ClassicalSouth Asia

Indus Valley civilization ended by 1500 BCE

The Classical Indian Sub-Continent

• Two features:– Political Fragmentation – Vast Cultural Diversity

• So what gave the Indian subcontinent a recognizable identity?

Hinduism• No central prophet• Diversity• Not missionary

Hinduism• No central prophet• Diversity• Not missionary• Key concept: SAMSARA (=

reincarnation)

Brahmanatman

atmanatman

atman

atman

atmanatman

atmanatman atmanatman atman atmanatman

atman

DharmaKarma

DharmaKarma

DharmaKarma

Moksha

Adapted slide originally made by former AP students

Vedic Origins of Hinduism• Rig Veda (~1500-

1000 BCE) • Sacrifice of Purusha– “The Brahmin was his

mouth, his two arms were made the Rajanya [Kshatriya, king and warrior], his two thighs [loins] the Vaishya, from his feet the Sudra [servile class] was born.”

Vedic Origins of Hinduism

4 Noble Truths

• Life is…?• Suffering is caused by…?• Suffering can have…?• The ____ can end suffering

Hinduism vs. Buddhism?

•Karma and reincarnation•Brahmins•Caste system

Early Buddhist Art

A Hindu woman gives offerings and performs prayers to the goddess Lakshmi

at her home shrine

Mauryan Empire(326-184 BCE)• Large military• Civilian

bureaucracy reported to Pataliputra

• Taxes

Asoka’s Rock Pillar Edicts

Asoka’s Rock Pillar Edicts

Asoka’s Rock Pillar Edicts

Asoka’s Rock Pillar EdictsBeloved-of-the-Gods…conquered the Kalingas eight years after his coronation…After the Kalinga had been conquered, Beloved-of-the-Gods came to feel a strong inclination towards the Dhamma, a love for the Dhamma and for instruction in the Dhamma. Now Beloved-of-the-Gods feels deep remorse for having conquered the Kalinga…Now Beloved-of-the-Gods thinks that even those who do wrong should be forgiven where forgiveness is possible. Even the forest people, who live in Beloved-of-the-Gods’ domain, are entreated and reasoned with to act properly. They are told that despite his remorse Beloved-of-the-Gods has the power to punish them if necessary, so that they should be ashamed of their wrong and not be killed. Truly, Beloved-of-the-Gods desires non-injury, restraint, and impartiality to all beings, even where wrong has been done… I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and great-grandsons may not consider making new conquests, or that if military conquests are made, that they be done with forbearance and light punishment…

Asoka’s Rock Pillar Edicts

Asoka’s Rock Pillar Edicts

Asoka’s Rock Pillar Edicts

Compare Emperors

• Augustus (1st century CE)• Qin Shi Huangdi Han Empire (3rd

century BCE)• Asoka (3rd century BCE)– Centralization is short; political

fragmentation by 2nd century BCE – Nonetheless thriving cultural and

economic life

Gupta Empire320-535 CE

• Smaller than Mauryan

• Supported Hinduism

• Had more local lords,

as well as road-buildingand tribute.

• End?

Despite political

disunity….?!