Classical Indian Empires

Indo-Aryan Migration Theory

Part of an expansion into the Indus and Ganges in 1800-1500 BCE, brought Indian culture

Indo-Aryans Origins

Invaded India in 1500 BCE, nomadic and warrior people

Sanskrit

Language introduced by Indo-Aryans, related to English/Spanish/German

Jainism

Non-theistic faith based on five vows

Sikhism

Monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nano, belief in reincarnation and the three pillars

Indus River Valley Civilization

3000-1700 BCE, strong government

Vedic Period

1700-500 BCE, Indo-Aryans invaded, more centralized government, ended with Persian invasions in 550 BCE

Mauryan Empire

Founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 320 BCE, four provinces, 600,000 soldiers, single currency of silver/copper coins, collected taxes, expanded by Asoka

Gupta Empire

330-550 CE, united Indian subcontinent under one rule, golden age of India, advancements including the number 0, fell in 500 CE because of the Huns

Brahmins

Priests/Intellectuals

Kshatriya

Warriors and Rulers

Vaishyas

Merchants/Craftspeople/Landowners

Sudras

Laborers/Servants

Dalits

Fifth group starting around 500 CE, 'Impure jobs', called 'Untouchables'

Hinduism Origins

Brought by Indo-Aryans, based on The Vedas

Hinduism Beliefs

belief in henotheism, pantheism, reincarnation, karma, dharma, atman, moksha

Buddhism Origin

Founded by Siddhartha Gautam in Nepal

Buddhism Beliefs

non-theistic, rejection of the caste system, belief in dharma, karma, reincarnation, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, reaching nirvana

Confucianism

Chinese philosophy, teachings based on The Analects, loyalty, trustworthiness, respect for elders, education, no harsh punishments

Legalism

Chinese philosophy, focused on military, strict laws and punishments

Daoism/Taoism

Chinese philosophy, founded by Laozi, harmony with the universe, resisting change leads to sadness

Warring States Period

475-221 BCE, internal conflicts among nobles, led to the introduction of Chinese philosophies

Xia Dynasty

First dynasty with written records

Shang Dynasty

First dynasty with archaeological records, invented bronze for tools

Zhou Dynasty

King Wu overthrew Shang, Mandate of Heaven, conquered new territory and split the land, gave land to lords who gave it to farmers

Qin Dynasty

Emperor Shi Huangdi, legalist, strengthened central government, built the Great Wall, standardized writing, law, currency, measurements, mausoleum with Terracotta Army

Han Dynasty

Liu Bang, Confucianism, fought Xiongu Raiders, started Civil Service Bureaucracy, assimilation, controlled economy with monopolies, social hierarchy based on value to the community

Great Wall of China

Wall on the northern border of China, defended against Xiongu Raiders, protected merchants

Silk Road

Trade route during the Han Dynasty, traded silk, fur, glassware, exotic animals, grapes, horses, precious gemstones, imports from the West, and silk, spices, porcelain, cotton, bronze works, pottery, jade, imports from the East

Calligraphy

Decorative and beautiful handwriting

Figure Painting

Artwork of people

Jade

Gemstone often used to make jewelry and art

Lacquer

Type of tree sap that forms a protective coating on wood and metal

Logographs

Type of writing where symbols represent a word instead of a sound

Chinese Poetry

Fu and shi style poetry used to create long poems as stories

Terracotta Army

8,000 life-sized clay soldiers to protect Qin Shi Huangdi in his afterlife

The Analects

Written by Confucius' students, recorded conversations and lessons to spread Confucianism

Dao De Jing

Contains ideas about Daoism, may have been written by Laozi

The Shiji

Authored by Sima Qian, first recorded official history of early China