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Classical India

Classical India. Social Structure. Religion intertwined with social class Varnas : warrior-governing class Brahmans: priestly class Kshatriyans : traders and farmers Sudras : common laborers Untouchables Caste was hereditary After the Epic Age, castes are subdivided into sub-castes

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Classical India

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  1. Classical India

  2. Social Structure • Religion intertwined with social class Varnas: warrior-governing class Brahmans: priestly class Kshatriyans: traders and farmers Sudras: common laborers Untouchables • Caste was hereditary • After the Epic Age, castes are subdivided into sub-castes • Social mobility is limited • Husbands and fathers dominate • Women had more flexibility than religious literature indicated

  3. The Indian Sub-continent (1st-6th Centuries)Western Indian (5th-4th centuries BC) • Persian influence  • Alexander the Great and the Macedonians • Maurya Empire (322-185 BC) • Chandragupta • Unified much of India • Maintained large army • Developed bureaucracy • Established postal service • Brutal secret police • Autocratic governing style (Artha) Chandragupta II. 380-414 AD. Gold Dinar (9.07 gm; 20 mm). Chandragupta standing left, holding arrow and bow; Garuda standard behind / The goddess Laksmi seated facing, holding diadem and lotus.

  4. Ashoka • We already know about him… Lion Capital of Sarnath (Ashokan) The SanchiStupa (3rd century BC).

  5. After Asoka’s death, Maurya power declined Kingdoms of the Deccan • Divided into many kingdoms • More Dravidians (Tamils) • Trade was important & it increased as the Roman Empire fell

  6. Fragmentation and Disorder (2nd century BC - AD 4th century) • Very mild-natured • Trade & Farming flourished • Many advances in learning • First used “Arabic” numerals and zero and decimal system • Used simple surgery & first vaccinations The Guptas came to power in AD 320. Guptas favored Hinduism Renewed emphasis was also placed on the caste system Golden Age - Period of peace, prosperity, and culture flowering, cultural achievements Literature was written in Sanskrit, the Indian literary language

  7. Political Institutions Regionalism: central government over a diversity of political forms Brief periods of political unity Long periods of fragmentation and disunity  Unity from culture rather than politics Strong caste ties mean that people feel closer to the community than the government

  8. Economics • Much manufacturing and trade • Merchants enjoyed high caste sataus • Trade with Northern India and Middle East • Indian Ocean Trade

  9. Architecture, Art, & Literature • Rajas sponsored magnificent temples • Buddhists built stupas and carvings told the life of the Buddha. • Hindu temples were covered w/ carvings (4-armed Shiva popular) • Sanskrit literature during Gupta period • Kalidasa – most famous writer • Wrote Shakuntala • Sensual art and poetry styles • Focused on mathematics

  10. Foreign invaders would later end the Gupta empire • India was split into many kingdoms. • The Maurya & Guptas lasted over 1000 years

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