Classical+India


 * Economic Comparison of Han China & Classical India: [[file:economic comparison of china & india]]
 * ESPIRIT on Classical India: [[file:india espirit.doc]]
 * Key Terms


 * Aryans || invaded and destroyed Indus River civilization, settled, moved to Ganges River. ||
 * Ashoka || Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, conquered Indian sub-continent, converted to Buddhism and sponsored its spread throughout his empire ||
 * Gupta || Empire that lasted from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian sub-continent ||
 * Caste system || division of society into four castes (Brahman at the top) arranged in a hierarchy, with the "Untouchable" (outcasts below everyone else. No social mobility, only possible through re-incarnation. ||
 * Hinduism || encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary by culture, as well as many diverse beliefs and sects. The estimates of Hinduism's origin vary from 3102 BCE to 1300 BCE, and it is generally regarded as the world's oldest major religion. ||
 * Sanskirt || Sacred & classical Indian language ||
 * Upanishads || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">philosophical texts of Hinduism ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Dharma || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Caste position determined by birth. This had to be accepted & in order to be reincarnated into a better position one had to perform to the best of their abilities. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Buddhism || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama. Originating in India, Buddhism gradually spread throughout Asia to Central Asia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Southeast Asia, as well as the East Asian countries of China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Tamils || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Seafaring Indians from the south who made fortunes with maritime internation trade of drugs, slaves, and gold ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Chandragupta Maurya || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Founder of Maurya dynasty, established first givernment in Indian sub-continent and first central gov’t since Harrapan civilization ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Gurus || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Brahman teachers at Gupta imperial court ||
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Bhagavad Gita || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Sacred texts of Hinduism ||

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> India Summary <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Classical India was a civilization focused on extensive internal and overseas trade, but because of its intense focus on religion it was never a political superpower. India had no centralized government and instead relied on reigional lords who definied their own laws. India had a strict caste system with no social mobility or inter-caste marriage. Brahamans were at the top of the social ladder and the "untouchables" at the bottom. The religions of India were Buddhism and Hinduism. Buddhism called for an elimination of the caste system and materialism, while Hinduism promoted both. Through trade (especially on the Silk Road) and missionary work, Indian ideas and culture were spread throughout the world.