Maurya Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE began ruling

the northern plain of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta’s grandson Ashoka helped advance

the empire. Ashoka began as violent ruler then converted to

Buddhism He renounced violence and worked to spread

Buddhism throughout Asia Highlights of Mauryan Dynasty

Spread of BuddhismRoads Built (Importance?)Large administration for ruling (tax collection)Religious Tolerance

Gupta Empire 320 AD Chandragupta I Increased trade with China and other Asian

countries Art, Literature and Mathematics became central to

the Gupta empire. Golden Age– Advancements

○ Astronomy○ Decimal system○ The concept of 0○ Measured the earth○ Arabic numerals replaced Roman numerals

Gupta

A Thousand Years of Unrest For a long period after the decline of the

Gupta, India lacked organization.

Waves of Huns swept through the region

Indian culture remained strong nevertheless

Muslim Invaders In the mid-600s AD waves of Mongols, Afghans,

Turks and Persians invaded India. Some came and went, others set up kingdoms Muslim Capital established in Delhi in 1200. Sultans (the new Muslim rulers) forced non-

Muslims to pay special taxes called Jizya Built colleges, hospitals, dams and reservoirs as

well as 200 new towns.

Muslim Culture

Muslim culture never absorbed (monotheism v polytheism)

Very different cultures Results

○ Muslims destroyed Hindu temples○ Required believers to follow the Koran○ Cattle was a source of food for Muslims○ Many Hindus converted in the North but not in

south

Mughal Empire Babur 1526 helped unite the India and

brought the two cultures together. Grandson Akbar promoted religious

tolerance. He appointed Hindus to government jobs Married a Hindu princess Abolished the Jizya (non-Muslim tax) Blended art and architecture of Hindu and

Islam Became very wealthy empire

Mughal

Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan 1628 until 1658 Mughal Empire Ruler

Had the Taj Mahal built

Europeans Arrive

Portuguese established trading posts Missionaries converted Indians to

Christianity Soon the Dutch and English began

trading with the Indians English wanted to keep trade peaceful

and simple

Letter from Mughal to England Upon which assurance of your royal love I have given my

general command to all the kingdoms and ports of my dominions to receive all the merchants of the English nation as the subjects of my friend; that in what place soever they choose to live, they may have free liberty without any restraint; and at what port soever they shall arrive, that neither Portugal nor any other shall dare to molest their quiet; and in what city soever they shall have residence, I have commanded all my governors and captains to give them freedom answerable to their own desires; to sell, buy, and to transport into their country at their pleasure. For confirmation of our love and friendship, I desire your Majesty to command your merchants to bring in their ships of all sorts of rarities and rich goods fit for my palace; and that you be pleased to send me your royal letters by every opportunity, that I may rejoice in your health and prosperous affairs; that our friendship may be interchanged and eternal.

1600 East India Company Built several trading posts in India Gold and silver was traded for cotton, silk, tea and

spices The Mughal rulers did not like the Europeans at

first. Britain and France took advantage of the decline

of the Mughal empire and began fighting for control of the fragmented kingdoms throughout India

Britain won out and gained complete control of IndiaRobert Clive (member of the East India Company)

○ Victories as a military leader

East India Company Rule British encouraged the internal fighting and used it

to keep control. (No Unity)

Eventually the company got the rights to collect taxes and rule by establish local governments and rewriting laws that helped establish their rule.

Often established relations with local rulers to maintain controlWarren Hastings: India’s 1st Governor-GeneralLord Wellesley: 5th Governor-General

○ Both men increased control of India by Britain

Early Rebellions Angered at:

○ Britain’s taxes ○ Efforts to convert to Christianity○ British outlaw of Hindu practices

The Sepoy Rebellion (1857)○ Sepoys --Indian troops who were a part of the British

army, were upset about their rifles being greased with beef and pork fat. (Sacred)

○ Also new law required Sepoys to fight for Britain in foreign lands (leaving was against religion)

