Download Unit 1- Foundations through the Classical Era

Classical India
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Political Centralization
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The Mauryan Empire (321-185 B.C.E.)
Under Chandragupta Maurya &
Ashoka Maurya
- Arthashastra
- built roads, collected taxes,
displayed Rock and Pillar Edicts
- size of bureaucracy led to the
fall of the empire
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Political Centralization
Critical Thinking
Which specific caste may have taken
issue with certain policies of Ashoka?
Explain your reasoning.
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Political De-centralization
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The Gupta Empire (320-550 C.E.)
Under Chandra Gupta
- leaves local government and
administration to regional leaders
- invasions by the nomadic
White Huns & the usurping of
power by regional leaders causes
downfall.
PART 1 – Questions for Analysis
1. Compare and contrast the Gupta and Mauryan
Empires politically. What factors account for the fact
that large centralized empires did not “take hold” in
India as they did in other parts of the classical
world?
PART 2 – Making Connections
b. the White Huns & the Yellow Turbans
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Economics
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Agricultural basis
- Ashoka built irrigation canals
Manufactured goods
Cotton, spices, & gems
Long-distance and maritime
trade
- monsoon system facilitates trade
The Bactrian Camel
PART 2 – Making Connections
a. jatis & the Silk Roads
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Religion in India
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Hinduism
- Aryans recognize 4 main castes
- practices of early Brahmins
The Bhagavad Gita
Dharma, Samsara, & Moksha
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Religion in India
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Buddhism
- The Four Noble Truths
- The Eightfold Path - dharma
The Turning of the Wheel of Law
Nirvana is ultimate goal
does not recognize class
distinctions
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g6_u7/
The Spread of Buddhism
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g6_u7/
Representations of the Buddha – Image #1
Footprints of the Buddha
The Swastika
su = good asti = to be and ka = making
Image #2
Classical India
Critical Thinking Question
2. Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all emerged in
India during this period. How did each one appeal
to certain groups of people? Identify specific
aspects of each faith that were attractive to those
groups.
Ch.9 – State and Society in India
Social Structure in India
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The Caste System stratifies society
- places males at top as priests
Jati or subcastes are created
Heavily patriarchal
Reinforced by literature
- Mahabharata & Ramayana