Classical+India

3.1 - ESPIRIT Chart: India 3.2 - Key Terms

__Summary of India:__ Classical India emerged in around 4th B.C.E after the Aryan invasions and the rise of the **Mauryan** period began. The development of India was very different from many of its neighboring countries which in turn brought different influential impacts on the world. India contributed many cultural and religious impacts on the world. **Hinduism** and **Buddhism** were the two major religions in India. Religion shaped the government in religion, for example, **Brahmans** and **Guptas**. Religion was extremely important in India. For example, priests were put on the higher tier of the **caste system** with warriors, which regulated social classes in classical India. They influenced the government rule with their thoughts and ideas and matched the status of warriors. The caste system immobilized movement around the different classes. India had an extensive international trading system, due in fact to it's convenient trading location in the **Arab and China zones**. India's trade was very extensive in their international trading. **The Silk Road** is an example, as it supported the Indian trade as it connected areas such as the Middle East to China. Though India flourished culturally and religiously, the politics of India faltered in comparison. India did not have a standardized language, although **sanskirt** was promoted. India's government was of regional rule, there was a set **uniform law code** enforced by aristocrats and nobles within the region. Though politics wise, India was not strong, the cultural and religious aspect of India held a powerful standing of its own. India's religion and culture would spread to other countries as well and Indian arts such as the complex structural temples would remain as the religions which developed. These aspects of Classical India remain in modern day proving the intense impacts India would make.