CLASSICAL CLASSICAL INDIAINDIAFROM THE FROM THE MAURYANS MAURYANS

TO THE GUPTASTO THE GUPTAS

THE LATE THE LATE VEDIC AGEVEDIC AGE

The Vedic Age: 1500 – 500 BCEThe Vedic Age: 1500 – 500 BCE Name from Vedas, which records historyName from Vedas, which records history Began with Aryan migration into IndiaBegan with Aryan migration into India Aryans pushed into Ganges, up to DeccanAryans pushed into Ganges, up to Deccan Eventually nomadic Aryans settled downEventually nomadic Aryans settled down Ruled local inhabitants (dasas, Dravidians) Ruled local inhabitants (dasas, Dravidians)

Ganges Republics (mahajanapadas): 900 – 500 BCEGanges Republics (mahajanapadas): 900 – 500 BCE Generally 16 larger states dominated Indus-Ganges Generally 16 larger states dominated Indus-Ganges

RegionRegion Republics dominated by kshatriyans (warrior-rulers)Republics dominated by kshatriyans (warrior-rulers) States vied for power constantly with each otherStates vied for power constantly with each other Within states, kshatriyans vied for power with rulersWithin states, kshatriyans vied for power with rulers Rulers performed social, religious ritualsRulers performed social, religious rituals

Magahda was one of the most dominant of the statesMagahda was one of the most dominant of the states Religious society dominated by brahminsReligious society dominated by brahmins

Controlled ritual, rites, religious dutiesControlled ritual, rites, religious duties Religion often called Brahmamism Religion often called Brahmamism

JAINISMJAINISM Vardhamana Mahavira Vardhamana Mahavira

Born in north India, 540 B.C.E. Born in north India, 540 B.C.E. Left family, searching for salvation from cycle of incarnation Left family, searching for salvation from cycle of incarnation Gained enlightenment, taught an ascetic doctrine Gained enlightenment, taught an ascetic doctrine His disciples began to lead a monastic life His disciples began to lead a monastic life Mahavira became Mahavira became JinaJina, the "conqueror," and followers, , the "conqueror," and followers, JainsJains

Jainist doctrine and ethicsJainist doctrine and ethics Inspired by the Upanishads Inspired by the Upanishads Everything in the universe possessed a soul Everything in the universe possessed a soul Striving to purify one's selfish behavior to attain a state of bliss Striving to purify one's selfish behavior to attain a state of bliss The principle of The principle of ahimsaahimsa, nonviolence toward all living things , nonviolence toward all living things Believed that almost all occupations entailed violence of some kind Believed that almost all occupations entailed violence of some kind Too demanding, not a practical alternative to the cult of the Too demanding, not a practical alternative to the cult of the

brahminsbrahmins Appeal of Jainism Appeal of Jainism

Social implication: Individual souls equally participated in ultimate Social implication: Individual souls equally participated in ultimate reality reality

The Jains did not recognize social hierarchies of caste and The Jains did not recognize social hierarchies of caste and jatijati Became attractive to members of lower castes Became attractive to members of lower castes The ascetic tradition continues to today The ascetic tradition continues to today

EARLY BUDDHISMEARLY BUDDHISM Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.)Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.E.)

Born in 563 B.C.E. to the Kshatriya casteBorn in 563 B.C.E. to the Kshatriya caste Witnessed miseries of the human condition Witnessed miseries of the human condition Gave up his comfortable lifeGave up his comfortable life Began searching for enlightenment Began searching for enlightenment Intense meditation and extreme asceticism Intense meditation and extreme asceticism Received enlightenment under the bo tree Received enlightenment under the bo tree

The Buddha and his followers The Buddha and his followers "Turning of the Wheel of the Law," 528 B.C.E. "Turning of the Wheel of the Law," 528 B.C.E. Organized followers into a community of monksOrganized followers into a community of monks Traveled, preached throughout north IndiaTraveled, preached throughout north India

Buddhist doctrine: The Buddhist doctrine: The dharmadharma The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths

All life involves suffering All life involves suffering Desire is the cause of suffering Desire is the cause of suffering Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering Elimination of desire brings an end to suffering The Noble Eightfold Path brings the elimination of desireThe Noble Eightfold Path brings the elimination of desire

