05 History of India 2013

The History of IndiaThe History of India

Lecture for SS2 Asian Studies, prepared by Martin Benedict Perez, PSHS Main CampusLecture for SS2 Asian Studies, prepared by Martin Benedict Perez, PSHS Main Campus

First Part in a Lecture on Empires

SY 2010/11

I. Preface: From Harappa to Buddha

II. The First EmpiresA. The Maurya: The roots of the Indian stateB. The Kushans: India at the center of the world

III. The Golden AgeA. The Gupta: Golden Age in the NorthB. The Cholans: Golden Age in the South

IV. Islam in IndiaA. The Mughals: The Age of Opulence

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATIONOUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATIONOUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATIONOUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

BASIC PERIODIZATIONBASIC PERIODIZATIONBASIC PERIODIZATIONBASIC PERIODIZATION

MAURYA

KUSHAN GUPTA CHOLAN MUGHAL

321 – 184 BCE

100 - 300

320 - 550

871 - 1279

1526 - 1707

History played out differently in the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the north and in the Deccan plateau to the south.

The north was open to foreign intrusion, and the south would play a larger role later on as maritime trade intensified.

SOUTH ASIASOUTH ASIASOUTH ASIASOUTH ASIA

SOUTH ASIASOUTH ASIASOUTH ASIASOUTH ASIA

1THE FIRST EMPIRESTHE FIRST EMPIRES

The Maurya and the Kushans

INDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGEINDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGEINDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGEINDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGE

Around 1500BCE, a foreign people – the Aryans – migrated into the Indus River Valley.

From 1000 to 500BCE, the Indo-Aryan populations moved further eastward into the rest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

INDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGEINDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGEINDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGEINDIA BY THE END OF THE AXIAL AGE

According to Vedic literature, sixteen ‘great realms’ emerged to compete for supremacy.

The power of the Kshatriya increased, and the rights of the common man diminished.

This was the political situation during the time of the Buddha.

The approximate extent of the Magadha state in the 5th century BCE.

THE MAURYA THE MAURYA (321 – 184 BCE)(321 – 184 BCE)THE MAURYA THE MAURYA (321 – 184 BCE)(321 – 184 BCE)

The Nanda Empire at its greatest extent under Dhana Nanda circa 323 BCE.


The Maurya Empire when it was first founded by Chandragupta Maurya circa 320 BCE, after conquering the Nanda Empire when he was only about 20 years old.


Chandragupta extended the borders of the Maurya Empire towards Seleucid Persia after defeating Seleucus circa 305 BCE.


Chandragupta extended the borders of the empire southward into the Deccan Plateau circa 300 BC.



Chanakya, the King Maker.“The Indian Machiavelli”

Chandragupta Maurya was schooled by Chanakya who wrote the

Arthashastra.

“In the happiness of his subjects lies the king's happiness, in their welfare his welfare. He shall not consider as good only that which pleases him but treat as beneficial to him whatever pleases his subjects.”

Kautilya also favors an autocratic welfare state, and believes that no kingdom can survive without a good and efficient economy.


The Arthashastra also talks about the Rajarishi as the ideal leader:

1.Has self-control, having conquered the inimical temptations of the senses;2.Cultivates the intellect by association with elders;3.Keeps his eyes open through spies;4.Is ever active in promoting the security & welfare of the people;5.Ensures the observance (by the people) of their dharma by authority & example;6.Improves his own discipline by (continuing his) learning in all branches of knowledge; and7.Endears himself to his people by enriching them & doing good to them.


THE FIRST EMPEROR OF INDIA

1.Established government bureaucracy2.Controlled economic activity in mines, forests, pearl fisheries, and salt fields.3.Operated farms, shipyards, and arsenals.4.Maintained a formidable military: 600,000 infantry; 30,000 cavalry; 9,000 elephants.5.Constructed and improvement of infrastructure such as roads and irrigation.6.Funded his works through a land tax (1/4 to 1/2 of crops produced).


Ashoka is most popularly known as the patron of Buddhism



“All people are my children, and just as I desire for my children

that they should obtain welfare and happiness, both in this world and the next, so do I desire

the same for all people.”


THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISMTHE SPREAD OF BUDDHISMTHE SPREAD OF BUDDHISMTHE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

Mahayana

Emphasizes faith and belief in the Buddha and the bodhisattva (future Buddha) as compassionate gods.

Mahayana Buddhists see nirvana as a place that can be won in the afterlife.

Though Mahayana Buddhism deviates from the original vision of the Buddha (“When you see the Buddha, kill the Buddha”), this has become the most popular form of Buddhism.


The Great Statue of Buddha The Great Statue of Buddha Amitabha in Kamakura, JapanAmitabha in Kamakura, Japan

Theravada(Doctrine of the Elders)Closest to the original vision of the Buddha, their focus is on individual salvation and the importance of monastic life.


Vajrayana(Diamond Vehicle or True Word Sect)Stresses the importance of a close relationship between a guru and disciples (symbolized by the Dalai Lama)

This is a rough timeline of the development of the different schools/traditions:

Timeline: Development and propagation of Buddhist traditions (ca. 450 BCE – ca. 1300 CE)

450 BCE[178] 250 BCE 100 CE 500 CE 700 CE 800 CE 1200 CE

[179]

India

Early Sangha

Early Buddhist schools

Mahayana Vajrayana

Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia

Theravada Buddhism

Central Asia Greco-Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism

Silk Road Buddhism

East Asia Chán, Tendai, Pure Land, Zen,

Nichiren

Shingon

450 BCE 250 BCE 100 CE 500 CE 700 CE 800 CE 1200 CE

Legend: = Theravada tradition = Mahayana traditions = Vajrayana traditions

AFTER THE MAURYAAFTER THE MAURYAAFTER THE MAURYAAFTER THE MAURYA

After the death of Ashoka, the Maurya lost their territories and north India dissolved into a number of smaller states ruled by local dynasties.

