Early Indian Civilizations

1. Early Indian Civilizations • From Neolithic Origins to 300 CE

2. Agenda • Notes- Early India, Religion & Culture, Mauryan Empire • Discussion- Laws of Manu, Hinduism & Buddhism • Small Group- Networks of Exchange • Quiz 4 (Qin and Han)

3. Introduction Israel Mesopotamia China Egypt Early India

4. Introduction- India

5. Introduction • Indian subcontinent produced three major religious traditions • India retained fundamental social stability despite political upheaval • Functioned as matrix for networks of trade and cultural diffusion

6. Early India • “India”- Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka • Geographic borders- Indian Ocean, Himalayas • River systems- Indus and Ganges Rivers

7. The Indus Civilization • 2500-1500 BCE • Civilization appeared along Indus River • Repeated earlier Mesopotamian pattern (Neolithic farmers- river valley- cities) • Harappa/ Mohenjo-Daro

8. The Indus Civilization • Urban centers had writing system, standard weights • First to domesticate chickens, grow cotton for textiles • Used copper, bronze for tools • Trade established with Mesopotamia 3:45

9. Mohenjo-Daro- Artifact • What inferences can be made about this artifact? • For what purpose was it created?

10. Early Vedic Age • 1900-1000 BCE • Arrival of the Aryans (conquerers, slow infusion) • Put an end to Indus civilization • Conquered, assimilated, or drove native Dravidians to southern India

11. Early Vedic Age • Aryans were... • Indo-Europeans, spoke Sanskrit, used chariots • Pastoral people, counted wealth in cattle • Effective warriors , used horse-drawn chariots

12. Early Vedic Age • Aryan priests- Brahmans (high place in society) • Gods- Indra, Agni, Varuna, Mitra • Varnas (social classes)- Nobles, commoners, non-Aryan conquered people

13. Later Vedic Age • 1000-600 BCE • Aryans had mastered iron metallurgy • Some states were oligarchic republic • Led by Raja (king) • Taxes, building projects common

14. Later Vedic Age • Three pillars of society- village, caste, and family • Formation of the caste system (From Brahman to Untouchable) • Three-generation household led by patriarch (Laws of Manu) :56

15. The Laws of Manu • Read the excerpts from the Laws of Manu. • Discussion- Explain the importance of social classes in early India.

16. Religion and Culture 600-320 BCE • The Upanishads (texts that form the basis of Hinduism) introduced new concepts • Transmigration of the soul • Karma, Dharma, Samsara • Soul seeks union with Brahman

17. Religion and Culture 600-320 BCE • The Jains, defenders of all beings • Jainism, “most Indian” of non-Vedic religions • All beings have souls, jiva • Ahimsa, non-violence, requires respect for all forms of life • Small numbers, very influential

18. Religion and Culture 600-320 BCE • Buddhism- The Middle Way • Gautama Buddha- experienced the “Great Awakening” • Gave “Four Noble Truths” • Suffering dominates experience, caused by desire, ends when nirvana is achieved, path leads to nirvana

19. Religion and Culture 600-320 BCE • “The Noble Eightfold Path” • Accept and act according to the Four Noble Truths • Words and deeds in accordance with the Five Moral Precepts • Importance of meditation

20. Religion and Culture 600-320 BCE 1. Right view or understanding 5. Right livelihood- based on correct action, ideal society 2. Right attitude- acting from love and compassion 6. Right effort- complete or full effort, energy or vitality 3. Right speech- clear, truthful communication 7. Right mindfulness- complete or thorough awareness of yourself, others 4. Right action- non-exploitation of others 8. Right concentration- be fixed, absorbed in or established at one point.

21. Religion and Culture 600-320 BCE • Buddhists revere Buddha’s teachings • Monks- wear yellow or orange robes , live in monastic communities • Monks who reached nirvana known as arhats • Buddhism universal in its approach

22. Hinduism and Buddhism • Discussion- • Explain the similarities. • Explain the differences.

23. The Mauryan Empire • 326-184 BCE • Founded by Chandragupta Mauryan • At peak, ruled most of Indian subcontinent • Enlarged territory after defeating Alexander the Great’s successor

24. The Mauryan Empire

25. The Mauryan Empire • Capital at Patna, large sophisticated city • Most effective government until British rule • Provinces, districts, villages, all under legal code • 700,000-man army

26. The Mauryan Empire • Ashoka- India’s Greatest King (269-232 BCE) • Adopted principle of ahimsa • Enlightened lawgiver, convert to Buddhism • Helped spread Buddhism beyond India

27. The Mauryan Empire • The fall of the empire began immediately after Ashoka’s death (5 centuries of anarchy) • Invaders took advantage- Bactrian Greeks, Kushans • Possibilities- reaction to Buddhism, nonviolence left India vulnerable

28. Emergent Hinduism • 200 BCE- 300 CE • Tolerant religion- cycle of birth, death, and rebirth • Accumulation of good actions aids in the cycle • Beliefs in karma, dharma, and reincarnation gave support to caste system

29. Emergent Hinduism • Vishnu- pacific father-god, comforter, savior, appeared in human form nine times • Shiva- cosmic force of change that destroys to build anew (spouse- Parvati) • Devi- goddess, appears as tender mother, ferocious warrior

30. Emergent Hinduism • Mahabharata- world’s longest work of literature • Similar to the Iliad • Includes the Bhagavad-Gita (stressed performance of duty) • Krishna reveals wisdom

31. Buddhism after the Buddha • Mahayana Buddhism (“Great Vehicle” Movement) • Began 100 BCE in response to Buddhism • Stressed dharma, compassion for others • Spread to Tibet, Korea, Japan, China

32. Buddhism after the Buddha • Theravada Buddhism- older form of Buddhism • Stressed attainment of nirvana • Seeks to eliminate separate identity and attain absorption into spirit • Spread to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia

33. Buddhism after the Buddha

34. Networks of Exchange • Research and bring in an item that was traded in the Indian Ocean Trading network. • What is your item? • Where was your item produced? Where was it traded to? • Analyze the significance of your item in the global network.

35. Networks of Exchange • Extensive east-west trade • Han China, India, Roman Empire, and others • Trade via caravan route across Asia • Trade via sea route facilitated by monsoons

36. Networks of Exchange • Romans sought luxury goods- cotton, silk, ivory, pearls, spices • Indian built magnificent palaces • Middlemen (Parthians, Kushans) profited • Travelers, envoys, pilgrims, missionaries followed

37. Conclusion • Three major religions evolved in India- Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism • Indian philosophy tends to justify and explain social order • Classical Indian religion, philosophy, and traditions endure today

38. Quiz 4 • Provide a 2-3 sentence response to each question including historical evidence and perspective. • 1. What are the Vedas and what do they teach us about early Indian societies? • 2. Define karma, dharma, and the transmigration of the soul, and explain how these concepts related to the social structure of early India. • 3. Compare the political, social and economic contributions of Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka.