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The “Classical Era” in the East
The Empires of India
The Aryan Invasion
• Indus River Valley Civilization suddenly collapsed.
• The people living in region were then conquered
by the Aryans.
• Aryans came from Central Asia arriving in India
about 1,500 B.C.
• Aryans were nomadic people.
• By 900 B.C. Aryans had formed city-states ruled by
its own ruler.
• They developed their own form of writing, known
as Sanskrit.
Hinduism
The Aryans also brought a new religion to India, known as
Hinduism.
Gods. Hindus believe that there are many
gods and goddesses. Each of these gods,
however, is a manifestation (form) of one
Supreme Being.
Reincarnation. Hindus believe that at
death, a person’s soul is reborn as another
living thing. This creates an endless cycle of
rebirth for each soul.
MAJOR BELIEFS OF HINDUISM
Karma. Karma refers to a person’s behavior
in life, which Hindus believe determines
that person’s form in the next life. People
who live a good life will be reborn in a
higher caste. Those who do not are reborn
in a lower caste.
Sacred objects. Hindus believe the Ganges
River is sacred and has the power to wash
away sin and evil. The cow is also
considered sacred, and religious Hindus do
not eat beef.
The Caste System
A social system divided by occupation and money
Buddhism
Basic Philosophy. Buddhism is based on
a philosophy of self-denial and
mediation. Buddhist also believe in
reincarnation.
God and Holy Books. Buddhist do not
believe in a single Supreme Being (God).
They also do not have a primary holy
book. Their basic beliefs are found in
books called Sutras.
MAJOR BELIEFS OF BUDDHISM
Four Noble Truths. These
truths explain life’s meaning.
They explain that pain and
suffering is caused by human
desires, such as the desire for
material wealth and selfish
pleasures. Only by giving up
wrongful desires can a person
find peace and harmony.
Eightfold Path. To give up
selfish human desires, Buddhist
believe one should follow this
path: have the right goals, have
the right perspectives, be
aware, act in a worthy manner,
speak truthfully, live
righteously, respect all living
things, and meditate.
Nirvana. By following the
Eightfold Path, an individual
can escape the soul’s endless
reincarnations and achieve
nirvana – state of eternal
peace and bliss.
The Spread of Buddhism
The Mauryan Empire (about 320 B.C. – 232 B.C.)
• King Chandragupta challenged the Greeks and
established the powerful Mauryan Empire in India.
– Created a bureaucracy (system that runs a govt
and ran a centralized system-all cities report to
one location and all laws come from one location
• Asoka (269 B.C. – 231 B.C.) was the next great ruler
of India.
– converted to Buddhism, peace and prosperity:
roads, hospitals, laws, shrines – empire declined
at death
The Gupta Empire (320 A.D. – 535 A.D.)
• 500 years of invasions after Mauryan
• Gupta Empire – AD 320-550
– “Golden Age” – devised Arabic number system,
decimal system, concept of zero, vaccines against
smallpox, architecture (stupas)
– Declined due to weak rulers, civil war, and foreign
invaders
The Dynasties of China
Dynastic Cycle in China
Strong dynasty established peace and prosperity; it
is considered to have Mandate of Heaven.
The new dynasty gains
power, restore peace and
order, and claims to have
Mandate of Heaven
Dynasty is overthrown through
rebellion and bloodshed; a new
dynasty emerges.
In time, dynasty declines and
becomes corrupt; taxes are raised;
power grows weaker.
ROLE OF
MANDATE OF
HEAVEN
Disasters such as floods,
famines, and invasions occur.
Old dynasty is seen as having lost Mandate of
Heaven; rebellion is justified.
Confucianism
Natural Order. There is a natural
order to the universe and to human
relationships. Each person has a role
in society, which reflects his or her
position in the universe.
Role of Each Person. Each person’s
social role brings a number of
obligations. If everyone fulfills these
roles by meeting their obligations,
people and society will be in
harmony.
MAJOR BELIEFS OF CONFUCIANSIM
Relationships. In each relationship,
there is a superior and an inferior.
The superior must show love and
responsibility, while the inferior
must show loyalty and obedience.
Mandate of Heaven. If the ruler
benefits his people and provides
them with food and protection, then
the people will obey their ruler, who
will continue to hold the Mandate of
Heaven (right to rule).
Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.)
• In 1027 B.C. the Shang (RVC) were conquered,
marking the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty.
• New Ruler claims his Mandate of Heaven
• The greatest legacy of the Zhou Dynasty was
the work of two Chinese philosophers,
Confucius and Lao Tzu (Daoism-respect for
nature and harmony and accept things as they
are, not change them)
Qin Dynasty 221 B.C. – 206 B.C.)
• Qin Dynasty
• Shi Huangdi
– Abolished feudalism – set up military districts
– Harsh – Legalism
– Standardized weights and measures
– Improved transportation – canals, roads
– Began building The Great Wall to keep invaders out
• Collapse of Qin
– Shi Huangdi’s death
– Revolts over high taxes, forced labor, and cruel policies
– Liu Bang claimed Mandate of Heaven
Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)
• Wudi – most famous emperor
• Expanded the empire
• Built the Silk Road – new foods: cucumbers,
grapes, walnuts from western Asia – 4000
miles to Fertile Crescent
• Confucianism
• Civil service exam
Han Dynasty Cont.
• “Golden Age”
– Science: books on chemistry, zoology, astronomy,
simple seismograph
– Medicine: acupuncture
– Technology: inventions-paper, iron stirrups,
rudder, wheelbarrows, suspension bridges