Unit 1: Ottomans, Mughals, Qing, and Tokugawa

Hinduism

The religion, or way of life, of the majority of people in India and Nepal. Roots were brought by the Aryan invaders.

Why Hinduism is different than most religions

It has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. This is why historians refer to it as “a family of religions” or “a way of life”.

Vedas

Most ancient religious texts (1200 BCE-200 CE) which define truth for Hindus. Introduced by the Aryans. Hindus believe that the texts were received by scholars directly from God.

Upanishads

One of the four compositions of the Veda texts that emphasize brahman.

Brahman

A Sanskrit word which refers to a transcendent power beyond the universe—everything.

Why Hindus are not “polytheistic”

The many deities are the infinite representations of Brahman, not separate gods.

Dharma

The power that maintains society—gives humans opportunity to be good.

Karma

The law that every action has an equal reaction either immediately or later in the future. Good karma = good stuff happens to you, bad karma = bad stuff.

Samsara

The process of reincarnation.

Moksha

The liberation from endless rebirth and to become one, gained by practicing a lifestyle prescribed by the dharma.

Fakirs

Itinerant holy men in Mughal empire.

Significance of weighing a prince

Because it’s a Hindu ritual, it shows religious tolerance and the wealth of the Mughal empire.

Indian trade items

Porcelain, silk, and other artisan items from China, and spices from India.

Gupta empire

The first empire that led India under one rule. Lasted about a century, native dynasty.

Mughal empire

Outsiders who conquered India for the second time ever and created an empire. One of the gunpowder empires.

Babur

First ruler of Mughal empire who invaded India from the north and made his way down. Sunni muslim.

Mughal Characteristics

• Technologically advanced with flourishing trade

• Centralized rule

• Religiously flexible

Akbar the Great (1556-1605)

Grandson of Babur who made the Mughal empire reach its peak.

Akbar’s Achievements in government/society

• certain percentage of officials were Hindu

• efficient bureaucracy

• tried abolishing sati (high caste women dying w/husband on pyre)

• conquered most of subcontinent except tip

Akbar’s Achievements in Religion

• Religiously tolerant

• tried creating new Muslim-Hindu “fusion” religion

• married Hindu princess

• rescinded tax on non-Muslims (jizya)

• invited the Jesuits to court

• Open mind

Akbar’s Achievements in Arts

• made royal library w/lots of different languages

• invited scholars, artists and intellectuals to court

• patron of arts and poetry

• Book of Hamza

• Persian influence (official court language)

Shah Jahan

Akbar’s grandson, created the Taj Mahal (mausoleum for his wife).

Jahangir

Akbar’s son. Along with his son Shah Jahan, he helped create groups of artists in the court and loved poetry so much it became a super important hobby.

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)

Militant Muslim who forced thousands to convert against their will. Made the sikhs rebellious when he beheaded their guru (leader).

What does the Sikh rebellion show?

The obstacles the Mughal empire faced to suppress certain communities.

Themes in Chinese History

• Orderliness

• Family = center of life

• Confucianism

• Northern Nomads

• Emperor rules over empire

• Bureaucracy to control large land mass

• Agriculturally-based society

• Belief in own superiority

Orderliness

If stars move in orderly pattern, then terrestrial life and society should be orderly too.

Dynastic Cycle

Political theory to explain rise and fall of Chinese dynasties.

1. new leader & dynasty

2. prosperity and power

3. decline

4. rebellion (loss of Mandate of Heaven)

Then it loops.

Mandate of Heaven

The Chinese emperor is given the right to rule by Heaven.

Family = center of life

Family is above all, do things for the good of the family. Pray to ancestors (veneration) and oldest male was leader of family—made decisions, girls at bottom of hierarchy.

Veneration

Worship of ancestors for guidance. Many had altars in their homes.

Filial Piety

Respect and honor for elders.

Confucius

The creator of Confucianism, a moral framework that brought order to society.

Confucianism Beliefs

Encouraged loyalty, trustworthiness, and respect your elders. You can attain these through education and living respectful and ethical lives.

Civil Service Exam

An exam that tests people on Confucianism. It was the backbone of education and gave people an opportunity to enter government service.

Confucianism social order

5 key relationships which were unequal but worked well. Figure with more power gave advice to the other with less power.

Northern Nomad Invasions

Northern nomads kept on invading, so the Chinese rulers decided to give them tribute to stop invading. Also built the Great Wall.