Describe the major political, religious/philosophical and cultural influences of classical and India.

What exactly does describe mean?

Skills Focus: The Art of note taking with Cornell

Big Picture Stuff -Topics -Subtopics

Details
- Relate to, describes your big picture topic

Ancient India Background Overview Cultural Significance

Lasted1000 years Sometime around 1500 BCE the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were abandoned. The Aryans moved into India

Ancient India Background Overview Cultural Significance

O Great One, make me great. May all beings see me as a friend; May I see all beings as friends; May we all see one another as friends. (Yajur Veda 36.18)

The Rig-Veda, the first Aryan epic, attributed the rise of the Caste System to the gods.

When they divided the original Man, into how many parts did they divide him? What was his mouth, what were his arms, what were his thighs and his feet called? The brahmin was his mouth, of his arms was made the warrior. His thighs became the vaisya, of his feet the sudra was born.

Aryans brought the Vedas (literature) Brought Caste System Foundation for Hinduism Can you recall what Hinduism was all about? See your charts.

Brahmins: Priests
Kshatryaswarriors Vaisyacommoners

Sudras-peasants Untouchablescommoners/merchants

Caste determines job, social position, and ability to achieve unity with the Great World Soul or Brahman.

Make sure your comparison chart includes the following: Dharma: duty Karma: your deeds, good or bad, will come back to you Do your Dharma, get good karma, move up a Varna (caste level)

Political Overview of classical empires

While most of India, most of the time was divided into small regional political units, it was united twice in the classical period

Mauryan
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

In 324 B.C.E. Chandragupta founded the first dynasty that united the Ganges and Indus valleys. This empire lasted for 120 years.

Had provinces like we have states Strong military

As(h)oka (Chandraguptas grandkid) was the greatest ruler of entire Mauryan Dynasty
He was Hindu but he converted to

Buddhism (Remember what that was About?) How do you think that conversion affected his rule?

Started his reign as ruthless, focused on consolidating power Converted to Buddhism outlined a philosophy of non-violence and toleration
Ended hunting and animal sacrifice at the capital
Removed meat from the palace menu Sent missionaries abroad to win over converts

Infrastructure
Dug wells, built rest-stops along highways, planted trees,

etc.

Mauryan
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

Lots of trading by sea & by land

Vast Indian Ocean Trade Complex Also by land Survived after Ashokas death

Mauryan
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

Which empire is bigger?

Mauryan
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

What would we put under this category that we already know?

Gupta
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gyupta Was the Golden Age of India Ruled by alliances (less centralized) more so than Mauryan

Recognize my rule, pay me tribute and we

are good!

Gupta
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

Trading just like before

Gupta
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

Bigger or Smaller?

Gupta
Political Economic Geography Social (Culture, Religion, Technological
Innovations)

Was pretty Buddhist because of what leaders conversion?

Doesnt stay that way for longwhat religion

makes a comeback? How did Buddhism feel about Hinduisms caste system?
What are the implications (results) of such changes to the social structure of India?

Cultural Contributions of Classical India

Sanskrit language Geometry & Algebra Concept of zero, decimal system, number system

http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=YIz9lPdIsm8&featur e=related http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=w2SsHKlhYKo&feat ure=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=DwVZeCLEWrE

 Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana.

 pillars, stupas rock chambers

Review notes and try and construct a Vinn diagram

How did the caste system reinforce social inequality in classical India? How did As(h)okas religious conversion affect his policies?

How could Buddhism threaten Indias Caste

System?

How could Hinduism justify a rulers authority? What about Buddhism? How did Indias religious views shape their literature and architecture?