Late Indian History

Caste System

Patterns of Indian Civilizations

Two Great Faiths

Hinduism Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reunite atman

(soul) with Brahman Deities Caste system

Buddhism Reincarnation Karma Goal is to reach Nirvana

No Deities Open to all

Caste System “Varnas”

Brahmins Priestly caste: most privileged in rituals Must conform to ritually purer practices

(e.g., strict vegetarianism) Kshatriyas

Warriors and rulers

Caste System “Varnas”

Vaishyas landowning farmers and merchants

Sudras Low status laborers and artisans

Harijans (Dalits) Untouchables

(technically considered so low as to not be a caste) Do the “dirty work”; killing animals, tanning hides,

sweeping and cleaning 20% of current population

Basic Patterns of Indian Civilizations6th century BCE to 6th century CE

Periods of political unity followed by long periods of fragmented disunity

Invaders conquered India, but were then culturally assimilated

To this day, unity in India comes from culture, not politics

Caste system is more important that political parties

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire

321 BCE Chandragupta Maurya forged the largest empire in Indian history

Created a well-organized bureaucracy

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire

Borrowed ideas from Alexander the Great Tax collection Royal courts of law Large army (chariots and elephants) Secret police Postal system

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka

Asoka, 268 BCE Ruthless warrior

After bloody war he turned his back on further conquests.

Converted to Buddhism Rejected violence Resolved to rule by

moral example.

Empires of India: The Mauryan Empire under Asoka

Preached tolerance for other religions

Spread Buddhism throughout Asia Temples Monasteries Monks

Asoka’s Edicts

600 Years of Disorder(2nd century BCE - 4th century CE)

Numerous invasions from Central Asia and Middle East

Buddhism continued to spread Hinduism declined Connected India with China & Rome

Spices, cloth, and luxury items

Empires of India:The Gupta Empire

Chandra Gupta in 320 CE

“Classical” Age of India Arts Literature (Kama Sutra) Philosophy Mathematics (decimals &

0)

Empires of India:The Gupta Empire

Favored Hinduism Emphasized the caste

system Buddhism declined

Empires of India:The Gupta Empire

Huns invade in 535 CE India entered their “Dark Ages”

Rajputs

10th Century CE Warrior kings Many small states Indian rule was

similar to European Feudalism

Greatest temple builders

Islam and India

Early 8th century, first Islamic contact 1001, first massive Muslim invasion 150 years of peace Mohammed of Ghor returned in 1192 and

conquered India by 1202 Muslim rule until 1397 Hinduism thrived despite significant

differences with Islam