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Geography
Climates
Classical India
Chapter 3
Hallmarks of Historic India
1.
2.
“India” = derived from “Indus”
meaning ‘land of the hIndus’
Diversity

Many social classes (5 castes divided into 100s of jati)

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Source of identity, Most important social unit
Many governments (Regional kingdoms more common
than unifying empires)

Many gods (millions of Hindu gods, Buddhism, Jainism)
Regional
Kingdoms
Hindu
Gods
Vishnu
-preserver of life
Hindu
Gods
Shiva
-destroyer
Hindu
Gods
Ganesha

God of wisdom
Hindu
Gods
Saraswati

Goddess of
knowledge & the
arts
Hindu
Gods
Durga

Goddess of war
& female
creative energy
Hindu
Gods
Krishna
Results of Diversity
in Modern India
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30 languages with over 1 million
speakers
Federalist state with 28 states & 7
territories
Many religions

(Hinduism = 80%, Islam = 14%,
Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism,
Judaism)
States
Language
Families
Local
Languages
Reason for Diversity?
Geography
 Separate
(Himalaya)
yet

Interconnected
(Indian Ocean trade, Khyber Pass)
Bellringer
When you entered class today, you were
reincarnated.

Using complete sentences, describe
what you did yesterday to deserve your
new caste.
Timeline Preview
1500-1000 BCE: Vedic Age

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Vedas composed
Spread of Iron tools
Adoption of Sanskrit
1000-600 BCE: Epic Age

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Brahman influence peaks
Mahabhrata, Ramayana, & Upanisads composed
Castes solidified
563-483 BCE:

Life of Buddha & birth of Buddhism
327-325 BCE:

Alexander the Great invades India

Beginning of contacts b/t Classical societies
320-232 BCE: Maurya

Elaborate efforts to centralize power in hands
of emperor




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Noted ruler: Ashoka
Largest territory
Bureaucracy overseen by officials directly
appointed by & reporting to emperor
Efforts at standardization in justice, punishment,
pay scales
Built road system – tree lined, distance markers
200 BCE – 220 CE:

Regionalism: era b/t Indian Empires

Central Asian influence (Kushans)
Age of Paradoxes

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Intrusion of outside cultures – Greeks & Central
Asian nomads
Trade & Art flourishes


Merchant patrons instead of rulers
Spread of Indian culture


export of Buddhism along Silk Road,
Hinduism to SE Asia
220 – 320:

political instability
320 – 535: Gupta


Golden Age – but not in policy rather in art,
science, & manufacturing
Government – decentralized



Feudal–like (local authority, loyalty via relationships)
“King among Kings”
Trade prospers
Bellringer
When you entered class today, you were
reincarnated.

Using complete sentences, describe
what you did yesterday to deserve your
new caste.
Hinduism & Buddhism
Questions:
1.
2.
What do you already know about
Hinduism?
List the kinds qualities that “good”
people can possess.
For example: Strength, etc.
Religion & Culture - Hinduism

No single founder

Evolved overtime yielding remarkable complexity
& diversity

330 million different gods, yet monotheistic

Interconnection with caste
2 of 4
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
millions of local deities
world of humans:
dharma
fulfillment of life roles
karma
reincarnation
death
Religion & Culture - Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in 536 BCE
in response to Hinduism



Questioned fairness of misery believing the
material world caused human suffering
Adopted Hindu ideas of mysticism &
reincarnation;
Rejected caste, rituals, priests
Buddhism
 Four Noble Truths
 All life is suffering;
 Suffering is caused by desire;
 There can be an end to desire;
 Follow the eightfold path
Buddhism
 Eightfold Path
 Right understanding
 Right resolve
 Right speech
 Right action
 Right livelihood
 Right effort
 Right contemplation
 Right meditation
Sanchi Stupa,
built by Emperor Ashoka
Review
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Suffering is caused by desire 
Caste system

Society is like a family
Harsh rewards & punishments 

Looks to tradition to solve
problems

Advocated Buddhism

Focused on practical
technologies

Indian empires in chronological
order
Brisk internal trade, more
isolated internationally
Advocated Hinduism
Reincarnation
Short lived empire
Ruled through regional
alliances
Cultural golden age
Stressed duty & social role
Chinese dynasties in
chronological order