IASbaba ILP 2018 Ancient History Part 3 PDF

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2018

INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMME, ILP 2018

IASbaba

ANCIENT HISTORY-PART III Integrated Learning Programme 2018 is a step towards ‘Enabling a person located at the most remote destination a chance at cracking AIR 1 in UPSC/IAS’

Contents JAINISM AND BUDDHISM ............................................................................................................................ 4 Causes of Origin ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Vardhamana Mahavira and Jainism.......................................................................................................... 6 Jainism................................................................................................................................................... 6 Doctrines of Jainism .................................................................................................................................. 9 Philosophy........................................................................................................................................... 10 Jainism on Varna System .................................................................................................................... 12 Spread of Jainism .................................................................................................................................... 12 Spread in southern part ...................................................................................................................... 12 Spread in other parts .......................................................................................................................... 13 Contribution of Jainism ........................................................................................................................... 13 In Prakrit language .............................................................................................................................. 13 In other languages .............................................................................................................................. 14 Worshipping ........................................................................................................................................ 14 Do You Know? ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Gautama Buddha and Buddhism ............................................................................................................ 16 Sources ................................................................................................................................................ 16 Doctrines of Buddhism........................................................................................................................ 18 Teachings and Principles ..................................................................................................................... 19 Famous Buddhist Councils .................................................................................................................. 21 Influence of Buddhism ........................................................................................................................ 21 Importance of Buddhism in India........................................................................................................ 22 Gandhara Art....................................................................................................................................... 24 Buddhist Sangha.................................................................................................................................. 25 Decline of Buddhism ........................................................................................................................... 26 Do You Know? ......................................................................................................................................... 26

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Buddism and Jainism- Comparative Study.................................................................................................. 28 GUPTA PERIOD ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 31 Chandragupta I (AD 319 - 334) ............................................................................................................... 34 Samudragupta (A.D. 335-380) ................................................................................................................ 34 Chandragupta II: (380 – 415 AD)............................................................................................................. 38 Kumaragupta........................................................................................................................................... 41 Skandgupta ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Gupta Administration ............................................................................................................................. 41 Army .................................................................................................................................................... 42 Taxation system .................................................................................................................................. 42 Judicial system .................................................................................................................................... 42 Bureaucracy ........................................................................................................................................ 43 Provincial and Local administration .................................................................................................... 43 Economy.................................................................................................................................................. 45 Social Developments............................................................................................................................... 46 Caste System ....................................................................................................................................... 46 Family System ..................................................................................................................................... 46 Position of Women under Gupta Empire............................................................................................ 47 Buddhism and Bhagvatism...................................................................................................................... 47 Literature ................................................................................................................................................48 Religious Literature ............................................................................................................................. 48 Dramas ................................................................................................................................................ 51 Scientific Literature ............................................................................................................................. 53 Art ........................................................................................................................................................... 54 Architecture ............................................................................................................................................ 56 Sanchi’s Temple .................................................................................................................................. 59 Dasavtar Temple ................................................................................................................................. 59 Paintings During Gupta Period................................................................................................................ 60

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Decline of Gupta Empire ......................................................................................................................... 61 Reasons of decline .............................................................................................................................. 61 Do You Know? ............................................................................................................................................. 62 HARSHA AND HIS TIMES ............................................................................................................................ 63 Harsha Kingdom ...................................................................................................................................... 63 Administration ........................................................................................................................................ 65 Huen Tsang ............................................................................................................................................. 66 FORMATION OF NEW STATES AND RURAL EXPANSION IN THE PENINSULA ........................................... 67 The New Phase........................................................................................................................................ 67 Vakatakas ................................................................................................................................................ 68 Chalukyas ................................................................................................................................................ 69 Rashtrakutas ........................................................................................................................................... 70 Ikshavakus ............................................................................................................................................... 71 Pallavas ................................................................................................................................................... 71 Mahendravarman I ............................................................................................................................. 72 Narasimhavarman I ............................................................................................................................. 72 Paramesvarvarman I ........................................................................................................................... 72 Nandivarman II (730-800) ................................................................................................................... 72 Aparajita .............................................................................................................................................. 73 Administration ....................................................................................................................................73 Social Order......................................................................................................................................... 73 Art and Architecture ............................................................................................................................... 73 Pallavas................................................................................................................................................ 73 Chalukyas ............................................................................................................................................ 75 Rashtrakutas ....................................................................................................................................... 78 Rural Expansion....................................................................................................................................... 78 Social Structure ....................................................................................................................................... 78

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JAINISM AND BUDDHISM    

During the second half of the 6th century B.C. number of sects arose in Gangetic plains. It is said that about 62 religions existed in that period. Most of these were based on regional customs and rituals. Jainism and Buddhism were the most important among them and emerged as most potent religious reform movements.

(Note: Ajivika Sect did not have any followers after 14th C AD.)

Causes of Origin Domination of priestly class 

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We have read about Varna system in the previous parts. Brahmans claimed highest status in society. They demanded several privileges, including those of receiving gifts and exemption from taxation and punishment. All the other three Varnas never liked the Brahman’s domination. But it was Kshatriyas who reacted strongly against the ritualistic domination of the Brahmans. Mahavira, founder of the Jainism and Gautam Buddha, founder of the Buddhism belonged to the Kshatriya clan and both disputed the authority of the Brahmanas.

