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EMPIRES IN INDIA
Unit 2: Classical Era in the East
INDIA- THE CASTE SYSTEM Originated with the Aryans
Conquered the Indus Valley People Strict religious and social order
You are born into your caste for lifeNo social mobilityEach caste has its own moral duty (dharma)Karma (good or bad) determines your caste“Do your dharma, get good karma: don’t do
your dharma, you get bad karma”
Shudras
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Harijans UntouchablesHarijans Untouchables
Brahmins
Shudras
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Pariahs [Harijan] UntouchablesPariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
Brahmins
Brahmins:• Priests
• Highest class• Responsible for
interpreting Hindu texts
Shudras
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Pariahs [Harijan] UntouchablesPariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
Brahmins
Kshatriyas:• Warriors
• Military conquests• Maintain law and
order
Shudras
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Pariahs [Harijan] UntouchablesPariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
Brahmins
Vaishyas:• Landowners, merchants &
herders• Could be men of
wealth
Shudras
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Pariahs [Harijan] UntouchablesPariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
Brahmins
Shudras:• Servants & peasants
• Waited on others
Shudras
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Pariahs [Harijan] UntouchablesPariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
Brahmins
The Untouchables:• Outside the caste system
• Given the worst jobsEx: street sweeping, leather working, and handling dead bodies
HINDUISM
Originated 5,000 years ago
No single founder or formal church
Sacred texts:Vedas- a book of
wisdom or knowledge Hindu priests needed to carry out their functions.
Upanishads- texts which form the basis for the Hindu religion.
MAJOR BELIEFS OF HINDUISM Gods:
Hindus believe that there are many gods and goddesses that are all part of one supreme being (polytheistic).
THREE MAIN GODS IN HINDUISM
Vishnu: the preserver of all existence
Siva: the destroyer of the universe (so it can be reborn again)
Brahma: the creator of the
universe. Indestructible,
supreme ruler, source
of all knowledge
:
Reincarnation:Hindus believe that at death, a person’s
soul is reborn as another living thing. This can be an endless cycle.
Karma:Refers to a person’s behavior in life, which
Hindus believe determines that person’s form in the next life.
Sacred Objects:The Ganges River (can wash away sin) and
the Cow (Hindus do not eat beef).
BUDDHISM
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Enlightened One or the Buddha)
Born 560 BC in Nepal to a wealthy/noble family.
Concerned with the suffering he witnessed in the world.
Began fasting and meditating until he reached “Enlightenment”.
MAJOR BELIEFS OF BUDDHISM:Basic Philosophy:
Buddhism is based on a philosophy of self-denial and meditation.
Gods and Holy Book:Buddhists do not believe in a god or deity, not do they have specific “holy” books. The basic beliefs of Buddhism can be found in books called Sudras.
Four Noble Truths:The truth’s that explain the meaning of life.1. suffering is universal2. the cause of suffering is desire3. the way to end suffering is to crush desire4. the way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path:a guide to right conduct in everything
1. Have the right goal2. Have the right perspective3. Be aware4. Act in a right manner5. Speak truthfully6. Live righteously7. Respect all living things8. Meditate
Nirvana:By following the Eightfold Path an individual can escape endless reincarnation and achieve Nirvana- a state of eternal peace and bliss.
Buddhism will spread throughout southeast Asia through the work of missionaries and monks.
BUDDHISM AND HINDUISM
Similarities Differences
Non-violence Reincarnation Self-denial
Buddhism rejects the Caste System.
Buddhism rejects the existence of any gods.
Buddhism doesn’t stress the need for priests.
TWO TYPES OF BUDDHISM
Hinayana Older version of
Buddhism Believed
enlightenment was limited to a select few
Would dominate southern India, Sri Lanka, and parts of SE Asia
Mahayana Offered salvation/
enlightenment for all
Most familiar form of Buddhism
Would spread to: Central Asia China Korean Peninsula Japan Vietnam
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA 305 BC
Raised a vast army 600,000 foot soldiers 30,000 calvalry
Defeats Seleucus I and takes a large area including the Indus Valley
Unites north India politically for the first time
ASOKA Changragupta’s grandson 269 BC- waged war and expanded empire Converts to Buddhism after victory
Felt sorrow for all of the death Rejects violence and ruled by a moral
example “philosopher” king
Set up pillars announcing laws and promised a righteous government
Rule brought peace, prosperity, and united diverse people
THE GUPTA EMPIRE 320 A.D. founded by Chandra Gupta Less centralized government with an
empire divided into units and ruled locally.
“Golden Age” of Hindu culture under Chandra Gupta II
Patriarchal society- Laws of Manu and Sati
Advancements made in: art, literature (sanskrit writing), math (zero, infinity, decimals), medicine, and astronomy (the earth is round)
Invaded by the Huns- empire will break up.
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