indian empires: maurya, kushan, and gupta empires

41
Cultural Cohesion 1500 B.C.E.-600 C.E. Originally created by Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY

Upload: ivi

Post on 14-Jan-2016

175 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

DESCRIPTION

Indian Empires: Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta Empires. Originally created by Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY. Cultural Cohesion 1500 B.C.E.-600 C.E. Aryan Migration. pastoral  depended on their cattle. warriors  horse-drawn chariots. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

TRANSCRIPT

Cultural Cohesion

1500 B.C.E.-600 C.E.

Cultural Cohesion

1500 B.C.E.-600 C.E.

Originally created by Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY

Aryan Migration

pastoral depended on their cattle.

warriors horse-drawn chariots.

Caste and VarnaCaste and Varna

• Caste identities developed gradually as the Aryans established Caste identities developed gradually as the Aryans established settlements throughout India.settlements throughout India.

• The Aryans used the term Varna (Color) to refer to the major The Aryans used the term Varna (Color) to refer to the major social classes. “Wheat colored v. darker skinned”social classes. “Wheat colored v. darker skinned”

• After about 1000 B.C.E., the Aryans increasingly recognized After about 1000 B.C.E., the Aryans increasingly recognized four main Varnas: Brahmins (priests), kshatriyas (warriors and four main Varnas: Brahmins (priests), kshatriyas (warriors and aristocrats), vaishyas (cultivators, merchants, artisans), and aristocrats), vaishyas (cultivators, merchants, artisans), and shudras (landless peasants and serfs). Untouchables came shudras (landless peasants and serfs). Untouchables came laterlater

• Dravidians believed that humans souls took on new physical Dravidians believed that humans souls took on new physical forms after deaths of their bodily hosts. Sometimes souls forms after deaths of their bodily hosts. Sometimes souls returned as plants or animals, sometimes in the bodily shell of returned as plants or animals, sometimes in the bodily shell of newborn humans.newborn humans.

• Transmigration and reincarnationTransmigration and reincarnation

Varna (Social Hierarchy)

ShudrasShudras

VaishyasVaishyas

Kshatriyas Kshatriyas

Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

BrahminsBrahmins

The Vedic Age

The foundations for Hinduism were

established!

The Empires of IndiaThe Empires of India

Establishment of StatesEstablishment of States

Fortunes of Empire in IndiaFortunes of Empire in India

• By 700 B.C.E., wars of expansion had resulted in By 700 B.C.E., wars of expansion had resulted in consolidation of several large regional kingdoms that consolidation of several large regional kingdoms that dominated much of the subcontinent.dominated much of the subcontinent.

• However, it is believed that none of these earlier However, it is believed that none of these earlier kingdoms were able to establish hegemony over the kingdoms were able to establish hegemony over the others.others.

• During the classical era, the Mauryan, Kushan, and the During the classical era, the Mauryan, Kushan, and the Gupta Empires founded centralized, imperial states that Gupta Empires founded centralized, imperial states that embraced much of India, but neither empire survived embraced much of India, but neither empire survived long enough to establish centralized rule of the entire long enough to establish centralized rule of the entire subcontinent as a lasting feature of Indian life.subcontinent as a lasting feature of Indian life.

• Cholan Empire (Tamil Nadu) would control much of the Cholan Empire (Tamil Nadu) would control much of the south until the British Raj. [300 BCE-1279 CE]south until the British Raj. [300 BCE-1279 CE]

Unification of IndiaUnification of India

• The strive for unification of India came partly The strive for unification of India came partly as a result of intrusion from beyond the as a result of intrusion from beyond the subcontinent. subcontinent.

• About 520 B.C.E. the Persian emperor Darius About 520 B.C.E. the Persian emperor Darius crossed the Hindu Kush, conquered parts of crossed the Hindu Kush, conquered parts of NW India, and made what is now Punjab in NW India, and made what is now Punjab in northern Pakistan part of the Achaemenid northern Pakistan part of the Achaemenid Empire. Persian ways were embraced.Empire. Persian ways were embraced.

• Almost two centuries later in 327 B.C.E., after Almost two centuries later in 327 B.C.E., after overrunning the Persian empire, Alexander of overrunning the Persian empire, Alexander of Macedon crossed the Indus River and crushed Macedon crossed the Indus River and crushed the state he found there.the state he found there.

Mauryan EmpireMauryan Empire

• Alexander and his armies did not stay in NW Alexander and his armies did not stay in NW India and his withdrawal created a vacuum by India and his withdrawal created a vacuum by removing the existing states.removing the existing states.

• During the late 320’s B.C.E., an ambitious During the late 320’s B.C.E., an ambitious adventurer named Chandragupta Maurya adventurer named Chandragupta Maurya exploited that opportunity and laid the exploited that opportunity and laid the foundations for the Mauryan Empire, the first foundations for the Mauryan Empire, the first state to bring a centralized and unified state to bring a centralized and unified government to most of the subcontinent. government to most of the subcontinent.

