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HISTORY OF INDIASouth Asia North - Indo-Gangetic Plain South - Deccan PlateauI. THE FIRST EMPIRESIndia by the End of the Axial Age 1500 BCE - The Aryans migrated into the

Indus River Valley

1000-500 BCEThe Indio-Aryans movedfurther eastward into the rest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Sixteen great realms emerged to competefor supremacy.

- Kamboja- Gandhatra- Kuru- Pachala- Churasena- Matsya- Avanti- Assaka- Chetiya- Vatsa- Magadha- Kashi- Malla- Kosala- Vrijji- Anga

The power of Kshatriya increased, the rightsof common man diminished.

The Mauryans (321 184 BCE) Greatest extent under Dhana Nanda at 323

BCE.

Founded by Chandragupta Maruya at 320 BCEafter conquering the Nanda Empire.

Extension of Borders: Extended borders towards Seleucid Persia

afther defeating Seleucus at 305 BCE.

Extended borders southward into DeccanPlateau during 300 BCE.

Kautilya favors an autocratic welfare state (noingdom can survive without a good andefficient economy).

Chandragupat MauryaFirsrt emperor ofIndia

ChanakyaThe King Maker, The IndianMichiavelli; wrote Arthashastra

Rajarishi as the ideal leader:1. Has self-control.2. Cultivates intellect with association

with the elders.3. Keeps his eyes open through spies.4. Active in promoting the security &

welfare of the people.

5.

Ensures the observance of theirdharma by authority & example.6. Improves his own discipline by

learning in all branches ofknowledge.

7. Endears himself to his people byenriching them & doing good tothem.

Chandragupat MauryaFirst emperor ofIndia

1.

Established Government Bureaucracy.2. Controlled Economic Activity inMines, Forest, Pear Fisheries, and saltfields.

3. Operated farms, shipyards, andarsenals.

4. Maintained a formidable military:o600,000 infantryo30,000 cavalryo9,000 elephants

5. Constructed and improvedinfrastructures such as roads andirrigations.

6. Funded his works through a land tax(1/4 of of crops produced)

Ashoka- patron of Buddhism

Stupaliterally meaning heap; mound-likestructure containing Buddhist relics,typically the remains of a Buddha; used byBuddhists as a place of worship

oDhamek Stupain Sarnath,Northeastern India; oldest Suptain existence.

The Spread of Buddhism Mahayanaemphasizes belief in the Buddha

and the bodhisattva as compassionate gods.

Bodhisattvafuture Buddha TheravadaDoctrine of the Elders; closest

to the original version of the Buddha, theirfocus is on individual salvation and theimportance of monastic life

VajrayanaDiamond Vehicle or TrueWord Sect; stresses the importance of a closerelationship between a guru and disciples;symbolized by Dalai Lama

After the Maurya After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryans lost

their territories and north India dissolvedinto a number of smaller states ruled by localdynasties.

Savatahanaon kingdom that established itsown empire that would last for 400 years

The Kushans (100 300) Originates from Chinese Central Asia Built an Empire supported by the Silk Road Had diplomatic ties with:

oRomeoPersiaoHan China

Their art was a synthesis of Buddhist andHellinistic (Greek) styles.

Kanishkagreatest king of the Kushans

II. THE GOLDEN AGE

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The Gupta (320 500) Nalandaancient center of higher learning

in Bihar, India

Ajanta Cavesin Maharashtra, India arecomprised of 31 rock-cut cave monumentswhich date from the 2nd Century BC; includes

paintings and sculptures considered to bemasterpieces of both Buddhist religious art

Key Cultural Advancements:1. Indian culture was crystallized.

From architecture to poetry,expressions were very rich anddetailed.

2. Art forms were plentiful: thePanchahantra, the sanskrit drama,architecture, sculpture, and so on

3. The cults of Vishnu and Shivabecame popular.

4. Buddhists patronized education,leading the Gupta to become thecenter of learning at that time.

The Cholans (871 1279) Most prominent empire of the Tamil. There have been early mentions of the

Cholans as early as 300 BCE in the works ofAsoka but it was during the 9th Century thatthey achieved new heights as an empire.

Meenakshi Templein Madurai; the oldestcity in South India.

The Cholan, at its height, was a culturalsuperpower in Southeast Asia.

Angkor Watbuilt in the 12th Century byKing Suryavarman II; fusion of Khmerarchitecture and South Indian style;dedicated to Vishnu

Pura Bekasibuilt in the 14th Century; monstprominent Hindu temple in Bali

In mostly Muslim Indonesia, Bali is 93%Hindu.

III. ISLAM IN INDIAIslam Enters India712850: Muslim Raiders from Persia are stoppedby Rajputs9971030: Mahmud of Ghazni raided India anddestroyed looted temples12101526: The Delhi Sultanate and its variousdynasties implemented a monetary system, andrequired non-Muslims to pay jizyah

Hinduism:

Fundamental Beliefs:oComplete freedom of BeliefoBrahman is the Supreme being with

many manifestations

Society and Culture:oBhakti (devotion) can be personaloDeities are rendered through idolsoDuties and social status are ascribed

by caste

Government:oBrahmin and Kshatriya are seperate

Islam:

Fundamental Beliefs:oStrictly monotheistic

oThere is only one God (Allah) andMuhammad is His prophet

Society and Culture:oWorship is congregationaloGod has no face; no idols or imagesoSocial status is defined by birth;

duties are in the 5 pillars;

egalitarian Government:

oThe state is theocratic (ruled byGod)

Sikhism Founded by Guru Nanak in the last 15th

Century as a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam

He preached:1. The unity of God2. The brotherhood of man3. Te reflection of caste4. The futility of idol worship

The Mughals (1526 1707) Founded by Babur in 1526. Akbar the Great has one of the longest reigns

in history. (15431605)

Highlights of the Mughal Administrationduring the reign of Akbar:

1. Implemented the mansabdari systemwhere officials were paid salaries.

2. Appointed Hindus to positions ofpower, particularly as samindars (taxcollectors).

3. Abolished by the jizya.4. Not just tolerated other faiths, but

showed genuine interest in them.5. Had a personal approach to

government and would visit theprovinces personally.

Under Akbans rule, Mughal India was trulyan Indian empire.

Taj Mahalbuilt by Shah Jan and completedin 1648 for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Aurangzebs reign begins the decline ofIndia.

Aurangzeb was an orthodoz Muslim;reinstituted the jizyah and attempted toconquer the Deccan;; notorious for reversingthe gains under his predecessors.

Mughals aspired to make India a jewel in theEast. They accomplished it, but at greatexpense.

Trading towns in the coastal areas wereunchecked, local rulars were left to fend forthemselves, and a deep animosity began tobrew between Hindi and Muslim.

This left them ripe for the taking, anopportunity not to be missed by the British.