Classical Civilization

1
Classical Civilization
2
Topography of India

• Subcontinent of India is partially separated from
  the rest of the Asian continent by the Himalayas

3
Passes through the mountains linked India to
other civilizations in the Middle East
4
Divisions within India itself made full unity
very difficult.
5
The most important agricultural regions are those
along the Indus and the Ganges Rivers
6
The Formative Period
Indian civilization was also shaped by its Vedic
and Aryan Ages. Aryan conquerors gradually came
to terms with agriculture. These ages brought
the caste system, Sanskrit and many other
religious beliefs to India.
7
Patterns in Classical India
8
Political eras were less clear in India
Invasions constantly disrupted the flow of rule.
9
Classical India alternated between widespread
empires and a network of smaller kingdoms.
10
The Maurya and Gupta dynasties constituted the
most successful political regimes in India. They
were run entirely by Indians themselves as
opposed to outside conquerors.
11
The Maurya DynastyThe first to unify much of the
subcontinent. Its first major ruler was
Chandragupta. He ruled along the Ganges River
around 322 BCE. He borrowed from Persian
political models, and Alexander the Great.
12
Chandragupta and his successors maintained large
armies, developed large bureaucracies, and
developed a postal service. Their style of
government was highly autocratic.
13
Ashoka was even greater than his grandfather.
Through fierce fighting, he gained control of all
but the southern tip of India.
14
Ashoka worked to improve trade and communication.
Built an extensive road network, with wells and
rest stops for travelers. Commerce grew. After
Ashoka, the empire to fall apart.
15
The GuptasBegan around 320 CE - No individual
rulers but a great impact - Power was spread
through intermarriage and negotiation. This was
the greatest period of stability for India. They
were overthrown by the Huns in 535 CE
16
The Caste SystemProvided the stability in India
that most countries received from government.
17
The caste system developed during the Vedic and
Epic Ages. It slowly developed into almost 300
sub castes. It provided a network of rules and
promoted public order.
18
HinduismThe religion of the majority of people
from India. Hinduism had no single founder and
no central holy figure.
19
Features of HinduismUpanishads Epic poems
Dharma Hindu moral law
20
Buddhism Founded on the teachings of Gautama
born around 563 BCE Accepted many Hindu beliefs
but attacked the priests and caste system.
21
Buddha argued that holy life could be attained
from any level of society.
22
Characteristics of Indias Society

• Family life emphasized rigidity and tight
  organization
• Male dominance was greater in theory than reality
• Families formed economic units
• Economy rivaled China in sophistication and
  technology but was still agricultural based
• Very prosperous upper class
• Emphasized trade and merchant activity (greater
  than China and the Med. World