Ancient India and the Rise of Buddhism, 2600

BCE - 100 CEChapter 3

Key Concept Questions1.3 - What were the key cultural and social aspects of Indus Valley Civilization? 2.1 - What were the core beliefs of the Buddha? 2.2 - How did Ashoka attempt to use Buddhism to strengthen the Mauryan state? 2.3 - What were the features of Indian Ocean trade during the classical period?

Complex Society in the Indus, 2600 - 1700 B.C.E.The earliest civilization in the Indus Valley was the Harappan civilization.

Harappa remains were discovered in the 1920s; reaching a height of 380 acres and a population of 40,000 to 80,000.

The 2nd largest Harappan settlement was Mohenjo-Daro; it provided water for drinking, bathing, & a sewage system for all residents - not just the elite.

Historians have not deciphered the Harappan written language which consisted of 400-450 different signs - some of these signs were found as far away as Mesopotamia indicating a large trade network.

After 1900 B.C.E., the Harappan urban sites seem to get smaller for unknown reasons and the civilization declines.

The Spread of Indo-European Languages Indo-European in a large language family that includes English, French, Latin, Greek, Hittite, and Sanskrit.

The original homeland of the Indo-Europeans is unknown.

Their migrations started years ago and covered most of Europe, Russia, Anatolia, Iran, and North India

Scholars are unsure if the Sanskrit speakers replaced the native Harappans or merged with them.

Sanskrit appears in Northern India around 1500 B.C.E.

The Mauryan Empire (320 - 185 B.C.E.)Buddhism was one of many religions in India until Ashoka converted

after his victory at Kalinga.

Under Ashoka, Buddhism became the most influential religion in India.

He made Buddhism a state religion; this allowed him use it for social and political unity.

Because of trade in Mauryan India, Buddhism spread across Asia.

The Mauryan Empire began with Chandragupta Maurya, grandfather to Ashoka and reigned from 320 - 297 B.C.E. - est. his capital at Pataliputra on the Ganges

MegasthenesIn 302, Greek leader

Seleucus I sent Megasthenes as an ambassador to Mauryan capital at Pataliputra

Megasthenes wrote Indika: describes the Mauryan society as having seven ranks/castes

MegasthenesHe describes Mauryan society as having 7 ranks -

councilors, philosophers, farmers, herdsmen, artisans, soldiers, and spies.

He notes that no one is allowed to marry outside his or her caste.

Megasthenes describes three types of territories: those ruled directly by the Mauryan king, conquered regions with kings, and local republics - the Mauryan Empire was decentralized.

The Origins of Complex Society in South AsiaAshoka ruled from 268 to 232 B.C.E

In 260 B.C.E. Ashoka won a major battle at Kalinga. He was appalled by the violence & decided to embrace Buddhism.

• Ashoka had inscriptions carved on rocks & pillars placed throughout the realm - in line with local dialects and written in a simple style.

• He is one of the best-documented pre-modern S. Asian individuals & this is usually the case with ancient people

• His inscriptions repeatedly invoked the concept of dharma, meaning teachings, law, or custom.

• Ashoka’s dynasty, Mauryan, was one of the few periods in which a large part of South Asia was unified.

AshokaHe was the first indian ruler to embrace Buddhism; he

supported it by following its teachings and making donations but not becoming a monk (Lay Buddhist)

His rule was known as a ceremonial state b/c the ruler does not enforce his rule, but hopes his subjects will accept his rule for his generosity & right living.

His 5 precepts - not to kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or drink alcohol; others followed his example in S. Asia

The Mauryan Empire collapsed after his death.

South Asia’s External TradeIndia was accessible to outside cultures via a land route through the Hindu Kush

mountains (Khyber Pass - modern day Afghanistan)

Sea trade was the most important contact between South Asia and other places

Archeologists trace trade routes by following commodities

Lapis lazuli only found naturally in northern Afghanistan; its presence in Sumer & elsewhere reveals where trade with South Asia reached

Sea trade followed the monsoon winds which blew west in summer and east in the winter

A first century C.E. text, called the Periplus describes the Indian Ocean trade. Written by a Greek merchant from Egypt; it is a guidebook that describes the various ports of the Indian Ocean and beyond - clothing & textiles, semiprecious stones, wine copper, tin, lead, and spices.