Classical China and India

1
Classical China and India

• An Overview

2
Major Dynasties

• India
• Mauryan 322 to 298 BCE
• Gupta 319 to 535 CE

• China
• Zhou 1029 to 258 BCE
• Qin 221 to 202 BCE
• Han 202 BCE to 220 CE

3
Political Institutions

• India
• Generally regional rule
• Mauryan depended on military
• Gupta more uniform, but still regional rule

• China
• Zhou focused on local rule
• Qin strong central authority
• Han strong bureaucracy

4
Religion and Culture

• India
• Hinduism and Buddhism
• Scientific inquiry

• China
• During Zhou harmonious earthly life, gods
• Confucianism and Daoism
• Legalism in Qin and Han
• Authoritarian

5
Confucianism and Daoism

• Confucianism
• Personal Virtue
• Social Order
• Ethics system
• Obedience and respect

• Daoism
• Harmony and mystery of nature
• Divine impulse controls life

Though Confucians and Daoists disagreed, one did
not try to change the views of the other. The
two were politically compatible.
6
Hinduism and Buddhism

• Hinduism
• United India
• Tolerant
• Several approaches
• Prayer important

• Buddhism
• Denounced Hindu caste system
• Stressed self-control
• Monks taught by example

7
Hierarchy

• China
• Large division between upper and lower classes
• 3 main groups
• Bureaucrats/Aristocracy
• Peasants/Artisans
• Mean People
• Women, though subordinate, had clear roles

• India
• Well-defined caste system
• Patriarchal Family
• Stressed male control
• Also saw womens contributions

8
Economy

• China
• Trade very important
• Mostly luxuries
• Some food
• Agriculture
• Mining, textiles, pottery

• India
• Rivaled China
• Steel, iron making, textiles
• More emphasis on trade
• Merchants higher status
• Agricultural base