The Noble Eightfold Path (“Setting the wheel in motion”)The Noble Eightfold Path (“Setting the wheel in motion”) Right belief, right resolve, right speech, right behaviorRight belief, right resolve, right speech, right behavior Right occupation, right effort, right contemplation, and right meditation Right occupation, right effort, right contemplation, and right meditation

Religious goal: Religious goal: NirvanaNirvana, a state of perfect spiritual , a state of perfect spiritual independenceindependence

APPEAL OF BUDDHISMAPPEAL OF BUDDHISM Appealed strongly to members of lower castes Appealed strongly to members of lower castes

Salvation without services of the brahmins Salvation without services of the brahmins Did not recognize social hierarchies of castes and Did not recognize social hierarchies of castes and jatijati

Appealed to women as all souls considered equalAppealed to women as all souls considered equal Less demanding than Jainism, more popular Less demanding than Jainism, more popular Used vernacular tongues, not Sanskrit Used vernacular tongues, not Sanskrit Holy sites and pilgrims Holy sites and pilgrims The monastic organizationsThe monastic organizations

Spread the Buddhist message, won convertsSpread the Buddhist message, won converts Could be endowed by others to support the religionCould be endowed by others to support the religion Centers of learning, good works, contemplation Centers of learning, good works, contemplation

Ashoka's support Ashoka's support Emperor Ashoka became a devout Buddhist, 206 B.C.E. Emperor Ashoka became a devout Buddhist, 206 B.C.E. Banned animal sacrifices in honor of Banned animal sacrifices in honor of ahimsaahimsa Granted lands to monasteries Granted lands to monasteries Sent missionaries to Bactria and CeylonSent missionaries to Bactria and Ceylon

SPREAD SPREAD OF OF

BUDDHISBUDDHISMM

VARIANTS OF VARIANTS OF BUDDHISMBUDDHISM Early Buddhism Early Buddhism

Made heavy demands on individuals Made heavy demands on individuals Giving up personal property Giving up personal property Forsaking the search for social standing Forsaking the search for social standing Detaching oneself from worldly pleasures Detaching oneself from worldly pleasures

Development of Buddhism Development of Buddhism Buddha gradually seen as god by ex-Hindus, in ChinaBuddha gradually seen as god by ex-Hindus, in China The The bodhisatvabodhisatva - "an enlightened being" - "an enlightened being" Monasteries accepted gifts from wealthy individuals Monasteries accepted gifts from wealthy individuals Buddhism became more attractive Buddhism became more attractive

The Schism of Buddhism: Was he a god or man? The Schism of Buddhism: Was he a god or man? MahayanaMahayana - "the greater vehicle" - "the greater vehicle"

Spread to Central, East Asia Spread to Central, East Asia Blended in India with Hinduism, which coopted Buddha Blended in India with Hinduism, which coopted Buddha

as a god as a god Coopted Chinese traditions and Taoist gods in ChinaCoopted Chinese traditions and Taoist gods in China

Hinayana or TheravadaHinayana or Theravada Continued to view Buddha as humanContinued to view Buddha as human Practiced in Sri Lanka, parts of India, SE AsiaPracticed in Sri Lanka, parts of India, SE Asia

Buddhism died out in India as it merged with HinduismBuddhism died out in India as it merged with Hinduism

RISE OF MAURYAN RISE OF MAURYAN EMPIREEMPIRE

Western Intrusions Western Intrusions Intrusions of Persians (520 B.C.E.)Intrusions of Persians (520 B.C.E.)

