Classical India AP World History

The Indian Subcontinent India has three topographical zones: Northern mountainous zone Indus and Ganges Basins The peninsula - divided into another four sub-regions What do you think was the political impact of this geography diversity?

India has three topographical zones:

Northern mountainous zone

Indus and Ganges Basins

The peninsula - divided into another four sub-regions

What do you think was the political impact of this geography diversity?

Social System Origins Aryan migrants create social order * Hereditary, defines societal roles, occupation Varna = “color” - racial differences, castes Based upon idea that people are different, should have different roles

Aryan migrants create social order *

Hereditary, defines societal roles, occupation

Varna = “color” - racial differences, castes

Based upon idea that people are different, should have different roles

Four Varnas Brahmans / Priests - intellectual and spiritual leaders Kshatriya / Warriors and aristocrats - protectors of society Vaishyas / Merchants, farmers, artisans - skilled producers Shundras / unskilled labor Untouchables - outside of caste system

Brahmans / Priests - intellectual and spiritual leaders

Kshatriya / Warriors and aristocrats - protectors of society

Vaishyas / Merchants, farmers, artisans - skilled producers

Shundras / unskilled labor

Untouchables - outside of caste system

Characteristics Caste defined occupation, diet, social interactions, style of dress Shundras, untouchables excluded - could not read/hear Vedas Duty of monarch to maintain system Lack of individualism

Caste defined occupation, diet, social interactions, style of dress

Shundras, untouchables excluded - could not read/hear Vedas

Duty of monarch to maintain system

Lack of individualism

Connections to Hinduism Indian leaders believed it to supernaturally ordained Brahmans spiritual leaders of India, advised kings, emperors Upward social mobility only through reincarnation Collected karma influences next life

Indian leaders believed it to supernaturally ordained

Brahmans spiritual leaders of India, advised kings, emperors

Upward social mobility only through reincarnation

Collected karma influences next life

Questions By implementing the caste system, what was accomplished? How important is its connection to Hinduism? How is this similar to China? Can you apply the caste system to high school?

By implementing the caste system, what was accomplished?

How important is its connection to Hinduism?

How is this similar to China?

Can you apply the caste system to high school?

Historical Patterns in India Culture: Caste system / Hinduism preserves social system across history Economics: Trade becomes a constant - part of Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, and more Politics: India goes eras of invasion and conquest by foreigners, large empires then falls into regional kingdoms

Culture: Caste system / Hinduism preserves social system across history

Economics: Trade becomes a constant - part of Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, and more

Politics: India goes eras of invasion and conquest by foreigners, large empires then falls into regional kingdoms

Mauryan Empire 324 BCE - 184 BCE Early outside influences Achaemenid province in N. India (520 BCE) - brought gov't style Alexander Invades in 327 BCE - destroyed all regional kingdomsm Kingdom of Magahad expands under Chandragupta ( video clip )

324 BCE - 184 BCE

Early outside influences

Achaemenid province in N. India (520 BCE) - brought gov't style

Alexander Invades in 327 BCE - destroyed all regional kingdomsm

Kingdom of Magahad expands under Chandragupta ( video clip )

Ashoka Conquered most of sub-continent Encouraged trade, expanded agriculture, built roads

Conquered most of sub-continent

Encouraged trade, expanded agriculture, built roads

Ashoka Converted to Buddhism - spreads it around India Used Rock and Pillar Edicts to proclaim positive messages ( video clip ) Gupta declines after his death

Converted to Buddhism - spreads it around India

Used Rock and Pillar Edicts to proclaim positive messages ( video clip )

Gupta declines after his death

Gupta Empire After Ashoka - political fragmentation Considered Golden Age of India - advances in math and astronomy Decentralized government (contrast to Mauryan, like Persia)

After Ashoka - political fragmentation

Considered Golden Age of India - advances in math and astronomy

Decentralized government (contrast to Mauryan, like Persia)

Hindu Revival - Gupta Decline of Mauryan Empire = decline of Buddhism in India Brahmans make it more appealing to common people Stressed importance of personal worship, devotion to individual gods Karma acquired by completion of caste duties / obligations

Decline of Mauryan Empire = decline of Buddhism in India

Brahmans make it more appealing to common people

Stressed importance of personal worship, devotion to individual gods

Karma acquired by completion of caste duties / obligations

Hindu Revival - Gupta Supported Hinduism - restored Brahmans in gov’t Extensive building of temples Caste system reasserted / solidified into Indian culture - more rigid Expanded with new Jatis Further restrictions put on Untouchables

Supported Hinduism - restored Brahmans in gov’t

Extensive building of temples

Caste system reasserted / solidified into Indian culture - more rigid

Expanded with new Jatis

Further restrictions put on Untouchables

Questions Why do you think modern day India has such a difficult time eliminating the caste system to day? Some Hindu scholars argue that the caste system actually contradicts Hinduism, what is your reaction? In the end, what single factor allowed Hinduism to flourish and Buddhism decline?

Why do you think modern day India has such a difficult time eliminating the caste system to day?

Some Hindu scholars argue that the caste system actually contradicts Hinduism, what is your reaction?

In the end, what single factor allowed Hinduism to flourish and Buddhism decline?