinduism • Let’s Look in your book. Together we will create a chart in your notes that compares and contrasts Hinduism to Buddhism. We will focus on: • 1. founders/origins • 2. Key beliefs • 3. Gods • 4. Sacred Literature • 5. Effect on society • 6. Modern-day traditions

21. Hinduism: -polytheistic religion -reincarnation and karma -Not traced to one founder -Strengthened the caste system through karma Buddhism: -founded by Siddhartha (Buddha) -Path to enlightenment -Attempt to reach nirvana, or a release from suffering and worldly pain -rejected caste system b. Explain the development and impact of Hinduism and Buddhism on India and subsequent diffusion of Buddhism.

22. How do these compare to the 10 comandments (page 79)

23. Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama (ca. 556 – ca. 486 BCE) -Founder of Buddhism -Indian prince from a small north Indian state -Led a sheltered and privileged existence -Shocked by the existence of old age, sickness, and death -Left family and wealth -Began search for the causation and cessation of suffering E. Napp

24. E. Napp

25. Upon becoming the Enlightened One (the Buddha), formulated the Four Noble Truths -Life has suffering. -Selfish desire is the cause of suffering. -Suffering can end. -Follow the Noble Eightfold Path (eight actions to help eliminate suffering) • Nirvana is the elimination of suffering -The identity is extinguished as greed, hatred, and delusion are extinguished too -Loving-kindness or compassion for all living things develops E. Napp

26. Many similarities to Hinduism -Karma, reincarnation, overcoming the incessant demands of the ego, meditation, release from samsara • Differences too -Rejected religious authority of Brahmins, ridiculed rituals and sacrifices, not much interested in the creation of world or existence of God E. Napp

27. Hinduism and Buddhism in India • Buddhism attracted many laborers and crafts people who were at the bottom of the caste system • Though missionaries spread the Buddhist religion in India, it never took hold • Trade with other countries and territories helped Buddhism spread else where (East Asia) • Hinduism remained the main religion of India

28. Zhou (1027-256 BC) -established a feudalistic society -built roads and canals -coined money -used cast iron Qin (241-202 BC) -formed an autocracy -standardized all of China (laws, measurements, currency) -Great Wall built c. Describe the development of Chinese civilization under the Zhou and Qin.

29. China - Zhou1100 BCE - 500 CE • Zhou • In 1027 BCE the Zhou dynasty overthrew the Shang Dynasty through the use of the Dynasty Cycle. The Zhous utilized ancestor worship and oracle bones in religious ways. • Advancements: Roads and canals, coined money

30. Qin • The Qin replaced the Zhou Dynasty and kept China unified. This dynasty is known for the creation of the Great Wall, a unified system of writing, law, currency, and weights/measures. • One concept that emerges during this time is Legalism. This is the belief in a highly efficient and powerful gov’t. The gov’t wanted to control beliefs and actions. If you were disobedient you could be punished greatly. (ex: Anyone caught outside his village without a travel permit should have his ears or nose chopped off)

31. Civil Service Exam • 18 ranks: government jobs that civilians obtained by taking examinations • History, law, literature, and Confucianism • Continued in China until 1912 • Dynasty Cycle

32. Structured Society Mandate of Heaven Bureaucracy 1 Month in Military

33. d. Explain the impact of Confucianism on Chinese culture; include the examination system, the Mandate of Heaven, the status of peasants, the status of merchants, and the patriarchal family, and explain diffusion to Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea.

34. Confucius • Confucius wanted to restore peace and harmony to China • He developed 5 codes of relationships between, people, and people and the government • Believed that education was important in helping people grow, and in the running of a government • Confucianism is not a religion, but a way to live • Strict social order and discipline was the key to a successful society

35. Compare and contrast • Study the teaching of Buddha, the ten commandment, and the teaching of Confucius. • Choose three main points that each religion/philosophy deems important and compare or contrast them with each other. How are they similar, how are they different, make sure to explain your answer completely.

36. China • Examination System: -originally most government jobs were through appointment -the examination system required citizens to pass a test to earn a position in the government -In theory, it opened up government jobs to the masses

37. China • Mandate of Heaven: -Royal authority came from heaven -Only wise and just rulers kept the Mandate and their throne -Foolish rulers lost the Mandate and their throne through natural disasters, upheaval, revolts, and inavsions

38. China • Peasants and Merchants: -Though more wealthy than peasants, merchants were lower on the strict social ladder -Merchants did not contribute to society and were only after their own personal gain -Peasants produced food, which society needed

39. e. Explain how the geography of the Indian Subcontinent contributed to the movement of people and ideas. • Mountains in the North prevented much trade by land • Southern India is surrounded by water, making the transfer of goods much easier