• He also continued on and captured the He also continued on and captured the Bactrian lands and eventually all of northern Bactrian lands and eventually all of northern India from the Indus to the Ganges.India from the Indus to the Ganges.

Maurya EmpireMaurya Empire

321 B.C.E.- 185 B.C.E.321 B.C.E.- 185 B.C.E.

The Maurya EmpireThe Maurya EmpireThe Maurya EmpireThe Maurya Empire

321 BCE – 185 BCE321 BCE – 185 BCE

Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCEChandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCEChandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCEChandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE

* Divided his empire into* Divided his empire into provinces, then districts provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law for tax assessments and law enforcement. enforcement.

He feared assassination He feared assassination food food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc.tasters, slept in different rooms, etc.

Like Persia and China, a bureaucratic Like Persia and China, a bureaucratic administrative system enabled him to administrative system enabled him to implement policies throughout the stateimplement policies throughout the state

KautilyaKautilyaKautilyaKautilya Chandragupta’s advisor.Chandragupta’s advisor.

Brahmin caste.Brahmin caste.

Wrote Wrote The Treatise onThe Treatise on Material Gain Material Gain or the or the ArthashastraArthashastra..

A guide for the king and his ministers:A guide for the king and his ministers:

Supports royal power.Supports royal power.

The great evil in society is The great evil in society is anarchyanarchy..

Therefore, a single authority is Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when needed to employ force when necessary necessary

SuccessionSuccession

• Tradition holds that Chandragupta abdicated Tradition holds that Chandragupta abdicated his throne to become a monk and eventually his throne to become a monk and eventually starved himself to death.starved himself to death.

• Whether this is true or not, it is certain that his Whether this is true or not, it is certain that his son succeeded him in 297 B.C.E. and added son succeeded him in 297 B.C.E. and added most of southern India to the growing empire. most of southern India to the growing empire.

• The high point of the Mauryan Empire came The high point of the Mauryan Empire came during the reign of Chandragupta’s grandson, during the reign of Chandragupta’s grandson, Asoka. Asoka.

Asoka’s reign Asoka’s reign (268-232 B.C.E.)(268-232 B.C.E.)

• Asoka’s first major Asoka’s first major undertaking was to undertaking was to conquer a region of east-conquer a region of east-central India known as central India known as Kalinga.Kalinga.

• By Asoka’s estimate By Asoka’s estimate 100,000 died and over 100,000 died and over 150,000 were removed 150,000 were removed from their lands.from their lands.

• Some scholars debate that Some scholars debate that because of the bloody because of the bloody campaign, Asoka campaign, Asoka converted to Buddhsim.converted to Buddhsim.

Asoka’s Asoka’s Empire Empire based based

in in SarnathSarnath

Asoka’s Asoka’s Empire Empire based based

in in SarnathSarnath

Asoka’s law Asoka’s law codecode

Asoka’s law Asoka’s law codecode Edicts scattered inEdicts scattered in

more than 30 places more than 30 places in India, Nepal, in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan. Pakistan, & Afghanistan.

Written mostly inWritten mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic. Greek and Aramaic.

10 rock edicts.10 rock edicts.

Each pillar [Each pillar [stupastupa] is 40’-50’ high.] is 40’-50’ high.

Buddhist principles dominate his Buddhist principles dominate his laws.laws.

All living things…All living things…

One of One of Asoka’s Asoka’s StupasStupas

One of One of Asoka’s Asoka’s StupasStupas

Asoka’s ruleAsoka’s rule

• As a result of Asoka’s policies, most of India was As a result of Asoka’s policies, most of India was integrated and benefited from an expanding integrated and benefited from an expanding economy and a stable government.economy and a stable government.

• He encouraged trade by building roads, some over He encouraged trade by building roads, some over 1000 miles long, to link India to the West. Along the 1000 miles long, to link India to the West. Along the roads trees were planted, wells were dug, and inns roads trees were planted, wells were dug, and inns were established.were established.

• Asoka died in 232 B.C.E. and decline set in almost Asoka died in 232 B.C.E. and decline set in almost immediately. Many scholars believe the excessive immediately. Many scholars believe the excessive pay and costs of administration helped to pave the pay and costs of administration helped to pave the way and by 185 B.C.E., the Mauryan Empire had way and by 185 B.C.E., the Mauryan Empire had disappeared.disappeared.

Turmoil & a power Vacuum:Turmoil & a power Vacuum:220 BCE – 320 CE220 BCE – 320 CE

Turmoil & a power Vacuum:Turmoil & a power Vacuum:220 BCE – 320 CE220 BCE – 320 CE

Tamils

Tamils

The Maurya Empire is divided into many The Maurya Empire is divided into many kingdoms.kingdoms.

