Chapter 5. Classical India and China

India. After the Vedic period, India saw the rise of kingdoms and the Mauryan Empire (founded around 321 BCE). Ashoka (about 268–232 BCE) promoted Buddhist ideas of non-violence and moral rule. The Gupta period (about 320–550 CE) is noted for achievements in mathematics (including the concept of zero as a number and the decimal place-value system), astronomy, medicine and literature [12].

China. The Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE) saw the idea of the Mandate of Heaven and the “Hundred Schools” of thought. Qin Shi Huang unified China in 221 BCE. The Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) created a lasting imperial civil service, spread Confucian ideas, and expanded trade along the Silk Roads. Inventions include paper, the compass, and later printing and gunpowder [13].

Trade networks. The Silk Roads were overland and maritime routes that moved silk, spices, metals, ideas, religions and diseases among East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe [15].

Review: What did Qin Shi Huang achieve in 221 BCE? (Answer: he unified China and became its first emperor.)