Persians established Indus satrapy Persians established Indus satrapy Introduced imperial government, ruling style, coinsIntroduced imperial government, ruling style, coins

The Greek Interlude (c. 327 B.C.E.)The Greek Interlude (c. 327 B.C.E.) Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Invaded IndiaAlexander the Great conquered Persia, Invaded India Alexander’s withdrawal left a political vacuum Alexander’s withdrawal left a political vacuum Seleucid Empire succeeded to Alexander’s lands in India Seleucid Empire succeeded to Alexander’s lands in India Magadha kingdom filled the vacuumMagadha kingdom filled the vacuum in Gangesin Ganges

Chandragupta MauryaChandragupta Maurya As young prince, held hostage by Greeks, escaped back to As young prince, held hostage by Greeks, escaped back to

IndiaIndia Overthrew the Magadha kingdom in 321 B.C.E. Overthrew the Magadha kingdom in 321 B.C.E. The founder of the Mauryan empire The founder of the Mauryan empire Conquered the Greek state in Bactria, Selecuid control of Conquered the Greek state in Bactria, Selecuid control of

Indus Indus Chandragupta's empire embraced all of northern IndiaChandragupta's empire embraced all of northern India

Chandragupta's government Chandragupta's government Government procedures devised by Kautalya, the advisor of the Government procedures devised by Kautalya, the advisor of the

empire empire The political handbook, The political handbook, ArthashastraArthashastra, outlined administrative , outlined administrative

methodsmethods

ASHOKAASHOKA Ashoka Maurya (reigned 268-232 B.C.E.) Ashoka Maurya (reigned 268-232 B.C.E.)

Chandragupta's grandsonChandragupta's grandson The high point of the Mauryan empire The high point of the Mauryan empire Conquered the kingdom of Kalinga, 260 B.C.E.Conquered the kingdom of Kalinga, 260 B.C.E. Developed remorse and renounced future warDeveloped remorse and renounced future war

Ruled through tightly organized bureaucracy Ruled through tightly organized bureaucracy Established capital at Pataliputra Established capital at Pataliputra Policies of encouraging agriculture and trade Policies of encouraging agriculture and trade

Converted to BuddhismConverted to Buddhism Established a tolerant rule of righteousnessEstablished a tolerant rule of righteousness Sent out missionaries to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Central AsiaSent out missionaries to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Central Asia

Decline of the Mauryan Empire Decline of the Mauryan Empire Ashoka died in 232 B.C.E. Ashoka died in 232 B.C.E. Heirs were not strong and cost of ruling was expensiveHeirs were not strong and cost of ruling was expensive Suffered from acute financial and economic difficulties Suffered from acute financial and economic difficulties

High cost for maintaining army and bureaucrats High cost for maintaining army and bureaucrats Debasing the currency, not a effective resolution Debasing the currency, not a effective resolution

The empire collapsed by 185 B.C.E.The empire collapsed by 185 B.C.E.

THE NOMADIC THE NOMADIC INTERLUDEINTERLUDE

Northwestern Kingdoms: 200 BCE to 300 CENorthwestern Kingdoms: 200 BCE to 300 CE Indo-European nomads enter India from Central AsiaIndo-European nomads enter India from Central Asia

Indo-Greeks came from Bactria c. 180 BCEIndo-Greeks came from Bactria c. 180 BCE Indo-Scythians (Sakas) come from C. Asia c. 80 BCEIndo-Scythians (Sakas) come from C. Asia c. 80 BCE Indo-Parthians came from Persia c. 20 CEIndo-Parthians came from Persia c. 20 CE

Influenced Indian art, commerce, religionInfluenced Indian art, commerce, religion Syncretic blending of Greek culture, BuddhismSyncretic blending of Greek culture, Buddhism Indians saw them as foreigners, impure barbariansIndians saw them as foreigners, impure barbarians Linked India to the Silk Road, China, Western AsiaLinked India to the Silk Road, China, Western Asia Became “Indianized” over timeBecame “Indianized” over time

The KushansThe Kushans Indo-Europeans pushed out of ChinaIndo-Europeans pushed out of China

Took over Scythians, Central Asia, Northwestern IndiaTook over Scythians, Central Asia, Northwestern India Dominated Silk Road trade between Mediterranean, ChinaDominated Silk Road trade between Mediterranean, China

Adopted Buddhism, blended with Greek, Persian traditionsAdopted Buddhism, blended with Greek, Persian traditions Gandaran art style was a major artistic periodGandaran art style was a major artistic period Helped facilitate spread of Buddhism back to ChinaHelped facilitate spread of Buddhism back to China

THE GUPTASTHE GUPTAS The Gupta Dynasty: 320 CE to 550 CE The Gupta Dynasty: 320 CE to 550 CE