TransitionTransition

• Although the Mauryan Empire came to an end, Although the Mauryan Empire came to an end, India did not crumble into anarchy. Regional India did not crumble into anarchy. Regional kingdoms emerged most notably were the kingdoms emerged most notably were the Bactrians, Kushans, and the Tamil NaduBactrians, Kushans, and the Tamil Nadu

• The Indo-Greek Bactrian nomads controlled a The Indo-Greek Bactrian nomads controlled a large territory in northern India. Bactria was a large territory in northern India. Bactria was a thriving commercial center linking lands from thriving commercial center linking lands from China to the west.China to the west.

• This region became a cultural crossroads of This region became a cultural crossroads of the now emerging silk road. Most notably was the now emerging silk road. Most notably was the Bamiyan Valley in modern-day the Bamiyan Valley in modern-day Afghanistan.Afghanistan.

Kushan EmpireKushan Empire

30 C.E. – 375 C.E.30 C.E. – 375 C.E.

The Kushan EmpireThe Kushan Empire

The “Forgotten The “Forgotten Empire”Empire”

The Kushan EmpireThe Kushan Empire

The “Forgotten The “Forgotten Empire”Empire”

3 CE – 375 CE3 CE – 375 CE

The Kushan EmpireThe Kushan Empire

• The Kushans eventually conquered the The Kushans eventually conquered the Bactrians and ruled much of northern Bactrians and ruled much of northern India and central Asia from about 1C.E. India and central Asia from about 1C.E. to 300 C.E.to 300 C.E.

• Under Kanishka, the most prominent of Under Kanishka, the most prominent of the Kushan emperors, commerce the Kushan emperors, commerce resumed and the silk road network resumed and the silk road network again flowed between Persia (Sassanid) again flowed between Persia (Sassanid) and Han China, but imperial rule was and Han China, but imperial rule was not firmly established. not firmly established.

Kanishka Kanishka (127-151)(127-151)

• KKing of Kings ing of Kings • Son of God, ShahSon of God, Shah• Uzbekistan to southern India- Capital city- Uzbekistan to southern India- Capital city-

Peshwar and MathuraPeshwar and Mathura• Raw silk from China made into fine linensRaw silk from China made into fine linens• Pepper, Peacocks, SpicePepper, Peacocks, Spice• 700 feet high stupa- Buddha’s remains700 feet high stupa- Buddha’s remains

Kushan EmpireKushan Empire

• Trade, trade, trade…Trade, trade, trade…• Buddhism flourished and brought to Buddhism flourished and brought to

ChinaChina• Open-minded, multicultural empireOpen-minded, multicultural empire• Arts, literature, and scienceArts, literature, and science• Knowledge of Plants, medicines, etc.Knowledge of Plants, medicines, etc.• Peace, trade, and tolerancePeace, trade, and tolerance

DeclineDecline

• the Kushan empire split into western and eastern halves. the Kushan empire split into western and eastern halves. The Western Kushans (in Afghanistan) were soon The Western Kushans (in Afghanistan) were soon subjugated by the Persian Sassanid Empire and lost Bactria subjugated by the Persian Sassanid Empire and lost Bactria and other territories.and other territories.

• Then in the mid 4th century they were subjugated by the Then in the mid 4th century they were subjugated by the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta.Gupta Empire under Samudragupta.

• These remnants of the Kushan empire were ultimately These remnants of the Kushan empire were ultimately wiped out in the 5th century by the invasions of the White wiped out in the 5th century by the invasions of the White Huns, and later the expansion of Islam.Huns, and later the expansion of Islam.

The Gupta EmpireThe Gupta Empire

320 C.E.- 647 C.E.320 C.E.- 647 C.E.

The Gupta DynastyThe Gupta Dynasty

• Like the Mauryas, the Guptas based their state Like the Mauryas, the Guptas based their state in the center of northern India near the Ganges.in the center of northern India near the Ganges.

• The new empire arose on the foundations laid by The new empire arose on the foundations laid by Chandra Gupta (Not related to Chandragupta Chandra Gupta (Not related to Chandragupta Maurya) who established a kingdom around the Maurya) who established a kingdom around the year 320 C.E.year 320 C.E.

• His successors, Samundra Gupta and Chandra His successors, Samundra Gupta and Chandra Gupta II conquered many of the regional Gupta II conquered many of the regional kingdoms of India and established tributary kingdoms of India and established tributary alliances.alliances.

Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CEGupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CEGupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CEGupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE

Gupta RulersGupta RulersGupta RulersGupta Rulers Chandra GuptaChandra Gupta II

r. 320 – 335 CEr. 320 – 335 CE

“ “Great King of Great King of Kings”Kings”

Chandra Gupta IIChandra Gupta II

r. 375 - 415 CEr. 375 - 415 CE

Profitable trade Profitable trade withwith the Mediterranean the Mediterranean world world

Hindu revival.Hindu revival.

