History and Religions of Ancient China and India

            Introduction

            Indian and Chinese culture shares a relationship and history that is old in nature.  Through the initial millennium, both states were religious and spiritual activities centers. Both nations struggled with colonialism from the western (Wright, 2011). Despite the political relations amid the two nations are not many because based on philosophy it was principally from India.

            Question 1

            The four early Chinese dynasties are Xia, Shang, Zhou and Qin dynasty. These dynasties are characterized by different events which are utilized in describing their occurrences (Wright, 2011).  Shang dynasty is a single dynasty of San Dai dynasties which mainly involves Zhou, Xia, and Shang.  These dynasties are believed to be the major marks of the civilization of Chinese. The dynasty is therefore characterized by the system of writing, divination exercise, cities development, the technology of bronze and the utilization of chariots that were drawn by horses (Wright, 2011).

            The Zhou dynasty is a social and political hierarchical system that was characterized by the royal house of Zhou (Wright, 2011). In this dynasty power was subjected to the families that were aristocratic. This dynasty is mostly compared to the feudalism of the European as it gave it the ancestral cult’s hierarchical order.  This system later developed a power competition between autonomous semi-rivals. This resulted in the eruption of autumn and the spring period as well as the warring period (Wright, 2011).

            The Qin dynasty was the dynasty that led to the creation of state’s unitary and it imposed an administration that was centralized as well as measures, writing scripts and weights standardization. This was not for its oppressive methods of ruling which included dissenting ideas dominance. Qin dynasty is characterized by the event of Chang’a Xian present day as well as the death of Qin Shihuangdi (Wright, 2011). 

Question 2

            The three major Chinese early arts are characterized poetry, calligraphy as well as painting.  Calligraphy is described as the handwriting art (Powers, & Tsiang, 2016).  The Chinese ancient considered the art of writing as an important part of their culture.  The ancient calligraphers were hence involved in long-term practices of art writing that were characterized with style and perfection.  This, therefore, meant that the characters had to be developed in unique and a precise way.  This is relevant to the culture as well as the values of the Chinese because handwriting and writing styles are highly valued. Chinese writing is associated with uniqueness and complexity which is highly regarded as an important aspect of their culture (Powers, & Tsiang, 2016).

            Painting, on the other hand, was mainly influenced by the art of calligraphy as well as poetry.  The art of painting was a significant cultural element for the ancient Chinese.  Most of the Chinese paintings involved the art of landscapes. These paintings were therefore used in featuring birds, trees, homes, mountains as well as water.  The arts were thus utilized as a form of cultural heritage.  This reflects the values and the culture of Chinese as they highly value the surrounding. Through painting their values are expressed in an open and a concise way (Wright, 2011).

            Moreover, poetry was an essential art form.  Those poets that were termed as great were all famous during the general empire period and this, therefore, meant that all those individuals who were educated were necessitated to be involved in poetry writing. Poetry is highly connected to the values and culture of Chinese because it is utilized in the expression of both political and cultural surroundings (Powers, & Tsiang, 2016).

            Question 3

Decade’s years ago Aravillis land was referred as Tethys and with time the land of Himalayas was developed from the sea (Stein, & Arnold, 2010). With time continuity the rise of a huge land that was characterized by water flow was developed which resulted in modern India formation. The enormous fertility in turn attracted individual from different lands. Indian culture is, therefore, a collaboration of different tribes and Himalayas is mainly associated with its progress. The Aryans transformed the Indian culture in ways that were uncountable. This mainly occurred through the introduction of castles and horses, Aryan language and gods. Before the Aryans arrived individuals were living in sophisticated agricultural existence which additionally involved the development of arts (Stein, & Arnold, 2010).

            Question 4

            Rock art is one of the early Indian arts. The art involves rock carvings, paintings as well as rock engraving (Om, 2005).  In India, the presence of rock art sites is estimated to be around one thousand three hundred. Temple painting is relevant to the Indian values and culture as it is a form of a religious symbol. In addition, the Maurya empire art illustrates the form of governing that existed in the empire period.  This is a form of both religious and cultural representation.  This was also used as a representation of power decentralization as well as authority possession.  Writing arts were additionally utilized as a form of storytelling. This type of art was accomplished through the use of Buddhist sculpture. Script’s writing is important in India as it illustrates both religious and cultural values (Om, 2005).

            Question 5

            Chinese culture was enveloped different philosophical and religious system that was practiced in china before the evolution of communist (Powers, & Tsiang, 2016).  Confucians and traditional Taoism provided moral directions to suitable behaviors for individuals in china.  Taoism aimed at promoting individuals inner peace and Confucius was based on ethical writings and teachings that were aimed at teaching individuals the proper manners of society’s behavior (Powers, & Tsiang, 2016).  Communist, Christianity, and Buddhism were additionally involved in china’s cultural development as they aimed at ensuring that individuals behaved appropriately in the societies. Confucius was crucial as he provided the responsibilities and the functions of every societal member in order to encourage harmony (Powers, & Tsiang, 2016).

            In India Hinduism acted as the basic element and principle of the Indian culture. India is termed as the most religious state in its culture and society is highly guided by religion.  Hinduism provided the philosophical approach which influenced the creation of Indian culture (Stein, & Arnold, 2010). Through the philosophical Hinduism, guidance individuals were taught how to play their roles in families as well as in the society.  This, therefore, influenced the culture formation as it determined the conduct and practices of individuals in India (Stein, & Arnold, 2010).

            In summary, both India and china have close relations despite the few diplomatic contradictions between them.  Both the historical background of the two nations they are fully focusing on growth which makes them mutual despite their cultural dissimilarities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            References

            Om, P. (2005). Cultural history of India. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Limited, Publishers.

Powers, M. J., & Tsiang, K. R. (2016). A companion to Chinese art.

Stein, B., & Arnold, D. (2010). A history of India. Chichester, U.K: Wiley-Blackwell.

Wright, D. C. (2011). The history of China. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood.