Classical India Change and Continuity over Time
Classical India Change and Continuity over Time From 300-600 CE, there were major changes in classical Indian civilizations as new religions were formed, political power was increased, and advancements in math and science were made. However, trade routes continued to flourish while the caste system was supported by the Hindu religion. These helped the patriarchal society flourish in the 300 years. In the classical Indian society, many changes took place, religion being one of the main few. New religions changed the social norms from only Hinduism to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Jainism was a new religion promoted by Vardhamana Mahavira. Jainists practiced ahimsa, or total nonviolence, because they thought that everything had a soul. Buddhism is religion made popular by Siddhartha Guatama. It instructed its followers to follow the Dharma, or the Buddha Doctrine. Ashoka Maurya further spread the influence of Buddhism when he switched to it after conquering Kalinga. Several other big changes were political power and advancements in math and science. The items India traded caused great need and want in the European nations, and this gave India influence over them, increasing political power. The increasing size of the Indian Dynasty also added to increasing political power. Advancements in math, such as calculating Pi to 3.1416, and science, such as determining that the earth was spherical and that it rotated on its axis, contributed to bigger ideas, like plastic surgery and calculus. Along with big changes in classical India, there were continuities that were sustained for the whole shebang. Since Hinduism remained the dominant religion, and Hinduism built the caste system, there was always a caste system. There were oversea trade routes and long distance land trade routes (the Silk Road). Items exported along these trade routes included cotton, peppercorn, pearls, and gems. Imported items were horses, silk, and bullion. These trade routes were used up