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Post-Classical India

Post-Classical India. Political History. Modern Indian states. Political History. I. Post-Classical A. Kingdom of Harsha (606-648) 1. occupied northern India a. Magadha, Kashmir, Sind, and Gujarat 2. Devout Buddhist, but

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Post-Classical India

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  1. Post-Classical India

  2. Political History Modern Indian states

  3. Political History I. Post-Classical A. Kingdom of Harsha (606-648) 1. occupied northern India a. Magadha, Kashmir, Sind, and Gujarat 2. Devout Buddhist, but tolerant of other faiths. 3. Forged alliances with local rulers. 4. After his death, the empire returned to decentralization. Kingdom of Harsha

  4. Political History II. Regional Kingdoms A. Kingdoms in North & South 1. Region not unified 2. small regional kingdoms were standard B. Large Kingdoms (Delhi Sultanate, Chola, & Vijayanagar) Decentralised • 1. no centralized bureaucracy • 2. lots of regional autonomy for states

  5. Foreign & Maritime Trade Lateen Sails • Trade extended from Africa to Melaka (Malaysia) & China • Indian port cities (Cambay, Calicut) become major marketplaces (emporia) • Dhow (India) & Junk (China) primary vessels • religion, culture diffused across Indian Ocean • replaces Silk Road as major trade conduit Chinese junk

  6. Monsoons • Monsoons -- Seasonal rains followed by drought • necessitated irrigation programs -- esp. in South • North had established irrigation dating to Harappan • Monsoon currents & winds dictated maritime trade • Merchants traveled to minimise time in port cities • Indian cities become hub of Asian Maritime trade -- esp.. Cambay • Cities developed foreign quarters for merchants (ex. Chinatown in SF)

  7. Agriculture & Demographic Changes South India • few rivers, undeveloped hydro-technology • dams, reservoirs, canals •  costs  agricultural output •  food  population •  population  urbanization • Formation of guilds necessitate restructuring of the caste system

  8. Internal Trade & Temple life • expansion of internal trade • regional specialisation • goods made in one region traded in other parts of India •  $$$ from trade & agriculture   $$$ devoted to religion & temple construction •  power of temples (social, economic & political) • size of land & #people working temple lands • similar to Medieval monasteries in Europe Brihadeswarar temple

  9. Specialization & Caste •  urbanisation  specialization •  new occupations for artisans, merchants, peasants  guilds • Problem  caste not equipped to handle diverse occupations • develope sub-caste (jatis) w/in the varna • new occupations = jatis • jatis organised hierarchically w/in varna • non-Hindu in occupations absorbed into jatis • strengthened caste in S. India Caste withjatis

  10. Production & Trade • Monsoons regimented maritime trade • affected weather patterns in South • Irrigation & impact of agricultural goods • restructuring of caste •  internal trade & influence of Temples •  foreign maritime trade • ChinaMelaka  India  Africa & E. Asia Dhow in modern India

  11. Diffusion of Belief Systems Islam & the Sind • Umayyad Arabs extend empire to Sind (modern Pakistan & Afghanistan) • later under Abbasid control • largely self-governing tribute state • Rapid spread of Islam into region • merchants & Sufi mystics • some conflict between Hindu & Muslims Sufi Kwajad Khidr traveling to bring the words of the Prophet to India

  12. Social I. The Spread of Islam A. military force 1. Arab conquest of Sind-711 2. impact of conquest B. merchants to region - gradual 1. north more than south a. why? 2. impacted society & caste a. how?

  13. Social C. migrations of 10th century 1. Turkish speaking peoples from Central Asia 2. Mahmud of Ghazni a. nature of invasion b. impact on Buddhism c. degree of success http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/wps/media/objects/2426/2484749/chap_assets/flash/ch7/index.html

  14. The Diffusion of Religion

  15. Mahmud & the Ghazni Turks • Ghazni Turks invade India (1001-27) from Caspian Sea • led by Mahmud • come to plunder temples & palaces • devout Muslims • intolerant to other religions • destroyed Buddhist & Hindu temple • not popular • later develops into Delhi Sultanate Mahmud receives gift of a robe from the Abbasid caliph

