Part 35

Explore Part 35 of Civilization V, covering ancient India, the Maurya Empire, and the rise of major religions like Hinduism and Buddhism.

The clan was the major political unit in early Indian society. Over time, the population became more stationary, and the clan chief evolved into a king with political, religious, and military authority. As taxation developed, the state's wealth and power grew. This period also saw the widespread use of iron and a return to urban life, particularly in the Ganges valley, marking a resurgence of Indian civilization.

The Rigveda, the earliest Vedic text, describes the mythological basis for the Indian "caste" system, which apparently developed during this period. Caste is hereditary, meaning a person is born into their station with no possibility of advancement. There appear to have been four major castes: the Brahmans (priestly caste), the Kshatriyas (military and land-owning caste), the Vaishyas (merchants and skilled workers), and the Sudras (unskilled workers). The caste system has proven remarkably persistent throughout Indian history, with vestiges still found in modern times despite rigorous government attempts to eliminate it.

By around 500 BC, over a dozen major states existed in India, some monarchical and others oligarchic. These states frequently fought to expand their influence. In addition to internal conflicts, Indian states faced external pressures. In 326 BC, Alexander the Great invaded northwest India, conquering Punjab before turning back. In the early 2nd century BC, Demetrius, the Greek king of Bactria, conquered a large portion of northwest India, with his heirs ruling the area for some time. Meanwhile, eastern India was invaded by Central Asian nomadic tribes driven out of China by the Han emperors. Over time, these invaders were either driven out or assimilated, leaving a powerful influence on Indian history and culture.

Chandragupta Maurya (340 – 290 BC) founded the Maurya Empire, unifying much of the Indian subcontinent. His son, Ashoka the Great (304 – 232 BC), further expanded the empire. Ashoka embraced Buddhism and non-violence later in his life, constructing many Buddhist temples across India and promoting the religion in Southern Asia. The Maurya Empire declined after Ashoka's death, and in 185 BC, the Brahmin general Sunga assassinated the Maurya king and seized power, establishing the Sunga dynasty.

Religion has always been a powerful force in India. Three major world religions originated on the subcontinent, and other external religions have found significant favor. Hinduism, the predominant religion, dates back to the Vedic period and is the oldest surviving religious tradition, practiced by approximately one billion people, 90% of whom reside in India. It is a collection of religious traditions and tenets, embracing monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, and other beliefs. Key concepts include Dharma (ethics), Samsara (the cycle of life, death, and rebirth), Karma (cause and effect), and Yoga (paths to enlightenment).

Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (563 BC – 483 BC), the Buddha. It teaches followers how to achieve nirvana and escape suffering through ethical conduct, meditation, exercise, and study. Buddhism spread slowly until embraced by Ashoka the Great, who actively promoted it abroad. Over time, Buddhism was supplanted in India by Hinduism and later Islam, becoming virtually extinct by the twelfth century AD, though it has seen a slight resurgence in modern times.

Jainism teaches practitioners to achieve a high state of consciousness through study and self-discipline, emphasizing non-violence. It originated in the 9th century BC and survives today with approximately 4 million followers in India and 100,000 worldwide.

The Gupta Dynasty ruled Northern and Central India from AD 320 to AD 540, a period some scholars call the "Golden Age" of India due to flourishing literature, art, architecture, and philosophy. However, by the mid-fifth century, much of the Gupta Empire was overrun by Central Asian invaders known as the "Hunas." This period brought further Central Asian influence into India.

Following the Guptas' collapse, India saw the rise and fall of smaller kingdoms. Muslims began raiding the Indian coast in the seventh century AD. The first significant military incursion into northern India occurred in the late 12th century by Muslim Turks under Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna, who conquered Punjab and led successful raids. Delhi was conquered in 1193, establishing the Delhi Sultanate. The Mamluk dynasty ruled until 1290, succeeded by the Khalji, then the Tughlaq, and so forth. In 1526, Babur of Kabul defeated the ruling power and established the Mughal Dynasty, which survived for three centuries. While Muslims never conquered all of India, they ruled a large portion.