INDIA’S CLASSIC AGE
Part One
The first resource I will use from the Alexander College Writing and Learning Center is the Academic Writing Help resource. This resource is a vital tool for any student who desires to write a good academic essay be it augmentative, expository, analytical or a compare and contrast essays. In particular, the resource will be beneficial to those like me who are curious to learn how to write a thesis statement that is captivating, precise and relevant. Since we will be required to do a research on an essay topic that is argumentative, it is imperative that I learn how to develop a thesis for the essay. Additionally, I will need to know how I will arrange the supporting materials that will give credence to my argument.
Under the Academic Writing Help Resource, I will also learn how to summarize and rephrase the information I get from the primary and secondary sources I will use for my research. The essence of learning how to paraphrase is that I will be able to present the ideas of others in my own words and according to how I understand such ideas. Having the skill ensures that I am ethical in my work in that I will desist from plagiarizing the work of others. In addition to the paraphrasing skill, I will consult the Citation Style Guides resource to know how to do proper citation of the work I have paraphrased.
The other critical resource I will use is the Everything Essays resource. Under the resource, I am interested to understand two key concepts which are; how to use annotated bibliography and outline worksheets. The use of annotated bibliography in a proper manner means my work will of a high quality and it will conform to the required academic standard. It will also be easy to verify some of the sources, primary and secondary that I will use in the justification of my argument. The outline worksheets will make my work orderly and easy to follow the ideas therein. The outline will also help me to ensure that all the points that support and controvert my argument are unequivocally presented and elaborated.
Part Two
A primary source of information can be defined as a document or an image that contains evidentiary information about a particular event in the past. The document or image is normally in its original form or a certified copy of the original copy. Such sources are believed to have been prepared contemporaneously with the event or shortly after the event had lapsed with a participant observer who may have likely witnessed the event. Primary sources can be found in the form of books, manuscripts, artifacts, paintings, diaries, journals, maps, letters, plays, poems and memoirs among other sources. Primary sources especially those that capture historic events can be found in libraries, archives and museums.
The advantage of using a primary source in a research is that it has the potentiality to portray the event being considered with seamless precision, detail and vividness. The researcher is also able to get a unique and unadulterated opinion about the historic event. Whereas such an opinion may be marred with some element of subjectivity, in most instances, it represents the general feeling and standpoint of the people who were present then. Primary sources therefore have a unique way of recreating the event in the mind of the reader.
On the other hand, a secondary source is a piece of work that is written later after an event has occurred with the purport analyzing, explaining or interpreting the event. In a nutshell, a secondary source can be said to be any information that is written about a primary source. In terms of what sort of information primary and secondary sources provide to historians, a primary source will provide a clear picture of an event that occurred in the past through a vivid narration. Conversely, a secondary source will come in to explain, interpret or discuss the event. A secondary source therefore helps the historian to better understand an event that occurred in the past. For example, a primary source will give a narration of the 9-11 bombing that focusses on how, when and where it occurred. A secondary source will come in to explain why it might have occurred and it may provide an analysis of the security situation at that moment.
Part Three
The topic I have chosen focuses on the Classic Age of India also referred to as India’s golden age. This period herald much advancements India on various fronts including the political, social and more importantly, the economic. However, in as much as tremendous growth was witnessed in India’s society then under the Gupta rule, social injustices and massive stratification of the local populace was also witnessed which came with dire consequences
Thesis statement
The Classical age of India’s history was not only responsible for the creation of arguably the most powerful social and economic system in India that positively altered the course of history of India’s society hitherto, but also served to promote division among India’s populace with consequences reverberating to the current society in India.
The chosen thesis statement is important for this task since it resonates with the argumentative requirements of this task. The classical age of India’s history (golden age) refers to the time between 320 BCE and 550 CE which was made up of two vital dynasties, the Gupta and the Mauryan. The classic age witnessed a change of rule in India which came with massive economic gains that transformed India into a regional power house but which later on led to massive divisions and stratification among the locals.
This paper thus seeks to argue that in as much as the classic age in India was largely beneficial, it was equally replete of social divisions and injustices which adversely affected Indian.
INDIA’S CLASSIC AGE
Background Information:
The classical age of India’s history (golden age) refers to the time between 200 BCE and 1100 CE which was made up of two vital dynasties, the Gupta and the Mauryan. The classic age which took place between the 4th and 6th century witnessed a change of rule in India which came with massive economic gains that transformed India into a regional power house but which later on led to massive divisions and stratification among the locals.
Thesis statement:
The Classical age of India’s history was not only responsible for the creation of arguably the most powerful social and economic system in India that positively altered the course of history of India’s society hitherto, but also served to promote division among India’s populace with consequences reverberating to the current society in India.
Section A. Reason or argument that supports your thesis
The chosen thesis statement is important for this task since it resonates with the argumentative requirements of this task. It is given that India’s classic age witnessed growth and noteworthy developments in various sectors as shall be appraised in this manuscript. After the death of the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta kingdom arise whose reign marked the greatest time in classical India. However, with this growth also came some challenges which casts a dark cloud over the documented progress that came with the Classic Age. In this regard, the counter argument in this essay argues that the challenges that came after the classic age in which India was under the Gupta Empire are more than the benefits. The overall conclusion is however that in as much as challenges abound in Classical Age India, the witnessed benefits far outweighs them all.
