Chapter 6 Lecture Notes: India and Southeast Asia, 1500 BCE - 1025 CE PDF

Chapter 6 India and Southeast Asia, 1500 B.C.E.-1025 C.E. Focus Question: Analyze the historical forces that led to the complex society of ancient India.  Chapter 6 Vocabulary 1. Vedas 2. Varna 3. Karma 4. Buddha 5. Hinduism 6. Buddhism 7. Ashoka 8. Mauryan Empire 9. Gupta Empir...

Chapter 6 India and Southeast Asia, 1500 B.C.E.-1025 C.E. Focus Question: Analyze the historical forces that led to the complex society of ancient India.  Chapter 6 Vocabulary 1. Vedas 2. Varna 3. Karma 4. Buddha 5. Hinduism 6. Buddhism 7. Ashoka 8. Mauryan Empire 9. Gupta Empire 10.Monsoon 7|2  The Thousand Pillared Hall in the Temple of Minakshi at Madurai At the annual Chittarai Festival, the citizens of this city in south India celebrate the wedding of their local patron goddess, Minakshi, to the high god Shiva. 7|3  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. The Indian Subcontinent three zones 1. Northern mountains 2. Indus-Ganges basin 3. Southern peninsula Ganges Delta-rice Elsewhere--wheat, millet, barley Geographical diversity has made it very difficult for any political power to unify all of India for any great length of time Monsoon—seasonal winds in the Indian Ocean 7|4  Map 7.1 Ancient India Mountains and ocean largely separate the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia. Migrations and invasions usually came through the Khyber Pass in the northwest. Seaborne commerce with western Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia often flourished. The diversity of the Indian landscape, the multiplicity of ethnic groups, and the primary identification of people with their class and caste lie behind the division into many small states that has characterized much of Indian political history.  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. The Vedic Age Indo-European warriors migrated into India Oral tradition suggest that there was a struggle between light-skinned Arya and darker skinned Dravidian-speaking Dasas This struggle between Aryas and Dasas led to the development of the system of varna—meaning “color” equivalent to “class” 7|6  Caste System People born into one of the four varna: 1. Brahmin (priests/scholar) 2. Kshatriya (warriors) 3. Vaishya (merchants) 4. Shudra (peasant/laborer) ✧ Untouchables were outside the system and consisted of persons who did demeaning or ritually work, contact with dead bodies, animals, and humans 7|7  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. The Vedic Age System of varna (class) and jati (regional group) were rationalized Each individual has an immortal spirit--atman Reborn in another body after death One’s station in the next life depends on one’s actions—karma--in this and previous lives Goal to achieve moksha (liberation cycles of rebirth) through yoga, special diets, or meditation 7|8  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. Challenges to the Old Order: Jainism and Buddhism Hinduism rigid social hierarchy and Buddhism challenge against the religious monopoly of the Brahmins Jainism—practice nonviolence, extremes not to kill any living thing 7|9 Sculpture of the Buddha, Second or Third Century C.E. This depiction of the Buddha, showing the effects of a protracted fast before he abandoned asceticism for the path of moderation, is from Gandhara in the northwest. It displays the influence of Greek artistic styles emanating from Greek settlements established in that region by Alexander the Great in the late fourth century B.C.E. 7 | 10  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. Buddhism Founder—Siddhartha Gautama Title—Buddha---“Enlightened One” Alienated by extremes of a wealthy youth Teachings—Four Noble Truths and of the Eightfold Path---lead to individual to enlightenment Took vows of celibacy, nonviolence, and poverty 7 | 11  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. Buddhism Original form of Buddhism centered on individual attempts to gain enlightenment-- 1. Moderate living 2. Self-discipline 3. Meditation Goal to achieve nirvana—release of cycle of birth, death, rebirth Buddhist teaching—all things are combined unlike Vedic belief in the existence of everlasting soul (atman) 7 | 12 Carved Stone Gateway Leading to the Great Stupa at Sanchi Pilgrims traveled long distances to visit stupas, mounds containing relics of the Buddha. The complex at Sanchi, in central India, was begun by Ashoka in the third century B.C.E., though the gates probably date to the first century C.E. This relief shows a royal procession bringing the remains of the Buddha to the city of Kushinagara.  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. The Evolution of Hinduism Due to new religious movements led to reforms Vedic religion + incorporated the intense personal religious devotion Sacrifice less important, personal devotion to the gods increased 7 | 14  Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.