Book contents
- The Cambridge World HistoryVolume IV
- The Cambridge World History
- A World with States, Empires, and Networks, 1200 bce–900 ce
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 Introduction: the world from 1200 bce to 900 ce
- Part I Global histories
- Part II Trans-regional and regional perspectives
- 10 Western and Central Eurasia
- 11 Regional study: Baktria – the crossroads of ancient Eurasia
- 12 The Mediterranean
- 13 Regional study: Athens in the fifth century bce
- 14 Late antiquity in Europe c. 300–900 ce
- 15 East Asia
- 16 Regional study: Confucianism and the state
- 17 Regional study: exchanges within the Silk Roads world system
- 18 South Asia
- 19 Regional study: Pataliputra
- 20 The Americas
- 21 Regional study: Chaco Canyon and the US Southwest
- 22 Australasia and the Pacific
- 23 Africa: states, empires, and connections
- 24 Regional study: trans-Saharan trade
- Index
- References
18 - South Asia
from Part II - Trans-regional and regional perspectives
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 May 2015
Edited by
Book contents
- The Cambridge World HistoryVolume IV
- The Cambridge World History
- A World with States, Empires, and Networks, 1200 bce–900 ce
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 Introduction: the world from 1200 bce to 900 ce
- Part I Global histories
- Part II Trans-regional and regional perspectives
- 10 Western and Central Eurasia
- 11 Regional study: Baktria – the crossroads of ancient Eurasia
- 12 The Mediterranean
- 13 Regional study: Athens in the fifth century bce
- 14 Late antiquity in Europe c. 300–900 ce
- 15 East Asia
- 16 Regional study: Confucianism and the state
- 17 Regional study: exchanges within the Silk Roads world system
- 18 South Asia
- 19 Regional study: Pataliputra
- 20 The Americas
- 21 Regional study: Chaco Canyon and the US Southwest
- 22 Australasia and the Pacific
- 23 Africa: states, empires, and connections
- 24 Regional study: trans-Saharan trade
- Index
- References
Summary
This chapter outlines phases and developments conventionally regarded as mainstream in the foundation of civilization in mainland South Asia. The period from 500 to 300 BCE represents the onset of the early historic period in South Asia for which we have plentiful literary and archaeological evidence. The period from 300 to 900 CE has relatively recently been christened the early medieval period in South Asian history. 'Indian feudalism', a model of political and economic decentralization that was patterned closely on classical European developments. The process of Gupta expansion peaked under Chandragupta II who conquered western India as well and probably founded his capital city in Ujjayini. Buddhism also flourished during the Gupta period, notably at centres like Nalanda that emerged as a great monastery and university. It is in the Gupta period that a miracle of metallurgical technology, the Iron Pillar that stands at Delhi, was forged.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Cambridge World History , pp. 480 - 513Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2015
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