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.