–300 C.E. Hinduism Vishnu—preserver Shiva---the destroyer Devi—the Goddess Other countless gods and goddesses were understood to be manifestations of a single divine force Worship centered on temples and shrines included puja—service to a deity People’s need for personal deities—direct contact Hinduism became dominant religion of India 7 | 15  Hindu Temple at Khajurah This sandstone temple of the Hindu deity Shiva, representing the celestial mountain of the gods, was erected at Khajuraho, in central India, around 1000 C.E., but it reflects the architectural symbolism of Hindu temples developed in the Gupta period. Worshipers made their way through several rooms to the image of the deity, located in the innermost “womb-chamber” directly beneath the tallest tower. Vishnu Rescuing the Earth Goddess, Fifth Century C.E. This sculpture, carved into the rock wall of a cave at Udayagiri in eastern India, depicts Vishnu in his incarnation as a boar rescuing the Earth Goddess from the vast ocean. As the god treads triumphantly on a subdued snake demon and the joyful goddess clings to his snout, a chorus of gods and sages applaud the miracle.  Foundations of Indian Civilization: Discussion ⮚ What historical forces led to the development of complex social groupings in ancient India? 7 | 18  Imperial Expansion and Collapse, 324 B.C.E.–650 C.E. The Mauryan Empire, 324–184 B.C.E. The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta with successors Bindusara and Ashoka—until it included almost the entire subcontinent Included a large army Supported by a 25% percent tax on the agriculture products of the empire State monopolies on mines, shipbuilding and armaments Ashoka converted to Buddhism—Buddhist policies of government are preserved in edicts, inscribed on rocks, pillars throughout his empire 7 | 19  Imperial Expansion and Collapse, 324 B.C.E.–650 C.E. Commerce and Culture in an Era of Political Fragmentation Period of political fragmentation in the north, central and south India experienced different patterns of development Central India experienced economic improvements as well as more religious authority and urbanization Southern India---Tamil kingdoms had the great artistic achievement 7 | 20  Imperial Expansion and Collapse, 324 B.C.E.–650 C.E. The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Rulers of Gupta Empire brought northern and central India, but not the south under their control Guptas controlled iron deposits, established state monopolies, collected 25% agriculture tax---never as strong as Mauryan Empire 7 | 21  Imperial Expansion and Collapse, 324 B.C.E.–650 C.E. The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Used army to control core of empire, provincial administration left to govern who often made their posts into hereditary, subordinate kingdoms Women lost the right to inherit or own property, or participate in key rituals—treated like the lowest caste (Shudra) Linked to the outside world by extensive trade with east Asia Empire collapsed under financial burden of defense against the Huns 7 | 22 Wall Painting from the Caves at Ajanta, Fifth Century C.E. During and after the Gupta period, natural caves in the Deccan were turned into shrines decorated with sculpture and painting. This painting, while depicting one of the earlier lives of the Buddha, also gives us a glimpse of contemporary life at the Gupta court. King Mahajanaka, about to give up his throne and leave his family to become a monk, receives a ritual bath.  Imperial Expansion and Collapse: Discussion ⮚ How, in the face of powerful forces that tended to keep India fragmented, did two great empires—the Mauryan Empire of the fourth to second centuries B.C.E. and the Gupta Empire of the fourth to sixth centuries C.E.— succeed in unifying much of India? 7 | 24  Map 7.2 Southeast Asia Southeast Asia’s position between the ancient centers of civilization in India and China had a major impact on its history. In the first millennium C.E. a series of powerful and wealthy states arose in the region by gaining control of major trade routes. Shifting trade routes led to the rise and fall of the various centers.  Buddhist Monument at Borobodur, Java This great monument of volcanic stone was more than 300 feet (90 meters) in length and over 100 feet (30 meters) high. Pilgrims made a 3-mile-long (nearly 5-kilometer- long) winding ascent through ten levels intended to represent the ideal Buddhist journey from ignorance to enlightenment.  Southeast Asia, 50–1025 C.E.: Discussion ⮚ How did a number of states in Southeast Asia become wealthy and powerful by exploiting their position on the trade routes between China and India? 7 | 27  Chapter Chronology: India and Southeast Asia, 2000 B.C.E. to 1000 C.E. Empty cell India Southeast Asia 2000 B.C.E. empty cell circa 2000 B.C.E. Swidden agriculture circa 1600 B.C.E. Beginning of migrations from mainland Southeast Asia to islands in Pacific and Indian Oceans 1500 B.C.E. circa 1500 B.c.E. Migration of Indo-European empty cell peoples into northwest India 1000 B.C.E. circa 1000 B.C.E. Indo-European groups empty cell move into the Ganges Plain 500 B.C.E. circa 500 B.C.E. Siddhartha Gautama founds empty cell Buddhism; Mahavira founds Jainism 324 B.C.E. Chandragupta Maurya becomes king of Magadha and lays foundation for Mauryan Empire 273-232 B.C.E. Reign of Ashoka 184 B.C.E. Fall of Mauryan Empire 1 C.E. circa 50-560 C.E. Funan dominates 320 C.E. Chandra Gupta establishes Gupta southern Indochina and the Isthmus Empire of Kra 500 C.E. circa 500 C.E. Trade route develops 550 C.E. Collapse of Gupta Empire through Strait of Malacca 606-647 C.E. Reign of Harsha Vardhana 683 C.E. Rise of Srivijaya in Sumatra 770-825 C.E. Construction of 7 | 28 Borobodur in Java