The History of India

First Part in a Lecture on Empires

Lecture for SS2 Asian Studies, prepared by Martin Benedict Perez, PSHS Main Campus SY 2010/11

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

I. Preface: From Harappa to Buddha

II. The First Empires A. The Maurya: The roots of the Indian state B. The Kushans: India at the center of the world

III. The Golden Age A. The Gupta: Golden Age in the North B. The Cholans: Golden Age in the South
IV. Islam in India A. The Mughals: The Age of Opulence

BASIC PERIODIZATION

321 184 BCE 100 - 300

320 - 550 1526 - 1707

871 - 1279
MAURYA KUSHAN GUPTA

CHOLAN

MUGHAL

500BCE 1

500 1000

SOUTH ASIA
History played out differently in the IndoGangetic 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 ASIA

THE FIRST EMPIRES

The Maurya and the Kushans

INDIA 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 IndoGangetic Plain.

INDIA 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 MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

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

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

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

THE MAURYA (321 184 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.

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

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

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

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

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

Chanakya, the King Maker. The Indian Machiavelli

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

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 MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

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; and 7. Endears himself to his people by enriching them & doing good to them.

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

THE FIRST EMPEROR OF INDIA
1. Established government bureaucracy 2. 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).

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

Ashoka is most
popularly known as the patron of Buddhism

THE MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

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 MAURYA (321 184 BCE)

STUPA (from Sanskrit: m., , stpa, Pli: "thpa", literally meaning "heap") is a

ound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by uddhists as a place of worship. The Great Stupa at Sanchi, India,established by Ashoka the eat (4th1st century BC).

Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, northeastern India is the olde Stupa in existence.

THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

THE 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 Amitabha in Kamakura, Japan

THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

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
Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia

Early Sangha

Early Buddhist schools Theravada Buddhism

Greco-Buddhism Silk Road Buddhism

Mahayana

Vajrayana

Central Asia East Asia

450 BCE 250 BCE

Tibetan Buddhism
Shingon

Chn, Tendai, Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren

100 CE 500 CE 700 CE 800 CE

1200 CE

Legend:

= Theravada tradition

= Mahayana traditions

= Vajrayana traditions

AFTER 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 (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.

THE KUSHANS (100 300)

Gandharan Art

THE KUSHANS (100 300)

Left: Carving that depicts Kushan robes Above: Gold coins depicting Kanishka, the greatest king of the Kushans

THE KUSHANS (100 300)

Silk Routes, over-land and over-sea

THE GOLDEN AGE

The Gupta and the Cholans

THE GUPTA (320 550)

THE GUPTA (320 550)

Nland (Hindi/Sanskrit/Pali: ) is the name of an ancient center 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 was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE

THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

THE GUPTA (320 550)

THE GUPTA (320 550)

THE GUPTA (320 550)

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

THE GUPTA (320 550)

THE GUPTA (320 550)

THE GUPTA (320 550)

THE GUPTA (320 550)

THE GUPTA (320 550)

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 (871 1279)

THE CHOLANS (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 CHOLANS (871 1279)

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

THE CHOLANS (871 1279)

THE CHOLANS (871 1279)

Madhura Meenakshi Temple

THE CHOLANS (871 1279)

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

THE CHOLANS (871 1279)

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.

THE CHOLANS (871 1279)

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

PART THREE

ISLAM IN INDIA
The Mughals

ISLAM ENTERS INDIA

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 INDIA

HINDUISM
Fundamental beliefs Brahman is the supreme being with many manifestations
Bhakti (devotion) can be personal Society and culture Deities are rendered through idols

ISLAM
There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is His prophet Worship is congregational God has no face; no idols or images

Complete freedom of belief Strictly monotheistic;

Duties and social status are Social status is defined by ascribed by caste birth; duties are in the 5 pillars; egalitarian Government Brahmin and Kshatriya are separate The state is theocratic (ruled by God)

SIKHISM
Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak in the last 15th century as a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam.
He preached:

1. 2. 3. 4.

The unity of God The brotherhood of man The refection of caste 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 (1543 - 1605).

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 Akbars rule, Mughal India was a truly Indian empire.

THE MUGHALS (1526 1707)

1526 to 1707

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

THE MUGHALS (1526 1707)

Aurangzebs 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 (1526 1707)

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