  16. Merchants & Islam • Merchants bring Islam to coastal India • influential in Gujurat & coastal cities like Cambay • Turkish migrations & invasions bring Islam • Anatolia, Caspian & Aral Sea Persian merchants dining (Ajanta Caves)

  17. Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 C.E. ) • Period of greatest Muslim expansion in India • use of jizya spurred conversion by many Hindu & Buddhists to Islam • Controlled N. India • little central authority • no perm. bureaucracy • relied on regional Hindu kings to keep power in north • heavy resistance from C. India • many Sultans fell to assassins

  18. Southern India -- Hindu thru & thru • Chola Kingdom-most prominent (850-1267C.E.) • expanded into Sri Lanka & SE Asia (Burma, Thailand, Cambodia) • De-centralised w/regional autonomy • local rulers expected to collect taxes & maintain order • Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565 C.E.) • brothers converted from Islam to Hinduism • De-centralised rule • religious tolerance Shiva Mural from Vijayanagar Temple

  19. Hindu & Islamic Interaction • Southern India (Chola) most dynamic • spread of major movements from South  North • Temple life & influence greater • major religious thinkers • Cult of Vishnu & Shiva • Hindu thought -- Shankara & Ramanunja • Kabir & bhakti - reconciling Islam & Hinduism

  20. Hinduism & Devotional Cults •  importance of Buddhism • Hinduism & Islam replace • devotional cults in Hinduism • promised salvation, esp.. Vishnu & Shiva • Vishnu - preserver • Shiva - fertility & destroyer • Originally in south  moves north • Shankara - Shiva devotee • life is illusion, beyond senses • must rely on logic to understand God • Ramanuja - Vishnu devotee • personal relationship w/God paramount Chola-Cosmic Vishnu with 18 Arms Chola-Dancing Shiva

  21. Islam & the Bhakti Movement • Islam appeals to lowers castes & harijan • Sufi mystics most effective missonaries • allowed elements of old faiths to continue (syncretism) • stressed piety & devotion attractive to devotional Hindu • Bhakti movement  eliminate distinction btw. Islam & Hinduism • Guru Kabir  Vishnu, Shiva, Allah=one, universal deity • Like Sufism, Bhakti movement promoted values to bridge differences Kabir -- Blind Poet, Weaver & Guru of Bhakti movement

  22. Diffusion of Indian Society in SE Asia • Indian influence in SE Asia • Funan & Angkor • Islam in SE Asia • Melaka Angkor Wat (Cambodia) -- Devas Vasuli & Asparas (Indian deities). Shows distinct Indian influence

  23. Portage across Isthmus of Kra to India to India Collected tolls from passing ships India as a model in SE Asia • Indian merchants common in SE Asia since 4th century B.C.E. • Local rulers adopt Indian political & cultural traditions • Indian model of kingship • sponsor Hinduism, later Buddhism • eschewed caste system • Funan (c. 2nd-6th century) • used Sanskrit & adopted Hinduism • Srivijaya (c. 670-1025 C.E.) • powerful navy - used to collect taxes from passing ships

  24. Angkor (889-1431 C.E.) • Largest kingdom in SE Asia • capital Angkor Thom • Embraced Buddhism • still retained ancient deities • Built temples incorporating Hindu & Buddhist elements (Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat) • Khmer abandon Angkor after Thai invasions in 15th century Angkor Thom -- Temple entrance

  25. Temple of Vishnu at Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

  26. Islam in SE Asia (13th-16th century) • Muslim merchants from India most common transmitters • some from Persia & Arabia • Sufi missionaries • Local converts often Hinduism, Buddhism &/or kept local deities • Melaka-once pirate state, forms powerful legitimate state. • ruling elite converts to & sponsors expansion of Islam • control of seaways eases expansion of Islam to Sumatra, Java & north to the Philippines Putrajaya Mosque - Melaka (Malaysia)

  27. Summary of Postclassical India • Major Trade & Cultural centre for Asia • connects Africa & W. Asia w/China • Regional Kingdoms  De-centralised • N. IndiaMuslim rule & Influence • S. IndiaHindu rule & Influence • spreads to North syncretism (bhakti movement) • Diffusion of Indian culture & politics to SE Asia • Funan & Angkor Syncretic fusion of local & Indian religions • SE Asia control trade btw. China & India • Melaka controlled trade, charged tolls • Conversion to Islam sponsored expansion

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