HIST 1010 Fall 2024 Lecture 016: Political History of India 350 BCE - 350 CE PDF

HIST 1010 Fall 2024 Lecture 016: Political History of India 350 BCE- 350 CE By Matt Malczycki Geography: S. Asia & India – S. Asia includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh & other countries – home to more than...

HIST 1010 Fall 2024 Lecture 016: Political History of India 350 BCE- 350 CE By Matt Malczycki Geography: S. Asia & India – S. Asia includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh & other countries – home to more than 1.7 billion people = about ¼ world population – majority religions today: Hinduism & Islam The Nandas – fl. ca 343-321 BCE – Mahapadama Nanda (r. ca 345-329 BCE) founder & greatest Nanda king – 1st imperial Ganges R. kingdom – began in sudra/shudra caste & overthrew regional kshatriyas – historical info comes in part from Hindu and Buddhist scripture & religious writing – fearsome army of infantry, cavalry, & chariots The Mauryan Dynasty (ca. 322-185 BCE) – founded by Chandragupta Maurya (r. ca. 324-301 BCE) – supplanted the Nandas – first Indian dynasty to unite (most of) northern & southern India under one ruler – known for efficient government – regular contact with Hellenistic world Chandragupta Maurya (r. 324-301 BCE) – founded Mauryan Dynasty, which ruled northern India and eventually expanded to include most of modern India – the brahmin advisor Kautilya (also Chanakya) was Chandragupta Maurya’s chief minister – Kautilya’s Artha-shastra emphasized economy, taxation, and security forces – Chandragupta became a devoted Jain later in life Ashoka Maurya (r. 268-232 BCE) – after a career of conquest by war, he turned to "conquest by dharma" – became Buddhist & spread Buddhist teachings throughout India – attempted to lead by Buddhist example The Bactrians – descendants of Alexander the Great’s Greek troops – founded Hellenistic kingdom in what is now Afghanistan – filled void left by Mauryan decline in NW India – culture was a blend of Greek, Indian, & Central Asian cultures – height of power: ca. 250- 150 BCE The Kushans – Chinese sources refer to them as subset of Yuezhi of Central Asia – they supplanted the Bactrians – Kanishka (r. ca 78-101 CE) was greatest Kushan king – tolerated other religions but supported Buddhism – considered major empire by Romans The Guptas – ca. 320-515 CE – founded by Chandragupta I (r. ca. 320-335; no relation to Chandragupta Maurya) – became largest most unified Indian state for centuries – supported Hinduism, but tolerated other religions – good map on pg. 181 Samudragupta (r. ca. 335-380 CE) – son of Chandragupta I – fought against his relatives – conquered Ganges River valley & expanded Gupta Empire from Bengal in east to Taxila (Pakistan) in west – he made some of the kings he defeated into Gupta vassals – Brahmin varna (caste); devotee of god Vishnu; helped restore Vedic/Hindu religion The End