One kingdom in central South Asia, the Savatahana, established its own empire that would last for 400 years.

THE KUSHANS THE KUSHANS (100 – 300)(100 – 300)THE KUSHANS THE KUSHANS (100 – 300)(100 – 300)

Originating from Chinese Central Asia, the Kushans (also Yuezhi), built an empire supported by the Silk Road.

They had diplomatic ties with Rome, Persia, and Han China.

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

The spread of Buddhism also intensified.


Gandharan Art


Left: Carving that depicts Kushan robes

Above: Gold coins depicting Kanishka, the greatest king of the Kushans

Silk Routes, over-land and over-sea


2THE GOLDEN AGETHE GOLDEN AGE

The Gupta and the Cholans

THE GUPTA THE GUPTA (320 – 550)(320 – 550)THE GUPTA THE GUPTA (320 – 550)(320 – 550)


Nālandā (Hindi/Sanskrit/Pali: Nālandā (Hindi/Sanskrit/Pali: ना�लं�दा�ना�लं�दा�) is the name of an ancient center ) is the name of an ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India. The site of Nalanda is located in of higher learning in Bihar, India. The site of Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE.was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE.





The Ajanta Caves (Ajiṇṭhā leni; Marathi: The Ajanta Caves (Ajiṇṭhā leni; Marathi: अजिं�ठा� लं�णी�अजिं�ठा� लं�णी�) ) in Maharashtra, India are in Maharashtra, India are comprised of 31 rock-cut cave monuments comprised of 31 rock-cut cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BC. The which date from the 2nd century BC. The caves include paintings and sculptures caves include paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art Buddhist religious art





Key Cultural Advancements

1.Indian culture was crystallized. From architecture to poetry, expressions were very rich and detailed.2.Art forms were plentiful: the Panchatantra, the sanskrit drama, architecture, sculpture, and so on.3.The cults of Vishnu and Shiva became very popular.4.Buddhists patronized education, leading the Gupta to become the center of learning at that time.


THE CHOLANS THE CHOLANS (871 – 1279)(871 – 1279)THE CHOLANS THE CHOLANS (871 – 1279)(871 – 1279)


The Cholan is just one example of the many states and empires that occupied South India.

Nonetheless, it is perhaps the most prominent empire of the Tamil.

There have been mentions of the Cholans as early as 300BCE in the works of Asoka.

But it was during the 9th century that they achieved new heights as an empire. A tower of the Thanjavur temple

dedicated to Shiva


The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the oldest city in South India.



Madhura Meenakshi TempleMadhura Meenakshi Temple


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


Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat is a fusion of Khmer architecture and South Indian style. It is dedicated to Vishnu.


Built in the 14th century, Pura Bekasih is the most prominent Hindu temple in Bali. In mostly Muslim Indonesia, Bali is 93% Hindu.

3PART THREE

ISLAM IN INDIAISLAM IN INDIAThe Mughals

712 – 850: Muslim raiders from Persia are stopped by the Rajputs

997 – 1030: Mahmud of Ghazni raided India and destroyed and looted temples

1210 – 1526: The Delhi Sultanate and its various dynasties implemented a monetary system, and required non-Muslims to pay jizyah

ISLAM ENTERS INDIAISLAM ENTERS INDIAISLAM ENTERS INDIAISLAM ENTERS INDIA

HINDUISM ISLAM

Fundamental beliefs

Complete freedom of belief Strictly monotheistic;

Brahman is the supreme being with many manifestations

There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is His prophet

Society and culture

Bhakti (devotion) can be personal

Worship is congregational

Deities are rendered through idols

God has no face; no idols or images

Duties and social status are ascribed by caste

Social status is defined by birth; duties are in the 5 pillars; egalitarian

Government Brahmin and Kshatriya are separate

The state is theocratic (ruled by God)

ISLAM ENTERS INDIAISLAM ENTERS INDIAISLAM ENTERS INDIAISLAM ENTERS INDIA

Sikhism was 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. The refection of caste4. The futility of idol worship.

SIKHISMSIKHISMSIKHISMSIKHISM

Founded by Baburin 1526.

Akbar the Great has one of the longest reigns in history (1543 - 1605).

THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)

Highlights of Mughal administration during the reign of Akbar

1. Implemented the mansabdari system where officials were paid salaries.

2. Appointed Hindus to positions of power, particularly as zamindars (tax collectors).

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

interest in them.5. Had a personal approach to government and would visit

the provinces personally.

Under Akbar’s rule, Mughal India was a truly Indian empire.


Completed in 1648, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

1526 to 1707THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)THE MUGHALS (1526 – 1707)

Aurangzeb’s reign begins the decline of Mughal India.

He was an orthodox Muslim who reinstituted the jizyah and attempted to conquer the Deccan.

He is notorious for reversing the gains under his predecessors.


The Mughals aspired to make India a jewel in the East. They accomplished it, but at great expense.

Trading towns in the coastal areas were unchecked, local rulers were left to fend for themselves, and a deep animosity began to brew between Hindu and Muslim.

This left them ripe for the taking, an opportunity not to be missed by the British empire.


END OF THE PRESENTATION

05 History of India 2013

Documents

bcethe maurya empire

empiresthe maurya

patron of buddhismthe

bcethe nanda empire

bcethe arthashastra

empire southward

bodhisattva future buddha

north india