revolution in religion and philosophy in the civilizations in India and China

revolution in religion and philosophy in the civilizations in India and China

India - India for most of its time was under the rule of imperial powers. There was the Mauryan Dynasty (324BC-183BC), Gupta rulers, and the Nomadic invasion. Under the rule of Ashoka, Mauryan rule followed the characteristic of the imperial pattern of dividing territory into provinces and use of a strong military. With the death of Ashoka the empire collapsed and a new one came to be. Under the imperial army, they created the Gupta rule (320AD- circa 500AD). Due to the Nomadic invasions during the fifth century brought the end to the Gupta empire.

China- Chinese Dynastic cycle began with Zhou dynasty (1122BC-256BC) which was based on feudal rule. Next was the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC) which oversaw the unification of China under a legalist philosophy and rejection of Confucianism. Qin Shiguangdi a harsh and skillful ruler created a strong central bureaucracy in China. He created a strong centralized imperial rule and introduced civil service exams as entry tests for government jobs. Anyone who could pass civil service exams were chosen to serve in the bureaucracy. Government should be made of the most qualified to govern Spread.

Social:

India- They created a caste sytem made up of four main castes. Brahmins (Priests), Kshatriyas (Warriors/political rulers), Vaishyas (commoners, farmers, artisans), and Shudras (servants, serfs). Another class was also created, it was called the untouchable class which is males superior to females. There was also the Growth of Hinduism and Buddhism, which provided the means for social control. Also conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism not only influenced his policies but social stratification which intensified the caste system. Buddhism originated in India during the sixth century BC with ideas of Siddhartha Gautama. Gautama abandoned is noble life and went in search of an answer to human suffering. He learned to meditate and create the middle way. After his death, his followers created the Theravada and Mahayana and...

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