Body Paragraph 1 Topic sentence
India under the Gupta Empire experienced massive advancements in economy and trade
Body Paragraph 1 Supporting points
1. Excesses in agricultural products in India in the classic Age led to the growth and expansion of towns and witnessed a growth in industry and trade. As towns grew, manufacturing centers came into existence as textiles, iron products and pots were produced en masse.
2. India became a major import and export routes for traders. Cotton, gems, pearls and pepper constituted majority of the exports.
3. The growth in trade and economy resulted in the emergence of a skilled workforce.
4. New castes emerged such as the Jati caste, with the advent of a skilled workforce. As the skilled workforce interacted in their various occupations, other caste systems died slowly.
Body Paragraph 2 Topic sentence:
India in the classical Age enjoyed considerable progress in Art and literature
Body Paragraph 2 Supporting points
1. The Gupta Age is considered the classic peak with regard to India’s art.
2. The classic age witnessed the advent of the iconic carved stones representing Indian deity.
3. The Buddha image was cast in this time period which was more than six feet high. The impact of Buddhism in India’s culture is still felt today.
4. Images of Shiva, Vishnu and other Hindu deity were made in this classical age time period.
5. Religious literature and secular literature was produced en masse in this time period. Advancements in poetry was also witnessed in this time period, which stand until today.
Section B. Reason or argument 2 that supports your thesis
Body Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence:
India in the classical golden age with massive growth in science and technology whose impacts remain up until now
Body Paragraph 3 Supporting points
1. Varahamihira and Aryabhata, two of the most prominent scholars at time are believed to be the first to postulate that the earth moves around the sun.
2. Gupta’s scientists made the discovery of seven planets in the solar system
3. Scientists in this time period made the technology that facilitated the seeing of eclipses of both the moon and the sun
4. Herbs were first used to treat wounds.
Body Paragraph 4 Topic sentence:
Classic age India with massive reformations in religion and in the society as a whole
Body Paragraph 4 Supporting points
1. Pressure mounted on India’s social and religious systems due to the vast wealth created by advancements in India’s economy
2. India being largely agricultural in the classic age, more respect and reverence was given to the castes which where priestly and aristocratic. Other castes at the time were not respected.
3. As trade and commerce increased, wealth and prosperity was channeled to the low castes wo were mainly the working class. Little respect was given to the aristocratic and priestly castes whose relevance waned as the economy grew.
4. India in the classic age witnessed the rise of Buddhism which was largely due to social injustices as the central government failed to mitigate and resolve conflicts. Hinduism also rose as a predominant religion.
C. Reason or argument 3 that supports your thesis
Body Paragraph 5 Topic sentence:
Advancements in Mathematics and engineering under the Gupta Empire in the classic Age
Body Paragraph 5 Supporting Points
1. The decimal system used today was invented in this time period in India.
2. Factories first came into being in this time.
3. Scientists Arybhata established that earth was spherical and computed its circumference.
4. An elaborate road system was built in this time to facilitate the locomotion of the army and the traders
5. Engineer Asoka first introduced the construction marvel of stones which were polished and used for construction.
Body Paragraph 6 Topic sentence:
Astronomy, religion and philosophy grew in the classic age in India with effects still felt today in India
Body Paragraph 6 Supporting points
1. The advent of Buddhism and Hinduism is traceable to this time period.
2. Jainism took root during the classical age
3. The Pañcasiddhāntikā, (a literacy astronomy work by Varahimira made in 505 CE) was created which could determine the meridian direction from any 3 points using gnomon (a sundial part that casts shadows used in mathematics). The The Pañcasiddhāntikā can also be termed as a medieval book in Classical India which describes the Sun’s motion.
4. Massive studies on the solar system and the planets
The Moksha philosophy greatly advanced in this time.
5. The yoga, samkhya, Vedanta, nyaya, vaiseshika and purva philosophies took shape in the classical age.
6. The Buddhist philosophy received further thoughts in this age and the views of Hinayana and Mahayana reviewd. These new interpretations remain hitherto.
Possible Section III: Counter Arguments and Responses to them
Identify a possible counter argument or objection to your position
The advancements on various fronts in India later on led to divisions and stratification of the locals hence antagonists of the claim that India grew tremendously in the classic age refute such claims.
Reasons to refute or argue against the counter argument
Despite the massive segregation among the locals that led to the development of new caste systems, these castes such as the Jati caste system was hugely beneficial to the locals.
The jati caste system rose to become the backbone of India’s society. Through their formulated court systems, societal vices were regulated since the central government was not strong enough. This system survives hitherto in India.
Most of the claimed ills of the classical age such as the stratification of the populace into new castes have proved to be beneficial over time. The formed religions at the time- Buddhism and Hinduism stand hitherto.
Section IV. Conclusion: summary and concluding idea.
Classic Age India is referred to as India’s golden Age, and justifiably so, due to the witnessed massive advancements on various sectors in India.
It is given that despite the tremendous advancements witnessed with the advent of the classic Age in India, noteworthy challenges were also present and which still plague the current generation of Indians.
My concluding idea is that despite the fact that the Classic Age also witnessed its fair share of challenges as documented by most antagonists of the golden age, the benefits far outweigh the challenges
Bibliography
Alexander College Writing and Learning Center. Mistake of avoidance. 2009.
Everything Essays, Alexander College writing learning Centre, “Writing the perfect essay” (n.d) Retrieved from http://alexandercollege.ca/writing-and-learning-centre/english-and- humanities/everything-essays/ Accessed 13th June 2016.
Hamilton, John. Primary and Secondary Sources. ABDO Publishing Company, 2010.
