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Classical India and Hinduism

Explain developmentand central beliefs of Hinduism

Illustrate central beliefson a Mandala

Describe characteristics of classical Indian empires11/2As the Indus River Valley civilizations declined, new civilizations formed along the Ganges River

Indus R.GangesRiver

Aryans, an Indo-European people, had migratedinto India blending Aryan beliefs with the beliefs of the Indians (Dravidians).

These Aryan beliefs were hymns. They were later written down and called the Vedas. They became the foundation ofHinduism.

Aryan MigrationThe Aryans sought to separate themselves from the darker skinned Indians (Dravidians). A structured society developed known as the Caste System.The Caste System

The Caste system was rigid.

It influenced all social interactions including marriage arrangements and occupations.

Social classes were divided by occupation.

Aryan VarnasDravidiansThe Caste system was rooted in Hinduism. Each Varna represents a body part of the god, Purusha, from the Vedas and each Varna represents occupations in society.

Brahmin KshatriyaVaisyaSudra

Can you identify which Varna is which?

Hinduism8Indias religion developed from the blended beliefs of the Aryans and Dravidians.

No founder

Belief in many forms of one god, Brahma, theCreator.

Brahma

Vishnu the Preserver

Shiva the DestroyerHinduism: Monotheistic or Polytheistic?

Talk to your neighborIndraHinduism is way of life in India.

Hindus rise early and bathe in the sacred Ganges River

Hindus burn incense and offer prayer

Hindus practice Yoga.

Yoga is about meditationand mind control over body.

Spiritual Discipline

Can you do this?

The popularity of yoga in the west is an example of .Cultural DiffusionCentral Beliefs of Hinduism

Belief in many forms of one god

Reincarnation: Rebirth based upon karma

Karma = deeds. Knowledge that all thoughts and actions result in future consequences.

Vedas and Upanishads are sacred writings

Spread along major trade routes

Reincarnation means Rebirth. An individual spirit (ATMAN) is born again and again until Moksha is achieved.

The cycle of reincarnation is called Samsara.

A state of perfect understanding of all things and release from life in this world.Moksha

Karma is the sum of your good deeds throughout your life. Good Karma results in reincarnation to a higher Varna in the Caste system until Moksha is achieved.

Dharma is the religious law or moral duty to follow Hinduscriptures.

Two sacred texts are important to Hindus:The Vedas are sacred hymns.

Interpretations of the VedasJainism also developed at this time in India. Jains believe that everything in the universe has a soul and should not be harmed. They practice non-violence even to insects.

Objectives

Describe characteristicsof empires of Indiaduring the Classical period

Sequence key eventsduring Mauryan and Guptan Empires

11/3 & 11/4

Indias political history during the classical period could be characterized as fragmented with intermittent empires. Around 600 BCE, the first empire united many small kingdoms. It was called the MauryanEmpire.

The classical empires were centered on the Ganges river.Ganges RiverThe Mauryan Empire, led by Chandragupta Maurya,spanned more than 2,000 miles. Chandragupta Maurya built his empire by conquest.

He had an army of 600,000 and defeated Alexander the Greats successor, Seleucus, near the Indus River valley in 303 BCE.

Under Chandragupta Maurya:

His advisor, Kautilya wrote the Arthasastra, about how to keep a vast empire together

Written in Sanskrit, one of the earliest written Indian languages, the book urged rulers to conquer neighboring kingdoms that are weak and maintain an army of spies.

In 301 BCE, Chandraguptas grandson, Asoka assumed the throne. Under Asoka:

Continued warfare against neighbors and during the battle of Kalinga, lost 100,000 soldiers.

Kalinga served as a defining moment for Asoka Deeply affected by the lossof life and suffering, he began to study Buddhism.

Asoka:

Spread Buddhist teachings by constructing huge pillars inscribed with Buddhist teachings throughouthis empire. They were called Asokas Edicts.

These pillars urged non-violence and acceptance of other religions

Asoka improved roads, created public wells, planted trees for shade and built rest stops throughout his kingdom.

Asoka appointed missionaries who spread Buddhism throughout India and to China and other parts of Asia.

After Asoka died in 232 BCE, the Mauryan empire fell apart.

A period of disunity and regional kingdoms followed Asokas death and lasted for500 years. Then, in 320 CE, Chandra Gupta united India into its second empire,the Gupta Empire.

Which empire was larger, geographically? Mauryan or Guptan?The Gupta empire brought about the flowering of Indian and Hindu culture and advancements in math and science.

Cultural achievements: Literature flourished: Kalidasa wrote Shakuntala, a classic love story

Drama and dancing became important elements of Indian culture

Scientific Achievements:

Indian astronomers proved that the earth was round by observing a lunar eclipse

Advanced mathematics: Indian numerals are the numbers we use today but the Arabic civilizations would get the credit.

the number Zero and the decimal system

Scientific achievements continuedIndian mathmetician Aryabhata calculated the value of pi.

Aryabhata also calculated the length of the solar year very accurately

Continued advancements in medicine and surgery-compiled medical texts

Commercial AchievementsIndian Merchants were the middlemen in the emerging Silk Road trade. Traders also brought goods such as spices, diamonds,sapphires, gold, pearls, sandalwood, ebony andteakwood.

Traders also spread religion eastward. Hinduism spread only as far as Nepal, Sri Lanka and parts of Indonesia, while Buddhism later spread throughout China andSoutheast Asia.

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