India was controlled by regional kingdoms India was controlled by regional kingdoms The Gupta state rose to power in Magadha The Gupta state rose to power in Magadha Chandra Gupta founded the new dynasty Chandra Gupta founded the new dynasty

Gupta Government Gupta Government Dynasty was relatively decentralizedDynasty was relatively decentralized Local rulers had great powerLocal rulers had great power Theatre state: ruler had ceremonial functions Theatre state: ruler had ceremonial functions Devaraja Cult: ruler was incarnation of a godDevaraja Cult: ruler was incarnation of a god

An Indian Golden AgeAn Indian Golden Age Guptas supported revival of Hinduism Guptas supported revival of Hinduism During this age Hinduism took its major formDuring this age Hinduism took its major form Guptas supported arts, sciences, mathematicsGuptas supported arts, sciences, mathematics

Gupta decline Gupta decline Invasion of White Huns weakened the empire Invasion of White Huns weakened the empire After 5th century C.E., Gupta dynasty ruled in name only After 5th century C.E., Gupta dynasty ruled in name only Large regional kingdoms dominated political life in India Large regional kingdoms dominated political life in India

POPULAR POPULAR HINDUISMHINDUISM The epics The epics

MahabharataMahabharata A secular poem revised by brahmin scholars A secular poem revised by brahmin scholars Honored Vishnu, the preserver of the worldHonored Vishnu, the preserver of the world The The Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita

A short poetic work within the MahabharataA short poetic work within the Mahabharata A dialogue between the god Vishnu and Prince Arjuna A dialogue between the god Vishnu and Prince Arjuna Illustrated expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation Illustrated expectations of Hinduism and promise of salvation

RamayanaRamayana Secular story of Rama and Sita was changed into a Hindu storySecular story of Rama and Sita was changed into a Hindu story Shows extent of spread of Hinduism in regionShows extent of spread of Hinduism in region

Hindu ethics Hindu ethics Lower demands for achieving salvation Lower demands for achieving salvation Individuals should meet their responsibilities in detached fashion Individuals should meet their responsibilities in detached fashion Balance of Balance of dharma, artha, karmadharma, artha, karma to attain to attain moksha, moksha, endend samsara samsara

Popularity of Hinduism Popularity of Hinduism Became more popular than Buddhism; Buddhism too aesthetic Became more popular than Buddhism; Buddhism too aesthetic The Guptas helped Hinduism become the dominant religionThe Guptas helped Hinduism become the dominant religion Guptas placed Brahmins as lead caste above Kshatriyas Guptas placed Brahmins as lead caste above Kshatriyas

ECONOMICS AND ECONOMICS AND SOCIALSOCIAL

Towns and manufacturingTowns and manufacturing Towns dotted countryside after 600 B.C.E. Towns dotted countryside after 600 B.C.E. Towns provided manufactured, luxury goods Towns provided manufactured, luxury goods

Long-distance tradeLong-distance trade Invasions by Persians helped build trade networks Invasions by Persians helped build trade networks Trade with China through silk roads of central Asia Trade with China through silk roads of central Asia Trade in Indian Ocean basin, Africa to Southeast AsiaTrade in Indian Ocean basin, Africa to Southeast Asia Spread Buddhism, Hinduism to Central, Southeast AsiaSpread Buddhism, Hinduism to Central, Southeast Asia

Social and gender relationsSocial and gender relations Strong patriarchal families; subordination of women to men Strong patriarchal families; subordination of women to men Child marriage placed women under control of old men Child marriage placed women under control of old men

Development of caste systemDevelopment of caste system New social groups of artisans, craftsmen, and merchants appeared New social groups of artisans, craftsmen, and merchants appeared Individuals of same trade or craft formed a guild; guilds were subcastes, Individuals of same trade or craft formed a guild; guilds were subcastes,

jatis jatis Functions of guilds: social security and welfare systems Functions of guilds: social security and welfare systems

Wealth and social orderWealth and social order Trade and industry brought prosperity to many Trade and industry brought prosperity to many vaishyasvaishyas and and shudrasshudras Old beliefs and values of early Aryan society became increasingly Old beliefs and values of early Aryan society became increasingly

irrelevant irrelevant