Loss of cattle wealth     

This was the most important reason for the rise of new religions. In the 6th century B.C. the use of the iron axes enabled people to clear forest and a new agriculture economy started which was based on the use of ploughshare. But use of iron ploughshare required use of bullocks and cattle. Without animal husbandry, agriculture could not flourish. As most of the cattle and bullocks were sacrificed in rituals, peasants were not able to produce surplus. There was resentment in agricultural class against rituals and priestly class. Buddhism and Jainism were according to their aspirations and also they condemned the rituals and sacrifices.

Vaishya class’ want of improvement in their status  

In eastern part of India number of cities started emerging. For example - Kaushambi, Kusinagar, Banaras, Vaishali, Chirand and Rajgir. (see map)

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Traders and artisans started emerging from these cities and also started using coins during 5th century B.C. They were the earliest coins and are called as punch marked coins. Because of the trading the importance of Vaishya increased. They now wanted to improve their positions and started looking for a new religion which could do this. The merchants gave handsome gifts to Gautama Buddha and his disciples. Reasons for this was – o In initial stages Jainism and Buddhism not attached any importance to the existing Varna system.

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o Both preached gospel of violence which would put end to wars and as a result will increase the trade and commerce. o Brahmanical texts like Dharmasutras decried the lending money on interests. Return to primitive life     

The old people didn’t like the accumulation of coins (made of gold, silver etc.), new dwellings and dresses, new system of transport, war and violence. The new forms of property created social inequalities and caused misery and suffering to the masses. So, the common people wanted to go back to their simple life. And this opportunity was provided to them by Jainism and Buddhism. The philosophy of Jainism and Buddhism allowed only that much which was sufficient for living. In other words, there was reaction against changes in material life in north eastern India in 6th century B.C. similar to reaction by man when machines were invented. (It is the nature of human to oppose the change. It’s never easy to adopt to change)

Vardhamana Mahavira and Jainism Jainism

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Jainism believed in 24 Tirthankara or great teachers or leaders of their religion 1st Tirthankara – Risabhdeva (born in Ayodhya) o He laid foundations of orderly human society Historical records of only last two Tirthankaras are found – Parsavnath (23rd) and Vardhaman Mahavir (24th)

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Parsavnath ji:   

Parsavnath was the 23rd Tirthankar. He was born at Kashi (Banaras). Historically he was separated from Vardhaman by 250 years. His followers were called Nirgranthis (Free from all bonds).

Vardhaman Mahavira: 

Vardhaman is believed to the real founder of the modern Jainism. His followers are called Jains. He was later known as ‘MAHAVIRA’.

Biography of Vardhaman: Vardhaman himself was born to Nirgranthi parents (Followers of Parsavnath). The information about his life is received from Jain texts – Purvas, Angas and Upangas, written in 4th – 6th C AD in Prakrit language. Prakrit was the language of the masses while Sanskrit was the language of the elite class. Other source is the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharvela (Odisha) in 1st C BC. It is one of the oldest cave temple found in India. It is presented in Kavya style, and in the language Brahmi, which is very much like Pali. The Hathigumpha Inscription is like the history of Kharavela as a king, a conqueror, a patron of culture and a champion of Jainism. Relation

Name

Father

Siddharth

Mother

Trishala

Clan

Janantrika

Caste

Kshatriya

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Wife

Yashoda

Daughter

Priyadarshika

Son In law

Jamali (First disciple of Vardhman)

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Born – 540 B.C. Place – Kundagram (now Basokund) near Vaisali in Bihar. Father – Siddhartha (head of famous Kshatriya clan Jnatrika and ruler of his own area) Mother – Trishala (sister of lichchhavi chief Chetaka, whose daughter was wedded to Bimbisara) Contemporary of Gautama Buddha. Initially he lived life of household but at the age of 30 he abandoned house in search of the truth and became an ascetic. For the next 12 years he meditated and practiced the austerities of life. At the age of 42 years, he attained the Supreme knowledge (Kaivalya) under a Sal tree in 498 BC at a place called Trimbhigram on the bank of River Rijupalika (Jharkhand). Through kaivalya he conquered misery and happiness.

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Because of this conquest he is known as Mahavira or the great hero or jina i.e. the conqueror of senses, and his followers are known as Jainas. He propagated this religion for 30 years and during this period he visited to Koshala, Magadha, Mithila, Champa etc. He preached for the first time in the five hills of Nalanda – Vipulchak.

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At the age of 72 (468 BC) he attained Nirvana (died) at Pavapuri (Nalanda).

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Doctrines of Jainism

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5 doctrines – o Non – Violence: Not to kill or harm any living creature. At that period, trees were considered non-living so cutting of trees was allowed. However, it was advised not to do agriculture as ploughing of land might kill the small organisms and insects. Hence, peasants were not attracted towards this new faith and it was more famous amongst traders and businessmen. o Not to Steal: Do not try to take what is not yours rightfully. o Not to Accumulate: Leads to a problem of haves and have nots. It discouraged hoarding or keeping more than what is required. o Not to tell a lie: Not to give wrong information to others. o Celibacy: Celibacy in Jainism is slightly different than that of Hinduism. In Hinduism celibacy means not...