HIST 1111 Dr. Timothy May
1
Ancient and Classical India
History 1111
Dr. Timothy May
I. Age of Brahman Dominance
a. Kingdoms of the Ganges
i. Aryans founded small states
ii. based on sedentary agriculture and livestock breeding
iii. ruled by warrior councils Brahmans dominated religion
iv. Endemic warfare kept Brahman power in check.
b. Sources of Brahman Power
i. Brahmans
ii. only literate group
iii. dominated bureaucracy and administration
iv. Perform rituals
v. able to mediate between gods and humans.
c. Social Change
i. Merchants and artisan groups or caste emerged
ii. growth of towns around capitals
iii. river bank based commerce and manufacturing centers
d. Caste System
i. Social system of Aryans altered.
1. new divisions existed
2. Varnas
3. jati
4. Hierarchical system
a. Brahman, warrior, merchants high up.
b. Peasants and artisans lower.
c. Untouchables
5. Only the top three varnas allowed/could read the Vedas.
ii. Enforcing Social Divisions
1. Castes could rise and fall in status.
2. Caste was permanent.
3. System was believed to be of divine origin
a. Hinduism and the divine
b. dharma
c. Transmigration of souls & reincarnation
d. explained individual status.
e. karma
II. Rise of Buddhism
a. Making of Buddha
i. Born in 6th century BCE. Near Himalayas
ii. Powers of Brahman and kings limited there.
iii. Member of ruling class.
iv. Wandering ascetic.
1. Meditation
