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China and India: Civilizational Growth Pre-1500

This document discusses the early civilizations that emerged in China and India before 1500 CE. It notes that civilization first emerged between 4000-3000 BCE, allowing for specialization of occupations. Both China and India saw the rise of urban civilizations along river valleys, with institutions and cultural developments supporting stable economies. While China's civilization emerged independently in the Yellow River valley in 2000 BCE, India saw decentralized rule after the Mauryan Kingdom, with urban civilization rising in the Ganges valley and southern coast in the 1st millennium BCE. Overall, the document examines the similarities and differences in the early institutional and cultural developments of China and India.

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124 views3 pages

China and India: Civilizational Growth Pre-1500

This document discusses the early civilizations that emerged in China and India before 1500 CE. It notes that civilization first emerged between 4000-3000 BCE, allowing for specialization of occupations. Both China and India saw the rise of urban civilizations along river valleys, with institutions and cultural developments supporting stable economies. While China's civilization emerged independently in the Yellow River valley in 2000 BCE, India saw decentralized rule after the Mauryan Kingdom, with urban civilization rising in the Ganges valley and southern coast in the 1st millennium BCE. Overall, the document examines the similarities and differences in the early institutional and cultural developments of China and India.

Uploaded by

Tom
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Surname 1

Name

Professor

Course

Date

History of Civilization

Civilization highlights the complex way of living that emerged as people started growing

networks of citysettlements. The initial civilization emerged between 4000 and 3000 BCE when

trade and farming enabled people to harvest additional food and gain financial stability.

Thousands of people no longer had to doagriculture; thus, creating a diverse perspective of

occupations and interest to thrive in moderatelyrestricted regions. The goal of this paper is to

focus on the civilization and development of China and India before 1500CE and discus the two

country’s institutional and cultural growth.

The Civilization of China and India

The biggest change in the interpretation of Indian history has been scrutinizing the past

perspective of oriental despotism. Emerging from the traditional European perspective on Asia,

the view of despotism increased to large proportions in the 19th century and outlined a logical

validation for imperialism and colonialism. Its deterministic views clouded the early relationship

among Indian’s social patterns, economic structures, and political forms. Institutions had

different roles to accomplish, such as the clan-based communities with assemblies whose

political duty changed with the modifications of the tribe into state and with monarchical and

oligarchic governments. The centralized imperialism, which was tried under the Mauryan

Kingdom, promoted decentralized administration and feudalistic phases in the post-Gupta period.

Still, the urban economy was a significant contributor to the rise of civilization in the Indus
Surname 2

valley. Before the current era, the first millennium created an urban civilization in the Ganges

valet and parts of coastal south India.

Civilization also extended to China, which grew much like it did in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the

Indus Valley. While other civilizations emerged side by side and knew each other, Chinese

civilization emerged independently with minimal influence from the West's cultures. The urban

civilization only emerged in China around 2000BC, which is a thousand years later than in

Mesopotamia. The known three dynasties to rule the nation engaged Zhou, Shang, and Xia. Zhou

and Shang were the real empires whose leadership exerted significant influence. The two

managed a massive segment of the territory around the Yellow River. During the early stages of

China, before the growth of the primary emperors, Chinese civilization discovered its exclusive

culture. Both China and India civilization emerged similar to that of Mesopotamia in Egypt.

Institutional and Cultural Development

These two civilizations have strong similarities in many perspectives, yet also having a lot of

contrasts. Like other civilizations, India and China would create and merge a local river into their

daily operations and agriculture. Cultural development in the two countries was a big business

and wealth source, which created a strong economy. Both countries had strong institutions

contributing to their stable economies and Asia's general growth in both productivity and living

standards. The growth of institutions within the two nations championed the development of

currencies, which replaced barter trade.

Conclusion

Civilization is a significant factor that provided other avenues for China and India to advance in

political and economic sectors. The two countries’ dynamics were different; they had some
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shared aspects motivated by trade and institutions' growth. The current two nations still have

traditions motivated by civilization and introduction of cultural activities such as farming.

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