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Change and Continuity Over Time Essay
Topic: Analyze the cultural and political changes and continuities in INDIAN civilization during the last centuries of the classical era (300 CE – 600 CE)
Beginning
Middle
Approximately 320 – 550 CE
th
Early 4 C. CE
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Lack of central power
unifying India’s many
regional kingdoms/states.
Much inter-state and foreign
warfare.
Stability found in the level of
village life and the caste
system/Hinduism.
Thriving trade in Eurasia,
joining China and Roman
Europe.
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The Gupta Empire, founded by Chandra Gupta,
unifies much of northern India.
Mathematical and scientific achievements
include “Arabic” numerals, the concept of zero, and
inoculation.
Liberal and safe society as described by Chinese
Buddhist monk Faxian/Fa-hsien.
Artistic achievements include the playwright
Kalidasa, Hindu temples, and sculpture.
Women are further subjected to patriarchal control
in the form of sati and female infanticide.
Hinduism gains dominance as the religion of the
Gupta Empire, but Buddhism continues to survive
due to religious tolerance.
End
End of the 6th C. CE
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The Gupta Empire weakens
as a result of invasions by
the Huns and eventually
falls.
Indian civilization returns to
a state of disorder.
Hinduism, architectural
styles, and the treatment of
women are retained since the
Gupta Empire.
Trade continues to thrive
but weakens with Europe due
to the fall of the Western
Roman Empire.
Changes: With the rule of the Gupta Empire, Indian civilization enters a peaceful, prosperous state.
The treatment of women is worsened as they are further subjugated to a patriarchal society.
Innovations are made in the arts, sciences, and mathematics.
Continuities: Hinduism continues to flourish as the official religion of the empire, but Buddhism thrives as well. Religion maintains stability.
Profitable Eurasian trade continues.
THESIS: Between 300 – 600CE, Indian civilization remained a patriarchal, Hinduism-based society, with prosperous trade but through the rise
and fall of the Gupta Empire, Indian civilization experienced short-lived political unity under a peaceful administration, increased
discrimination against women, and an increase in artistic and intellectual activity, until the disintegration of the empire.