India and South Asia 500 BCE
The return of urban civilization to ancient India has been followed by a creative period in its history, with the founding of Buddhism.
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What is happening in India and South Asia in 500BCE
Classical India
Over the past centuries, growing populations and expanding trade links with the Middle East have stimulated the rise of urban civilization again in the Aryan heartland of ancient India. A network of towns, cities and trade routes is growing up, supported by highly productive agriculture using iron tools (which have spread in from the west). A Sanskrit script – based on the Aramaic script of the Middle East – is probably in use by this date and, shortly, a system of coinage will appear. These developments point to the renewed importance of trade routes between South Asia and Western Asia.
The various Aryan tribes have coalesced into sixteen major states which now cover northern India. Most of these states are ruled by kings, but some are republics, governed by oligarchies of noblemen.
New Religions
This period of Indian history is one of great intellectual achievement. The foundations of early Hinduism have long been laid, but the religious assumptions that underpin it are being challenged from various quarters. Two teachings of enduring significance emerge from the spiritual and philosophical tensions of ancient India. Buddhism has been founded by Gautama Siddharta (the Buddha), which will be one of the most influential faiths in world history, and Jainism, founded by a teacher called Mahariva.
Southern India
In southern India, the Tamils are emerging as the dominant group. The peoples of the south are adopting the use of iron implements, and farming is advancing at the expense of pastoralism and hunter-gathering.
Next map, India and South Asia in 200 BCE
Dig Deeper
The history and civilization of ancient India
The Vedic age of Ancient India (1500-500 BCE)
The Classical period of Ancient India (700-350 BCE)
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Civilizations related to India and South Asia
2700BCE - 1700BCE Indus Valley Civilization 1500BCE - 500BCE The Vedic Age of Ancient India 700BCE - 350BCE Classical Era of Ancient India 350BCE - 150BCE The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India 250BCE - 250CE Gandhara Culture of Ancient India 200BCE - 1000CE History of the Deccan Empires of Ancient and Medieval India 800CE - 1200CE The Rajputs of India 1200CE - 1500CE The Delhi Sultanate of India 1526CE - 1758CE The Mughal Empire 1758CE - 1947CE British IndiaSubscribe for more great content – and remove ads
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