SOUTH ASIA

SOUTH ASIA

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

3300 to 1300 BCE

Civilization in India began with the Harappa culture developed by the Dravidians.

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

3300 to 1300 BCE

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

3300 to 1300 BCE

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

3300 to 1300 BCE

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

SUMMARY Indus River Valley Civilization (3300 to 1300 BCE) Political A priest-king is believed to have ruled alongside a bureaucracy Economic Agriculture economy based on wheat, rice, peas, dates and mustard Socio-cultural Activities included fashioning articles made of pottery, bronze, copper, as well as weaving cotton

There has been Cotton for worship of the clothing deity Shiva Trade with the Persian Gulf region and Mesopotamia

THE VEDIC AGE

1500 to 500 BCE This period began with the entrance of the semi-nomadic Aryans into the Indus River Valley.

Many historians consider this invasion to be a myth; this Aryan/Dravidian divide has caused racial discrimination in India.
The entrance of the Aryans may have led to the decline of the Harappan culture.

THE VEDIC AGE

1500 to 500 BCE

THE VEDIC AGE

1500 to 500 BCE 1. The Aryans were divided into three social classes: the warriors and rulers, the priests, and the common people. 2. They introduced sanskrit, the language in which the Vedas are written. Also, the Aryans placed great importance on rituals and animism. These two factors led to the rise of the Brahmin.

3. Between 1000 and 450 BCE, the Aryans expanded further south and east. It was during this period of transition where Brahmanism hardened into the caste system.

THE VEDIC AGE

SUMMARY The Vedic Age (1500 to 500 BCE) Political The Aryans had a strict social hierarchy that eventually developed into the Hindu caste system Economic The seminomadic Aryans settled down and strengthened metallurgy, pottery, weaving, and commercial trading Socio-cultural The Veda were writen down, further intensifying the caste system in India

THE AXIAL AGE IN INDIA

As Brahmanism strengthened however, there were several reactions to it, especially against the discrimination in the caste system.
599 527 BCE: Vardhamana, later known as Mahavira

(Great

Hero)
He spoke of spiritual independence, equality of all life, selfcontrol and ahimsa (non-violence). This would later become Jainism.

563 483 BCE: Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Buddha

(The Enlightened One)

He spoke of enlightenment, nirvana and practical compassion. This would later become Buddhism.

THE AXIAL AGE IN INDIA

BUDDHISM 4 Noble Truths
1. All life is suffering. 2. Expectation from desire is the root of suffering. 3. Desire must be renounced. 4. Renunciation can be achieved by following the 8-fold path.

3 Dharma Seals
1. Dukkha we can never be satisfied 2. Annica the world is in flux 3. Annata there is no soul or self

AN OVERVIEW OF EMPIRES 1. MAURYA: The first empire to successfully unite most of

the subcontinent is the Maurya which ruled from 320 to 184 BCE.

2. GUPTA: The second empire to unite the subcontinent is

the Gupta (240 to 550) which many consider the Classical Age of Hindu and Buddhist Arts and Literature or Golden Age of Hinduism.

3. MUGHAL: The third empire to unite the subcontinent is

the Mughal (1526 to 1707) which is the height of Islamic influence in India, and the empire to come in direct contact with the European imperialists.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

The approximate extent of the Magadha state in the 5th century BCE.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

The Nanda Empire at its greatest extent under Dhana Nanda circa 323 BCE.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

The Maurya Empire when it was first founded by Chandragupta Maurya circa 320 BCE, after conquering the Nanda Empire when he was only about 20 years old.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

Chandragupta extended the borders of the Maurya Empire towards Seleucid Persia after defeating Seleucus circa 305 BCE.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

Chandragupta extended the borders of the empire southward into the Deccan Plateau circa 300 BC.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

Ashoka the Great

extended into Kalinga during the Kalinga War circa 265 BCE, and established superiority over the southern kingdoms.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

Chandragupta Maurya was schooled by Kautilya (also Chanakya)

who wrote the Arthashastra.

