Classical Imperial India Expansion Collapse A The Mauryan

Classical Imperial India: Expansion & Collapse

A. The Mauryan Empire (324 B. C. E. – 184 B. C. E. ) 1. Agricultural & iron production 2. Mauryan Empire founded by Chandragupta -Kautilya: a Machiavellian Brahmin & advisor -wrote book of political statecraft -network of spies 3. Imperial government: government -large army -25% percent tax on all goods

5. most famous Mauryan emperor: Ashoka (r. 269– 232 B. C. E. ) - shaken by carnage in brutal war & converted to Buddhism - inscribed Buddhist policies throughout empire on rocks & pillars ( “rock edicts”) edicts” - built extensive roads

B. Commerce & Culture 1. The Mauryan empire collapsed in 184 B. C. E. due to: political fragmentation 2. Economic development: creation of guilds & merchants 3. Cultural developments: creation of epic Indian literature: – Ramayana – Bhagavad Gita

C. The Gupta Empire (320 C. E. – 550 C. E. ) 1. Gupta Empire conquered north & central India, lead by Chandra Gupta II -iron deposits, state monopolies, 25% agricultural tax 2. army controlled core of empire, but provincial administration left to governors (hereditary) 3. lack of military force created “theater-state” theater-state - redistributing wealth from trade & elaborate ceremonies

4. Achievements: - math & astronomy - invented our “Arabic” numerals - concept of “zero” - Chinese monk Faxian’s travel journal through Gupta India 5. Women’s rights: NO inheritance or property… treated like lowest varna - married very young - widow may be required to burn herself on her husband’s funeral pyre (sati) sati

6. dominated by Hinduism & classic form of Hindu temples 7. Gupta India linked by extensive trade networks 8. 550 C. E Gupta empire collapsed under rule of local princes & financial burden of defense against HUNS

Extensive Trade: 4 th c. Out of India: cotton, rice, wheat, & SPICES Into India: horses, gold, ivory, silk, & SPICES sp ic es rice & whea horses t vory i & gold ods o g on cott s silk ods o g on t t o c spices gold & ivory

500 healing plants identified 1000 diseases classified Printed medicinal guides Plastic Surgery Gupta Achievements Kalidasa Literature Medicine Inoculations C-sections performed Decimal System Gupta India Mathematics Concept of Zero PI = 3. 1416 Solar Calendar Astronomy The earth is round

ROMANS, HAN & GUPTA Economic Social Political

South East Asia 50 -1025 C. E.

A. Geography and Resources 1. Southeast Asia has three geographical zones: (1) the Indochina mainland, (2) the Malay Peninsula, and (3) the islands. Area influenced by China and India 2. Natural resources : fertile agricultural lands, dependable monsoon rains, and several growing seasons a year. Supports large dense population

B. Early Civilization 1. Early inhabitants practiced swidden (slash and burn) agriculture and domesticated important crops and animals, including rice, soybeans, sugar cane, chickens, and pigs. 2. Southeast Asia received waves of migrations of Malay peoples from southern China.

C. Migration 1. Malay migrations continued into the Pacific Islands and into the Indian Ocean. 2. Early Malay groups in Southeast Asia lived in small villages, manufactured bronze tools, and were organized in small political units.

3. The first large states S. E. Asia emerged due to strategic location for trade between Asia and India. Trade brought business and Hindu/Buddhist culture. 4. Funan: First major state to appear.

C. Srivijayan Kingdom 1. Located on Sumatra dominated new southern trade route through modern Malaysia and Indonesia. 2. Political system: Unites four different ecological zones and their local rulers under the authority of the Srivijayan king. Four zones were: (1) Core of Musi River, (2) the upland Sumatran interior (3) river ports (4) Fertile rice lands of central Java.

3. Kings kept control through a combination of military power, diplomacy, control of trade, and the techniques of theater-state. Kings though to have magical powers Patronized monasteries and schools.

4. Indian culture influenced Srivijayan concepts of kingship and government. Hinduism/ Buddhist became the dominant faiths of the region. Srivijayans borrowed from Indian civilization and adapted ideas to their own culture and needs.

D. Decline 5. Changes in trade routes led to the decline of Srivijaya in the eleventh century. The capital was destroyed in 1025 by the Chola kingdom.