520 likes | 740 Views
India. Classical Time Period. 1000 BCE-500 CE. Politics. Mauryan dynasty– Chandragupta, Ashoka Ashoka - brutal and ruthless, expanded empire, promoted Buddhism Gupta Empire– political stability, “golden age” Regionalism, political diversity Autocratic kings and emperors throughout
E N D
Classical Time Period 1000 BCE-500 CE
Politics • Mauryan dynasty– Chandragupta, Ashoka • Ashoka- brutal and ruthless, expanded empire, promoted Buddhism • Gupta Empire– political stability, “golden age” • Regionalism, political diversity • Autocratic kings and emperors throughout • Decentralized • Caste system promoted public order like a government would
Economy • Taxation system under Guptas • Vigorous economy– lots of manufacturing • Based in agriculture • Emphasis on trade and merchants • Trade hub • Ivory, steel, spices, cotton, dyes (indigo)
Religion • Hinduism– polytheistic, founded by the Aryan people • Reincarnation, karma, dharma, caste system, yoga • Buddhism– by Siddhartha Gautama, reform movement of Hinduism • Reincarnation, karma, dharma, removal of caste system, nirvana, yoga
Culture • Epic poems– Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Upanishads • Caste system • Patriarchy in families • Advanced in science (astronomy, medical findings) and mathematics (negatives, numbering system, zero, decimal system, etc.) • Art with religious and natural themes • Sati • One of world’s first universities
Interactions • Maritime trade • Indian Ocean • Mediterranean • Middle East, North Africa, Europe • Trade hub • Trade with China • Buddhism, art • Indian culture spread to SE Asia • Indian merchants married into local royal families • Art, architecture, religion
Comparisons River Valley Civilizations Classical Period Polytheistic Distinctive writing forms Trade Advanced technology Regional kingdoms
Continuities • Polytheistic religion • Agricultural economy • Many regional kingdoms
Changes • Various polytheistic/animistic religions→ emergence of Hinduism as predominant religion along with caste system for social order • Indigenous peoples→ arrival of the Indo-European Aryans into the Indian subcontinent
Postclassical Time Period 500-1450
Politics • Periodic disruptions by nomadic groups • Regional kingdoms • Umayyad, later Abbasid control of northern India • Delhi Sultanate • Capital at Delhi
Economy • Internal and external trade • Tax on non-Muslims • Agriculture based
Religion • Islam began to secure a place in India • Some Indians convert for social status • Sufis— most effective missionaries, allowed followers to observe old traditions • Bhaktic cults emerged as a Hindu revival against Islam
Culture • Islam– egalitarian; Hinduism– caste hierarchy • Social divisions between Hindus and Muslims • Muslims adopted Indian food, clothing, customs (ex. sati) • Started becoming socially divided by caste
Interactions • Arabs brought Indian learning and technology back to Middle East • Numbering system, algebra, geometry, medicine, stories, games (chess)
Comparisons Classical Period Postclassical Period caste system trade agriculture regional kingdoms
Continuities • Hinduism as predominant religion • Agricultural economy • Caste system • Regional kingdoms • Advanced Indian learning and technology • Patriarchal families • Trade
Changes • Only distinctive Indian religions present (Hinduism, Buddhism) → Islam introduced
Early Modern Time Period 1450-1750
Politics • Mughal Empire • Akbar– greatest ruler • Gave Hindus high gov’t roles • Integrated Hindus and Muslims in gov’t • Large, undisciplined armies • Warrior aristocracy
Economy • Dependent on agriculture, trade, etc. • Textile manufacturing– cotton • Trade destination for Europeans • Akbar– no tax (jizya) on Hindus • Reinstated by Aurangzeb
Religion • Akbar created religion unsuccessfully to unite Muslims and Hindus • Din-i-Ilahi • New sects such as Sikhism– anti-Muslim • Jizya off Hindus
Culture • Akbar, Shah Jahan, & Jahangir patronized the arts • TajMahal– Shah Jahan • Blend of Persian and Hindu architecture • Akbar tried to increase position of women– basis of many reforms • Shah Jahan & Jahangir had influential wives– gender roles • Women’s status declined in 2nd half of Mughal Empire
Interactions • Trade destination for Europeans • Delhi, Agra, Lahore • Most trade with Asia, some with Persia • Manufacturing • Slave trade with east Africa • Asian sea trading network
Comparisons Postclassical Period Early Modern Period Agricultural economy Patriarchy Caste system Regional kingdoms Muslim rule
Continuities • Hinduism as predominant religion • Islam in India • Muslim rule • Agricultural economy • Regional kingdoms • Textile manufacturing • Caste system • Trade • Patriarchy
Changes • Low status for women→ improved under Akbar • Barriers between Hindus and Muslims→ both groups integrated into the same gov’t
Industrial Age 1750-1914
Politics • British East India Company • Battle of Plassey– British won control of Bengal • Sepoys • 3 presidencies– Madras, Calcutta, & Bombay • British Raj
Economy • Britain needed India to facilitate industrialization • Capital, raw materials, market • Textile (cotton), silk, spice industries • Agriculture • Railway system built • Trade controlled by British • Major source of revenue for British gov’t • Economically dependent on Britain
Religion • Initially British didn’t attempt to convert Indian to Christianity • Divided country based on religion– Muslims and Hindus • Sati outlawed • Hinduism as a majority religion
Culture • Early on, British adopted some Indian ways– rejected later • Social systems initially left as they were • White racial supremacy– racial discrimination • Wide range of reforms in early 19th century • Outlawed sati • English education • Transmitted Western technology, ideas, inventions, etc.
Interactions • Trade controlled by British • Exclusive trade with British East India Company • British used Indian goods for industrialization • Dependent on British • British tried to remake India along Western lines • Raw materials exported to Britain, finished goods shipped back
Comparisons Early Modern Period Industrial Age Hinduism Agricultural economy Trade Patriarchy manufacturing
Continuities • Hinduism as predominant religion • Islam • Agricultural economy • Caste system • Trade • Patriarchy • Manufacturing
Changes • Decentralized rule by regional kingdoms→ centralized rule by British • Muslim cultural influences→ Western cultural influences • Indian control of Indian trade→ British control of Indian trade • Economically independent→ economically dependent (on Britain)
Modern Time Period 1914-Present
Politics • National Congress Party • Gandhi– nonviolent protests • August 1947—gained independence from British rule • Separate Muslim states created in NW and east • Secular democracy after independence
Economy • Much of India’s budget went to cover the expenses of wars of the British armies • Decline in food production (due to production of cash crops) caused regional famines • Drop in wages and rise in prices • Agriculture • Rapid growth of middle class
Religion • Some leaders supported establishment of Hinduism as state religion, ignoring Muslims • After independence, vicious Hindu-Muslim and Muslim-Sikh rioting • Much religious conflict • Persistence of Hinduism as the majority religion
Culture • Female politicians– Indira Gandhi • Little status/rights for women nevertheless • Indian film industry– Bollywood • High-tech sectors • Many traditional values still in place
Interactions • Ruled by British • British Raj • Ideas of nonviolence from previous experiences in South Africa • Western influences
Comparisons Industrial Age Modern Times Trade Hinduism Caste system Agriculture Western cultural influences