Lecture for SS2 Asian Studies, Prepared by Martin Benedict Perez, PSHS Main Campus I

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Lecture for SS2 Asian Studies, Prepared by Martin Benedict Perez, PSHS Main Campus I Lecture for SS2 Asian Studies, prepared by Martin Benedict Perez, PSHS Main Campus 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 321 – 184 BCE 320 - 550 100 - 300 1526 - 1707 871 - 1279 MAURYA KUSHAN GUPTA CHOLAN MUGHAL 500BCE 500 1 1000 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. The Maurya and the Kushans 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. 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 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; and 7. Endears himself to his people by enriching them & doing good to them. 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 improved 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.” 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. 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) 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. 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 The Gupta and the Cholans 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 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. 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. .
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