DeMott's+Place

BENTLEY Chapter 9 State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India p. 207 -India: Earliest Description from Greek ambassador Megasthenes (part of the Seceucid emperor). (late 4th /early 3rd century BCE)

-Megasthenes account of India included fantastical accounts of giant humans, ants that mined gold, and dog headed giants.

-But also included vital information such as: India as fertile land supporting 2 harvests a year Description of capital Pataliputra and its immense rectangular fortification 570 towers, massive timber walls, moat, 64 gates Large armies including use of war elephants Caste System (he incorrectly identified 7 separate, not 4, castes) Noted two main schools of thought: namely the “philosophies” of Hinduism and Buddhism Described Ascetic lifestyle and vegetarianism

-This time period (500 BCE –c. 200 BCE) described among the most vibrant and influential ages of all times…in China, in Persia, in India, in Southeastern Europe Features of the age include: Well-defined social structures The growth of new religions The start of Imperialism (esp. in China and Persia/not so well in India) p. 208 India marks itself separate as it often consisted of a group of regional kingdoms rather than a centralized empire like its neighbours.

THE FORTUNES OF EMPIRE IN CLASSICAL INDIA

Aryans migrate in around 1500 BCE, resulting in numerous small kingdoms Constant fighting through the ages result in weaker states being absorbed into stronger states By 6th Century BCE wars of expansion resulted in regional kingdoms. War continued b/c no one kingdom was able to establish hegemony over the next.

By 320 BCE Mauryan (followed by the Gupta) established centralized governments which DID NOT have centralized rule as a lasting effect on Indian political life.

Mauryan’s Temporary Unification of India 520 BCE Darius (Persia) defeats portions of India known as Punjab district (turning it into Gandhara)…introduced Persian administration and centralization into district (known as the Achaemenid authority).

Persian’s did not make a deep impression due to Alexander’s death and Persia’s quick retreat. Creation of a political vacuum

Magadha Kingdom becomes strongest, fills the vacuum.

320 BCE Chandragupta Maurya creates first unified state of India -seizes control of small regional kingdoms -seizes control of Punjab -conquers Greek state of Bactria north of Indus River (Bactria was a result of Alexander’s conquest…and the creation of the Seleucid era in this region) RESULT: Kingdom stretched from Indus and Ganges

Advisor Kautalya and creation of Arthashastra (a manual for ruling) solidifies centralized rule. -trade and agriculture under watchful eye of the government -taxation -maintaining order -conducting foreign relations -waging war “Like the emperors of Persia and China, Chadragupta Maurya and Kautalya built a bureaucratic administrative system that enabled them to implement policies throughout the state”

Legend states Chandragupta abdicated the throne to become a monk and led such an ascetic life that he starved himself to death. Son takes over in 297 BCE Added southern India to empire Grandson Ashoka takes over afterwards (Greatest influence of all ancient rulers)

Hegemony

Balance of Power

Edict

taxila

Chandra Gupta 287 Cross Cultural Exchanges on the Silk Roads