Classical India. Representations of the Buddha – Image #1

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Classical India

Footprints of the Buddha

The Swastika

su = good asti = to be and ka = making

Image #2

Classical IndiaCritical 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

Political Centralization• 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 IndiaPolitical Centralization

Ch.9 – State and Society in India

Political De-centralization• 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.

Ch.9 – State and Society in India

Economics• Agricultural basis - Ashoka built irrigation canals• Manufactured goods• Cotton, spices, & gems• Long-distance and maritime

trade - monsoon system facilitates trade

Ch.9 – State and Society in IndiaReligion in India• 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• 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/

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g6_u7/

The Spread of Buddhism

Ch.9 – State and Society in India

Social Structure in India• The Caste System stratifies society - places males at top as priests• Jati or subcastes are created• Heavily patriarchal• Reinforced by literature - Mahabharata & Ramayana

PART 1 – Questions for Analysis1. 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?

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.

PART 2 – Making ConnectionsExplain the relationship between each of the following pairs. How does one lead to or foster the other? Be specific in your response. a. jatis & the Silk Roads b. the White Huns & the Yellow Turbans

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