India & Southeast Asia

The Vedic Age Aryas v.Dasas

Varna Class Structure =1. Brahmin (Priests/Scholars)2. Kshatriya (Warriors)3. Varshya (Merchants)4. Shudra (Peasant/Laborers)5. Untouchables (Demeaning

work)

Jati = Subdivision of the 4 main Varna (Caste) Rules (Jobs, duties, interaction

among Jati groups)

Religion / Role of Women Worship via sacrifice Study, participate in rituals,

own property

Jainism, Buddhism & Hinduism

Formed by monopoly of the Brahmins

Jainism Founded: Mahavira Nonviolence to all living things

Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama The Four Noble Truths /

Eightfold Path to Enlightenment 2 Sects = Mahayana (new) &

Theraveda (old)

Hinduism Reformed Vedic Religion Devotion to the gods (Vishnu,

Shiva, & Devi) = 1 Divine Force Puja & Pilgrimage (Ganges

river) Dominant Religion

The Mauryan Empire 324-184 BCE Formed from Kingdom of Magadha

Strategic Geographic Location Agricultural & Iron Resources

Mauryan Government Capitol: Pataliputra Large Army 25% Agricultural Tax State Monopolies (mines, ships,

weapons)

Notable Leaders Founder: Chandragupta Ashoka = Buddhism state adopted

religion (Buddhist empire!)

Era of Political Fragmentation Economic & Cultural Development North = Guilds / Deccan State Central = Religious authority /

Urbanization South = Artistic / 3 kingdoms

The Gupta Empire 320-550 CE Magadha Kingdom…again

Controlled Central & Northern India

Copied Mauryan Govt. Structure Except: Weak military & theatre-state

Gupta Culture Trade with SE Asia Literacy / Mathematics Arabic

numerals & concept of zero Women = No right to own land,

treated like Shudra, married young, social status determined treatment

Religion = Hinduism / Tolerant Collapse = Military Spending (Huns)

Southern India Warrior Kingdoms (Pallavas & Cholas)

Southeast Asia 50-1025 CE

3 Geographic Zones Indochina Mainland Malay Peninsula Islands

Natural Resources & Agriculture Fertile soil / Several Growing

Seasons Domestic Animals / Agricultural

Products Swidden = Slash & Burn

agriculture

Migrations Malay peoples from Southern

China

First Major State = Funan 1st thru 6th Century Mekong Delta