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Classical India: Rich Culture and Influential Trade

Explore the rich culture and influential trade of Classical India, including the Vedic and Epic ages, Mauryan Dynasty, Gupta Empire, and the impact of Hinduism and Buddhism.

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Classical India: Rich Culture and Influential Trade

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  1. Classical India

  2. Geography of India • India much closer to other civilizations- trade with Middle East and later with China * Topography- Himalayas in the north separated it from the rest of Asia • Most important agricultural regions- Ganges and Indus rivers • Divisions within the subcontinent made full unity difficult • Summer brings monsoon rains, crucial for farming- but monsoon unreliable

  3. Vedic and Epic ages (c. 1500- 1000 BCE) • Aryans (Indo-European) migrants- hunting and herding peoples originally from central Asia • Vedas- sacred books of the Aryans • o  Rig-Veda- 1028 hymns dedicated to the Aryan gods • o  Mahabharata- India’s greatest epic poem • o  Ramayana • o  Upanishads- epic poems with a more mystical religious flavor • Encouraged tight levels of village organization • Indian caste system takes shape- partly because Aryan invaders saw indigenous people as inferior

  4. Mauryan Dynasty324-184 BCE • 322 BCE soldier named Chandragupta Maurya seized power along the Ganges River (in reaction to Alexander the Great pushing in) • Maintained large armies with elephants and chariots and cavalry • Created a substantial bureaucracy (postal service) • Divided territory into provinces and appointed leaders • 25% tax on agriculture to pay for gov. works • Paid spies to ensure loyalty • Autocratic style of government- relying on ruler’s personal and military power • Established an imperial government similar to Han China

  5. Ashoka269-232 BCE • Chandragupta’s grandson extended Mauryan control; converted to Buddhism and spread Buddhism throughout much of India; improved trade and communication by building roads • After Ashoka the empire began to fall apart and regional kingdoms surfaced again • Kushans- invaders who took over for a brief period until 220 CE

  6. Indian Stupa

  7. Gupta320-mid-500s • Starting in 320 CE (after period of instability) new large empire • Ruled using a series of alliances (vassal states)= Decentralized • Claimed authority through connection with Mauryan dynasty • Great impact- expanded influence without constant fighting; greatest period of political stability • Overturned in 535 CE by the White Huns

  8. Political Institutions • Strong regionalism, which meant that even great empires had a weak foundation • Political culture not elaborate- no formal political theory and few institutions or values that carried over • Caste rules, interpreted by priests, regulated many social relationships and work roles • o  Divided from five classes to over 300 • o  Stronger hereditary principles • o  Allowed India’s people to live together without perpetual conflict • o  Because of the loyalty to these rules, no state could command similar loyalty • Religion was the cement !!

  9. Hinduism • Origins in the Vedic and Epic Ages • No founder, no central figure so it unfolded gradually • Encouraged economic and political goals • Very tolerant • Upanishads- stressed the shallowness of worldly concerns • Provided several channels for the good life • Supplied some unity • Allowed people to hold on to some older rituals

  10. Buddhism • C. 563 BCE Siddhartha Gautama was born • Argued for the individual and went against the caste system and the priests • Wasn’t able to hold a strong portion of India ultimately

  11. Other Cultural Developments • Indian thinkers wrote actively about human life • Important work in math and science • Vast university center (Guptas) • Strides in astronomy and medicine • Numbering system is the one we use today • Concept of zero and negative numbers • Lively art including stupas- shrines to Buddha

  12. Economy • Economy became vigorous- rivaling China • New uses for chemistry- steel the best in the world • Emphasis on trade and merchant activity far greater than in China where merchants enjoyed relatively high caste status and flexibility • Indian Ocean trade still dependent on Monsoon winds • Technological developments: dhow, lateen sails • Exported cotton, textiles, salt, iron, spices • Standardized currency • Despite active trade, it remained agricultural at its base

  13. Society • Caste system • Family life also emphasized the them of hierarchy and tight organization • Dominance of husbands and fathers • Arranged marriages • Women, however, were celebrated in stories and theory was much harsher than practice

  14. Influence of Classical India • Indian ocean dominated by Indian merchants • India had considerable political influence • Many Indian merchants married into wealthy royal families in SE Asia • Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism

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