Chapter 6: India and Southeast Asia: 1500 B.C.E.-600C.E.

Reading Questions:

1. The chapter opens with an excerpt from the Bhagavad-Gita. How is the story of Arjuna and Krishna a perfect metaphor for understanding the meaning of God in Hinduism as well as the importance of karma and reincarnation?

2. Explain the origin of the Indian class system during the Vedic Age. Include brief descriptions of the major class divisions

3. At the end of the Vedic period, the authority of the Brahmins was challenged by individuals seeking new spiritual answers. What was the result of this challenge?

4. Discuss the effects of polytheism and the lack of unification in India prior to Ashoka

5. Describe the rise and importance of the Mauryan Empire

6. How did the Mauryan Empire and the Gupta Empire succeed in unifying much of India?

7. Traditionally, what are the duties of a young Indian man through the ideal life cycle?

8. What was the condition of Indian women during the Gupta Empire? What important factors affected women's lives?

9. What two outside factors influenced the development of large states in Southeast Asia? Discuss the ways that early Southeast Asia participated in the world system.

10. How did a number of states in Southeast Asia become wealthy and powerful by exploiting their position on the trade routes between China and India?

11. Describe the advancements in science and technology that developed in India between 15000BCE to 600CE.

12. Compare and contrast Jainism and Buddhism. What were their basic beliefs and practices? What were they a response to? How successful were they?

Key Terms:


1. monsoon

2. Vedas

3. varna

4. jati

5. karma

6. moksha

7. Buddha

8. Mahayana Buddhism

9. Theravada Buddhism

10. Hinduism

11. Mauryan Empire

12. Ashoka

13. Mahabharata

14. Bhagavad-Gita

15. Tamil kingdoms

16. Gupta Empire

17. theater-state

18. Funan

19. Srivijaya

20. Malay peoples


Map Exercises (Map 6.1=page 168):

1. Refer to Map 6.1 and describe the different regions of the subcontinent. How did this geography keep India isolated from other areas? What areas did it “push” India toward politically and economically?.

2. Refer to Map 6.1 and describe the boundaries of the Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta Empires. When did these empires begin and end? Why were there long periods of disunity? Does geography contribute to disunity?

3. Using Map 6.1, identify the three topographical zones and discuss their characteristics. How do they relate to Indian political history? What economic development results from this geography?