Change and Continuity of Ancient India

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The Indian history and the Gupta Hindu Kingdom changed drastically by arts, religions, regionalism, and the caste system. The Gupta Rule also called the Classical Age refers to the time where much of the Indian subcontinent was reunited under the Gupta Empire. From the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD the Gupta Hindu Kingdom region of classical India started as a highly political, regionalized caste system to a religious Hindu based culture, and a more science thinking culture. Classical India did not develop the solid political traditions and institutions of Chinese civilization, nor the high level of political interest that would characterize classical Greece and Rome. The most persistent political features of India in the classical period involved regionalism. Regionalism has been the most potent force in Indian politics since India’s Independence and remains the basis of regional political parties. Autocratic kings and emperors spotted the history of classical India, but there were also aristocratic assemblies in some regional states with the power to decide on major issues. The characteristic Indian caste system began to take shape during the Vedic and Epic ages. It became more complex after the Epic Age, as the five initial castes subdivided until almost 300 castes. The caste system was an important social bond across most of the subcontinent.

The caste system consists of five levels. The Brahmins are the highest which consist of priests. The next level is Kshatriuas which are warriors and rulers. The middle of the caste system is the Vaisyas which are skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials. Then there are the Sudras which are the unskilled workers, and the lowest of all the Parian (Harijans) which are outcastes, or the untouchables. To a great extent, the caste system and religious encouragement to the faithful performance of caste duties did more for Indian life than more usual government structures did in other cultures. Unlike Greece and Rome, classical India formed their political traditions through the creation of the caste system and regionalism. The culture of classical India consists of many things, including religion, arts, and science and technology. Classical Indian civilization generated two major world religions—Hinduism and Buddhism. These two religions have had a great impact on the formation of India. Moreover, if one had to identify a main ideal emerging from classical India, it would be the importance of spiritual union. Hinduism is the religion of India’s majority and developed gradually over a period of many centuries. Its origins lies in the Vedic and Epic ages, as the Aryan religion gained greater sophistication, though no one really knows when it was actually started in India. Buddhism was founded on the teachings of the Indian prince Gautama, born around 563 B.C.E. Gautama, later called Buddha came to question the fairness of earthly life in which so much poverty and misery abound. He accepted many of the Hindu beliefs, but he attacked the priests and caste system, for Buddha argued that holy life could be attained from any level of society. Finally, Buddhism’s greatest successes came in other parts of Southeast Asia, including the islands of Sri Lanka, China, and Japan.

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The Golden Age had extensive achievements in science, technology, and art. Indians came across the plant, sugar cane, and they were the first ones to find cotton. The Taj Mahal was a big art of ancient India which was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jaihan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Manah. The Indian culture is very diverse, composed of piece of architecture, technology, science, religions, and belief systems. In conclusion the Gupta Hindu Kingdom of India which started as a highly political regionalized place which became noticed by general accomplishments which formed the features of what is known as the Hindu culture, which changed classical India culturally and politically. It was changed in technology through finding out sugarcane and cotton. The Taj Mahal was considered a big art of Ancient India. These are still very important to India today. India wouldn’t be considered the country it is today if it was for the changes of politics and culture.

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