© 2011 Maharaj Mukherjee A Comprehensive History of India Lecture – 4 November 20, 2011 War and Peace Maharaj Mukherjee

© 2011 Maharaj Mukherjee

A Comprehensive History of IndiaA Comprehensive History of IndiaLecture – 4Lecture – 4

November 20, 2011November 20, 2011

War and PeaceWar and PeaceMaharaj MukherjeeMaharaj Mukherjee


The Spread of Aryans in IndiaThe Spread of Aryans in India

Aryavarta – Land of Aryans

Dakshinapath – The way of the South

• The Aryans moved along the river Ganges

• Their spread came to Bengal last

• Their spread was limited by Himalyas on the North, Vindhya on the South and Ganges+Bramhaputra on the East


Story of WarsStory of Wars

• Two grand Indian Epics– Ramayana – Mahabharata


The Story of RamayanaThe Story of Ramayana


The Story of RamayanaThe Story of Ramayana


History Lessons from RamayanaHistory Lessons from Ramayana


History Lessons from RamayanaHistory Lessons from Ramayana

• Time of Ramayana about 3000 years back or 1000 BC• Aryans were still concentrated in the Northern India• They have learned building city states

– A state with a city in its capital and other areas surrounding it• They were slowly spreading into Southern India• They are encountering people who had been there

before them– Monkeys – Forest dwelling hunter/gatherers??– Demons – people who can build nice cities

• Ramayana authors had a very good grasp of Indian Geography

• They still did not know writing – Ramayana is written in poetic form for easy memorization


Story of MahabharataStory of Mahabharata


History Lessons from MahabharataHistory Lessons from Mahabharata

• Time of Mahabharata 2700 years back or about 700 BC

• Aryans are now well established all over India• City states are building or aspiring to build

empires• The concept of India as a country is now being

established• The Mahabharata is written in prose form

– Mahabharata is a written text– Writing is now well established


Address of IndiaAddress of India

Uttaram Jat Samudrasya

Himadreschaiba Dakshinam

Barsham Tad Bharatam

Bharati Jatra Santati

The Land that is North of the Oceans and South of the Himalayas – is known as Bharata (India). Its children (inhabitants) are known as Bharati(Ya) – Indians.


History Lessons from MahabharataHistory Lessons from Mahabharata


War and PeaceWar and Peace

• Need for Social Reformation– Excessive Ritualistic Religion– Evils of untouchability


Stories of PeaceStories of Peace

• Jain Religion

• Buddhist Religion


Jain ReligionJain Religion1. Started around 600 BC2. The religion is based on

ethics and moral values than rituals

3. The religion is carried by Tirthankaras – Saviours of Human Soul

4. 24 Tirthankaras – 5. Mahavira is the last

Tirthankara

Mahavira around 500 BC


Jain ReligionJain Religion

Basic Tenets:1. Ahimsa (non-violence) 2. Parasparopagraho jivanam

(interdependence) 3. Anekantavada (the doctrine

of manifold aspects) 4. Samyaktva (equanimity)5. Jiva-daya (compassion,

empathy and charity)

THE JAIN CODE OF CONDUCTThe five vratas (vows):

1. Non-violence in thought, word and deed,

2. To seek and speak the truth, 3. To behave honestly and never

to take anything by force or theft,

4. To practice restraint and chastity in thought, word and deed,

5. To practice non-acquisitiveness.


BuddhismBuddhism


BuddhismBuddhism

Eight Fold Path: Leads to Moksha or relief from rebirth

1. Right View

2. Right Intention

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

• Around 500 BC• Buddha had among his

disciples – King Prasenjit– King Bimbisara– Untouchables: Ananda and

Upali• Strong statement against

– Ritualism– Untouchability

• Buddha did not say anything about God or any superior being

• He preached in the common language of the people such as Pali.


Spread of BuddhismSpread of Buddhism

• Buddha is the most notable Indian

• About 6% of World Population is Buddhist


Time Line Studied So FarTime Line Studied So Far

• Early Inhabitants of India?– Hunter Gatherers – 15000 Years ago

• Earliest Civilization in the World?– Fertile Crescent – 10000 Years ago

• Earliest Civilization in India– Indus Valley Civilization – 5000 - 6000 Years ago

• Arrival of Aryans– 3500 - 4000 Years ago

• Time of Ramayana– 3000 - 3500 Years ago

• Time of Mahabharata– 2700 - 3000 Years ago

• Time of Buddha and Mahavira– 2500 Years ago or about 600 BC


QuizQuiz

• What are the main epics of India– Ramayana and Mahabharata

• Where did the Aryans lived at the time of Ramayana– Mostly in Northern India

• When did the concept of India develop: Ramayana time or Mahabharata time?– Mahabharata time

• What is the style of writing for Mahabharata– Prose style


QuizQuiz

• Name two religions of peace in India– Jainism and Buddhism

• What brought in the religions of peace– Ritualism and Untouchability

• Who was the main leader of Buddhism– Buddha

• Name one leader of Jainism– Mahavira

• How many vows are there in Jainism? Name one.– Five

• How many basic tenets are in Buddhism? Name One– Eight:


Food For ThoughtFood For Thought

• We discussed four leaders of ancient India:– Rama and Krishna

• 1000 – 700 BC

– Buddha and Mahavira• 600 – 500 BC

• They are still the most revered leaders in Indian History – All four are worshipped as gods. – Why did their appearance happened around such a

small time frame of 400 years of each other in the long 10000 years of Indian History?

Documents

© 2011 Maharaj Mukherjee A Comprehensive History of India Lecture – 4 November 20, 2011 War and Peace Maharaj Mukherjee