In the happiness of his subjects lies the king's happiness, in their welfare his welfare. He shall not consider as good only that which pleases him but treat as beneficial to him whatever pleases his subjects.
Kautilya also favors an autocratic welfare state, and believes that no kingdom can survive without a good and efficient economy.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

320 to 184 BCE

The Arthashastra also describes the Rajarishi (wise and virtuous king) as:
1. Has self-control, having conquered the inimical temptations of the senses; 2. Cultivates the intellect by association with elders; 3. Keeps his eyes open through spies; 4. Is ever active in promoting the security & welfare of the people; 5. Ensures the observance (by the people) of their dharma by authority & example; 6. Improves his own discipline by (continuing his) learning in all branches of knowledge; and 7. Endears himself to his people by enriching them & doing good to them.

THE MAURYA EMPIRE

SUMMARY The Maurya Empire (320 to 184 BCE) Political Centralized system of government (CH)
Utilized spies and powerful armies (CH)

Economic State revenue was composed of 25 to 50% of produce (CH)

Enhanced trade between and among regions (CH, AS)

Socio-cultural Buddhism flourished under the reign of Ashoka

Divided land into provinces and established roads (CH)

THE GUPTA EMPIRE

240 to 550

The Gupta empire is often credited for being the

Classical Age
or the Golden Age of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Hinduism received royal patronage.

THE GUPTA EMPIRE

240 to 550

THE GUPTA EMPIRE

240 to 550

THE GUPTA EMPIRE

240 to 550

THE GUPTA EMPIRE

240 to 550

THE GUPTA EMPIRE

240 to 550

THE GUPTA EMPIRE

240 to 550

ISLAM ARRIVES IN INDIA

A clash of civilizations? HINDUISM
Brahman is the supreme being with many manifestations

ISLAM
There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is His prophet

Fundamental beliefs Complete freedom of belief Strictly monotheistic;

Society and culture

Bhakti (devotion) can be personal Deities are rendered through idols

Worship is congregational God has no face; no idols or images

Duties and social status are Social status is defined by ascribed by caste birth; duties are in the 5 pillars; egalitarian
Government Brahmin and Kshatriya are separate The state is theocratic (ruled by God)

ISLAM ARRIVES IN INDIA

712 850: Muslim raiders from Persia are stopped by the Rajputs 997 1030: Mahmud

of

Ghazni raided India and

destroyed and looted temples

1210 1526: The Delhi Sultanate and its various dynasties implemented a monetary system, and required non-Muslims to pay jizyah

THE MUGHAL DYNASTY

1526 to 1707

Founded by Babur in 1526 by defeating his rival, Ibrahim Lodi.

Akbar the Great is known for the

mansabdari (salary) system, and religious tolerance. He has one of the longest reigns in history (1543 - 1605).

THE MUGHAL DYNASTY

1526 to 1707

THE MUGHAL DYNASTY

1526 to 1707

SIKHISM
Founded by Guru Nanak in the late 15th century, this began as a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam but evolved into something completely unique. 1. Believes in the unity of an indescribable and allpowerful God 2. Rejects idols or images; worship is either personal or congregational 3. They were egalitarian and opposed the caste system 4. Believed in karma and samsara.

THE MUGHAL DYNASTY

1526 to 1707

Completed in 1648, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

EXPLORE: http://www.taj-mahal.net

THE MUGHAL DYNASTY Aurangzebs reign

begins the decline of Mughal India. He was an orthodox Muslim who reinstituted the jizyah and attempted to conquer the Deccan.

THE MUGHAL DYNASTY

SUMMARY The Mughal Empire (1526 1707) Political
Granted Hindus administrative positions (zamindars)

Economic
Abolished special taxes on Hindus (up until Aurangzeb)

Socio-cultural
Religious tolerance: weekly interreligious debate, allowed Hindus to judge according to their own laws Multiculturalism

Mansabdari system (salary)

Divided the land into provinces and districts

Cosmopolitanism: the Mughals enhanced and beautified cities

Produced agricultural surpluses and sustained wealth (although this led to corruption)