Category Social Sciences

               The Harappan civilization finally declined between 2000 and 1800 BC. We cannot really pinpoint one single reason. Climate changes may have played a role, since the Earth was becoming warmer during this time. The land became drier, and water ran short for cultivation.

               It is also thought that earthquakes or fires may have destroyed many cities. The city of Mohenjo-Daro shows evidence of having been destroyed by fire. Other scholars feel that the population was wiped out by an epidemic or disease. It is also likely that the area became too large to be effectively controlled, encouraging attacks by outsiders. Some believe that the nomadic Aryans invaded India around 1500 BC, and destroyed the Indus Valley civilization, bringing to an end the most brilliant civilization of the ancient world. Many modern historians say the theories of Aryan invasion are a myth. 

               Yu the Great founded the first Chinese dynasty, Xia. They ruled in the lower reaches of the Yellow River between 2200 and 1570 BC. The dynasty is famous for its dam building and the working of bronze. The Shang dynasty succeeded the Xia. The city of Ao was its capital. The Shang was famous for silk weaving, agriculture, and the use of wheels with spokes. The basics of the Chinese language were developed in this period. They heated bones and turtle shells and read their future from the cracks that emerged!

               The Zhou overthrew the Shang. They distributed large landholdings to family members and supporters. Thus they divided people into landlords and peasants. Thereby they laid the foundations of the future feudal state. 

                Warlords and regional rulers rose during the period between 476 and 221 BC. They waged bitter wars. So, this period is known as the period of the warring states. Wandering thinkers and teachers of wisdom offered their services to the new lords. Hence, this period is also known as the ‘Period of the Hundred Schools of Thought’. Taoism arose at this time. The principles of Taoism are laid down in Tao Te Ching or The Book of the Way and the Power of the Way. Taoists lead a peaceful life in harmony with nature. Confucianism was the other major philosophy. Confucianism called for a virtuous life.

                Mohism and the Agriculture School too exercised some influence. Mohism, founded by Mo Di, preached universal love of mankind. The Agriculture School gave supreme importance to agriculture. They even asked the rulers to work in the fields! These new schools of thought were based on the ancient Chinese ideas of harmony. Ancient Chinese thinkers believed that all development was due to the interplay of the yin and the yang. The yin was the warm and active male force, while the yang was the cold and accepting female force. 

                    Qin Shih Huang di was the first emperor of China. King Zhen of the Qin state defeated the other six warring states quickly and cruelly. King Zhen took the name of Qin Shih Huang di, and became the first emperor of China. He ruled for 11 years, and achieved astonishing things.

                   He ruled with the aid of a powerful army and loyal officials. He laid down standards for writing, money, weights and measures, clothes, and even hairstyles. Hundreds of thousands of labourers were forcibly put to work, to control the flow of rivers and to lay 6800 kilometres of roads. He constructed the beginnings of the Great Wall of China, and his huge tomb. Qin Shih Huang di burned a large portion of the ancient philosophical writings.

               Rulers often rely on religion. The great Han emperor Wu-Di made Confucianism the state religion. He realized that Confucianism would foster Han rule. Kong Zi or Confucius who lived between 551 and 479 BC was the founder of Confucianism. Confucianism called for a life of virtue. Ren or humanity, yi or righteousness, li or ritual, zhi or knowledge and xin or integrity are the pillars of Confucianism. People were asked to be polite and respectful to one another. They were expected to serve their ruler. Emperor Wu-Di made knowledge of Confucianism compulsory for the civil services examination of his time. 

               The first emperor of the famous Han dynasty was a peasant. Lui Chi led the peasant revolt that overthrew the Qin dynasty in the second century. He was given the name of Kao-tsu, after his death. The Han emperors annexed Korea in the North, and Vietnam in the South. They had to keep at bay the Hsiung-nu, the wandering horsemen of Central Asia. They established a stable empire.

               The stable rule of the Han paved way for trade, along the famous Silk Road. Paper was invented in the Han period. The first suspension bridge was built, and Chinese medicine was developed. Over 17 million words were added to the law. The Han nobles led a life of luxury. The largest ethnic group in present day China is named after the Han.