Huns invade – 450 CEHuns invade – 450 CE

Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta IndiaIndia

Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta IndiaIndia Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the

Silk Road and visited India in the 5c. Silk Road and visited India in the 5c.

He was following the pathHe was following the path of the Buddha. of the Buddha.

He reported the people to He reported the people to be happy, relatively free of be happy, relatively free of government oppression, and government oppression, and inclined towards courtesy and inclined towards courtesy and charity. Other references in charity. Other references in the journal, however, indicate the journal, however, indicate that the caste system was that the caste system was rapidly assuming its basic features, including rapidly assuming its basic features, including "untouchability," the social isolation of a "untouchability," the social isolation of a lowestlowest class that is doomed to menial labor. class that is doomed to menial labor.

Trade Routes during Trade Routes during the Guptasthe Guptas

Trade Routes during Trade Routes during the Guptasthe Guptas

Extensive Trade: 4cExtensive Trade: 4c Extensive Trade: 4cExtensive Trade: 4c

spices

spices

spicesspices

gold & gold &

ivoryivory

gold & gold & ivoryivory

rice & rice & wheatwheathorseshorses

cotton goods

cotton goods

cotton goods

cotton goodssilkssilks

KalidasaKalidasaKalidasaKalidasa

The greatest of Indian poets.The greatest of Indian poets.

His most famous play was His most famous play was ShakuntalaShakuntala..

During the reign of Chandra Gupta During the reign of Chandra Gupta II. II.

GuptGuptaa

ArtArt

GuptGuptaa

ArtArt

Greatly influenced Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & Southeast Asian art &

architecture.architecture.

MedicineMedicineMedicineMedicine LiteratureLiteratureLiteratureLiterature

MathematicsMathematicsMathematicsMathematicsAstronomyAstronomyAstronomyAstronomy

PrintedPrintedmedicinal medicinal

guidesguides

1000 1000 diseasesdiseasesclassifiedclassified

PlasticPlasticSurgerySurgery

C-sectionsC-sectionsperformeperforme

dd

InoculatioInoculationsns

500 healing500 healingplants plants

identifiedidentified

DecimalDecimalSystemSystem

ConceptConceptof Zeroof Zero

PI = 3.1416PI = 3.1416

KalidasKalidasaa

SolarSolarCalendarCalendar

The The earthearth

is roundis round

GuptaGuptaIndiaIndia

Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

ntnt

Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

ntnt

Gupta DeclineGupta Decline

• Unlike Asoka and the Mauryan,the Gupta left local Unlike Asoka and the Mauryan,the Gupta left local government, administration, and policy in the hands of government, administration, and policy in the hands of their allies.their allies.

• When nomadic invaders came in during the fifth When nomadic invaders came in during the fifth century, it split easily along administrative regions.century, it split easily along administrative regions.

• Gupta administrative talents were not a match for the Gupta administrative talents were not a match for the White Huns, a nomadic people of Central Asia who White Huns, a nomadic people of Central Asia who occupied Bactria and eventually moved south across occupied Bactria and eventually moved south across the Hindu Kush.the Hindu Kush.

• Imperial government survived only a short time in Imperial government survived only a short time in India. India would be overtaken by Muslim groups in India. India would be overtaken by Muslim groups in the 7th century but not until the establishment of the the 7th century but not until the establishment of the Mughal Dynasty in the 16 century did any state rule as Mughal Dynasty in the 16 century did any state rule as much of India as the Mauryan or the Gupta.much of India as the Mauryan or the Gupta.

The Cholan “Empire”The Cholan “Empire”

300 B.C.E.- 1279 C.E.300 B.C.E.- 1279 C.E.

Cholan “Empire”Cholan “Empire”300 BCE-1279 CE300 BCE-1279 CEAlso known as the Tamil NaduAlso known as the Tamil Nadu

Ceylon and south eastern Ceylon and south eastern coastcoast

Mentioned in the pillars of Mentioned in the pillars of AshokaAshoka

medieval Cholas under medieval Cholas under Vijayalaya (c. 848), the Vijayalaya (c. 848), the dynasty of Vijayalaya, and dynasty of Vijayalaya, and finally the Later Chola dynasty finally the Later Chola dynasty of Kulothunga Chola I from the of Kulothunga Chola I from the third quarter of the 11th third quarter of the 11th centurycentury

Cholan DynastyCholan Dynasty

Mostly known for later Hindu Mostly known for later Hindu TemplesTemples

Trade network and cultural Trade network and cultural diffusion with Southeast Asiadiffusion with Southeast Asia

Longest lasting “classical” Longest lasting “classical” societysociety

Major Rise in the Middle Ages- Major Rise in the Middle Ages- c. 1000 CEc. 1000 CE