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Chapter 2 Ancient India 1500 – 100 BC I. Background to the Emergence of Civilization in India II. Harappan Civilization: A Fascinating Enigma I. Culture II. Political III. Religious IV. Food V. Agriculture / Trade / Economic III. Arrival of the Aryans, c. 1500 B.C.E. I. Early Aryans II. Political III. Legal IV. The Mauryan Empire I. Chandragupta Maurya 324-301 BC I. Arthasastra V. Caste and Class: Social Structures in Ancient India VI. Daily Life in Ancient India VII. The Economy of Ancient India VIII. The Religious World of Ancient India I. Hinduism II. Reincarnation III. Buddhism IV. Janism and Sikhism IX. The Rule of the Fishes: India after the Mauryas X. The Exuberant World of Indian Culture I. Literature II. Architecture XI. Conclusion I. Background to the Emergence of Civilization in India 3000 BC Two of the worlds religions: Hinduism and Buddhism originated in India Sikhism and Islam history that dates back nearly 5000 years. Geographical divisions II. Harappan Civilization: A Fascinating Enigma Indus river, Harrapan civilization began. Today versus 6000 years ago Harappa – city unearthed • Villages in the Indus valley 7000 B.C.E. • Harappa a city more than 3 ½ mile in circumference with wall over 40 feet thick I. CULTURE – – – – Walls in Harappa – 40 feet thick, 3.5 miles around city. Walls, roads, and square mud brick buildings. held as many as perhaps 35,000 people Within walled city were walled neighborhoods – Architecture was functional with little artistic design – Pottery and sculpture shows artistic inclinations II. POLITICAL III. RELIGIOUS IV. FOOD: V. AGRICULTURAL AND TRADE / ECONOMIC – Textiles and foodstuffs – TRADERS – Ship trading and caravans over land. In one word, trading probably best describes the Harappan civilization. III. Arrival of the Aryans, I. The Early Aryans c. 1500 B.C.E. destroyed about 1500 BC • Invasion by Aryans • Social decay • Epidemic or natural phenomena II. POLITICAL Raja Maharajas III. LEGAL Iron Writing Dharma Until Alexander in 326 IV. The Mauryan Empire I. Chandragupta Maurya (324-301 B.C.E.) centralized the government large army Similarity to kings of Europe Governors would appoint magistrates to manage districts. Village at base of power structure, and village governed by a council – usually hereditary (wealthy families). I. Arthasastra, a treatise on politics V. Caste and Class: Social Structures in Ancient India Aryans arrived with a structure previously established. • The Caste System • Varna • • • • • Level 1: Leadership/Religious (known as Brahmins) Level 2: Warriors (kshatriya) Level 3: Commoner (Vaisyas) Level 4: Sudras (mass bulk of population) Level 5: Outcasts / Pariahs / untouchables • TECHNICALLY CASTES WERE absolute. NO change ever could occur. • Practically, more likely during early times 1500 – 500 BC – some mobility. • Caste taboos • Jati VI. Daily Life in Ancient India • Centered around the family • Individual not important – family unit important. • For most part, a patriarchal society • In homes, not uncommon to find 2-3 generations living together • Oldest male possessed legal authority over entire family unit. • Education • Inheritance • Divorce • Procreation • Sexuality – Homosexuality – Concubines VII. The Economy • Not changed by Aryans – Was farming before and was after. Not only did it remain, but Aryans took up farming. • Developed trade and manufacturing • Agriculture expanded • Property divided when father died • Trade as far as SE Asia and China, toward Africa and Madagascar. – India shipped spices, perfumes, jewels, ivory, stones and what returned was gold, tin, lead, wine. • By 2nd century BC, use of money – when copper and gold coins introduced from Middle East regions. – Barter had been used or exchange of a type of shell (cowry shell – highly polished shell) VIII. Escaping the Wheel of Life: The Religious World of Ancient India I. HINDUISM: Pantheon of gods Dyaus Sacrifice Asceticism Vedas Upanishads Brahman. Vishnu II. Reincarnation 6th century BC All living species divided into classes and it is predetermined, not to be questioned, not a cosmic accident but the inevitable result of actions that the soul has committed in the past. Karma Dharma governs karma • Reincarnation provided sanction for the castes, social structure, hope for the lower classes and advanced assimilation into Indian society. Trinity of gods: Brahman the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Siva the Destroyer III. Buddhism: 6th century BC Northern India Siddhartha Gautama (c. 560-480 B.C.E.) • Dedicated his life to finding cure for human suffering Few documents or texts remain, few were written Question whether he would have been interested in a religion or simply a reformation of what was. Bodhi (wisdom) • Four Noble Truths • Middle Path Elements: Karma Reincarnation Simplicity in life Nirvana Asoka, A Buddhist Monarch (269-232 B.C.E.) Denied existence of individual soul Our physical environment is a fiction to be transcended Once worldly cares are forgotten so to will pain and suffering IV. Jainism and Sikhism IX.. The Rule of the Fishes: India after the Mauryas Asoka's death in 232 decline in regional trade during the first millennium C.E. may have contributed to the growth of small land-based kingdoms, political behavior of the ruling class was characterized by what Indians call the "rule of the fishes," which glorified warfare as the natural activity of the king and the aristocracy Arthasastra X. The Exuberant World of Indian Culture I. Literature Sanskrit language Rigveda – hymns used in religious ceremonies, second millennium B.C.E. Mahabharata, 100 B.C.E. • War of cousins for control of the kingdom; interwoven are the legends of the Hindu gods – Moral confrontation and ethics • 90,000 stanzas • Bhagavadgita Ramayana – triumph of good over evil II. Architecture and Sculpture Pillar Stupa Rock chamber
