HIS 111
Unit 5: Classical South Asia

Buddha!  Forget those short, fat guys sitting cross-legged with a protruding stomach to be rubbed for good luck.  That is a modern invention.  This sandstone sculpture dates to the fifth century CE.   Image courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art

• Read chapters 3 and 8 and the section on India in chapter 12 in the textbook.
• Read the Ramayana book in its entirety.
• Read my notes on Classical South Asia and on Buddha.
• Have a look at my short video.
• Study the Questions to Consider and the Key Terms for the unit.
• SUBMIT the Required Ramayana paper (100 points).

• Read my notes on Rama's Bridge.

• Buddha and Ashoka: Crash Course World History #6
• Hinduism Introduction: Core ideas of Brahman, Atman, Samsara and Moksha | History | Khan Academy
• Lost Treasures of Ancient India Documentary 1 of 5
• Indus Valley Civilization: Crash Course World History #2
• The Life Of The Buddha Full BBC Documentary
• For extra credit please suggest to your instructor a relevant video for this unit of the course. Send the title of the video, the URL and a brief explanation of why you find the video interesting and applicable to the material that is being studied in this unit.

• For up to 25 points of extra credit, consider a comparison of the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus of Nazareth and the Sermon at Benares of Siddhartha Buddha in a one-page paper.  Please be sure to cite your sources.
• For up to 10 points of extra credit, read some excerpts from Kautilya's Arthashastra and write a paragraph in which you analyze his conception of kingship.
• For up to 10 points of extra credit, read some of the Edicts of King Ashoka and write a long paragraph in which you examine Ashoka's conception of political leadership.
• For up to 10 points of extra credit, read The Laws of Manu, c. 1500 BCE, and write a paragraph explaining the world-view of Manu.
• For up to 5 points of extra credit, you can submit the answers to the Ramayana study questions.  Please write in formal, complete sentences.
• For extra credit, please suggest a relevant website for this unit of the course.  Send your instructor the title of the site, the URL and a brief explanation why you find the information interesting and applicable to the material being studied this unit.

• Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to (1) describe some of the features of the historical development of early South Asia, (2) define the origin, development and characteristics of Hinduism and Buddhism and (3) analyze a historical primary source.