Left a lasting distrust between India and British

1858 India Becomes Official Colony

1878 Queen Victoria became Empress of India.

India ruled through appointed officials

British took control of the courts

British Rule Built Infrastructure (Roads, telegraph systems,

railroads, ports, etc.) to help them rule the empire Economy changed from a manufacturing to a cash

crop (beneficial to the colonizing country) tea, cotton, pepper and coffee

Improved healthcare and sanitation increased population

Built schools and colleges ○ English helped unify India○ Taught political ideas of liberty and democracy

British Infrastructure

Nationalism

Indian National Congress (INC)Called for gradual change at first then began

more fierce struggle after WWIMohandas Gandhi took leadership of (INC) Britain began turning over a bit of controlGandhi promoted peaceful revolutionPeaceful gathering 379 Indians killed at

peaceful gathering in Amritsar Massacre

Gandhi’s Principles Studied law in England Practiced law in South Africa focusing on

nonviolent resistance to end injustice (satyagraha)

Wanted to awaken the world to the wrongdoings of the British

Follower called him Mahatma (great soul) Turn away from western ideas turn toward

traditional Emphasized self-discipline, love for all, non-

violence, civil justice

Do Now

How did Gandhi’s education influence his “agenda”

Traditional Ways

Strikes, protests, boycotts Campaign of civil disobedience 1920s

The Salt March 1930Protested tax on saltWent on 200 mile march to make salt from

seawater50000 arrested for breaking law (only

allowed to buy taxed salt)

Salt March

WWII

Indians refused to support war unless granted independence

Britain refused “Quit India”= Non-Cooperation and Civil

disobedience toward the British Arrests for more than 20000 Indians

Nationalism Wins Out

Nationalisms strength in India coupled with the fact that most British no longer agreed with the colonization of territory, Britain moved India towards independence

Britain was also weakened by their participation in the war.

Muslim-Hindu Conflict

To prevent a civil war in India, Britain formed two nations, Pakistan and India, and passed the independence act giving India their independence

Fighting exploded between the Muslims and Hindus. ½ million people died.

Hindus migrated into India and Muslims into Pakistan (15 million)

Eventually East Pakistan becomes Bangladesh in 1971

Gandhi’s Reaction

Gandhi refused to celebrate the independence because of the violence

He help prayer meetings, reading from the Koran, the Bible and the Bhagavad-Gita

A Hindu extremist was upset by Gandhi’s reaction attended a prayer meeting, bowed at Gandhi’s feet, rose and shot Gandhi.

The New India A constitution was written

○ Democratic Republic○ Equality, justice, and liberty

Federal government with a central government and 25 state and 7 territory governments.

President appoints state governors Parliament is elected and leading party appoints a

prime minister. The real head of the government. (president is a figure head)

2 Houses (bicameral legislature)Council of State– Elected by the legislatureHouse of the People– People elect the members

All citizens over 18 have the right to vote

Issues Government trying to prevent untouchables– Upper casts

upset○ Law forbidding ○ Providing government jobs

Cultural groups trying to gain independence– Separatist violence

Sikh separatism– Punjab (state) majority. No such luck Muslim-Hindu conflict continues (100 million Muslims still

inhabit india. Kashmir Conflict Nuclear Conflict Religious Conflicts

Economy and Industry

Mixed Economy Transition from cash crop to industry Farming has been improved

○ Building of wells, canals and dams○ Success– Flood prevention and food output○ Green Revolution– New seeds and farming

methods to improve output

Land reform- Take from large land and sell to small farmers

Life in India Villages

General ○ ½ with electricity○ Few have running

water○ Oxen pulled plows○ Becoming advanced

slowly ○ Improving healthcare

Education○ At independence only

10% literacy○ ½ children attended

school○ Now = 61% literacy

rateFamily

○ 95% all marriages are arranged

○ Move toward nuclear family

○ Women subordinate

Education and Literacy

Inequality

Boys receive better healthcare, education and even diets

Untouchables still struggle yet some progress has been made