CHINA - INDIA COMPARISON. In common: "2 oldest continuous civilizations." -->
Fundamental continuity in Indian and Chinese civilizations, ancient to modern ...
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1) usually some contact with other "civilized" peoples. So, some outside influences.
1) relatively isolated from other centers of civilization. Chinese culture develops particularly from native Chinese efforts and resources. So: lots of self-confidence.
2) lots of diversity within India. 13 major languages, some Indo-European from Sanskrit), some Dravidian.
2) not as much diversity. Two main cultures, North China and South China.
3) usually governed by various regional 3) often politically unified under a kingdoms. A single gov't for entire strong central government. area of Indian civ exists only very rarely (c. 300 of c. 4500 years) 4) very spiritual ("religious") culture. Many cultural features common to the entire subcontinent have come from its religion ("Hinduism").
4) major component of culture: "humanistic, worldly" thought. Many standards, ideas about behavior, etc. stem from secular philosophy: Confucius' ideas, and others' elaborations on them (in part because the central gov't chose those ideas).
5) priests (brahmins) have high prestige.
5) educated people have high prestige. "Gentry," examination system.
6) relatively autonomous villages.
6) villages not autonomous.
7) fairly extensive range. India was the major cultural influence on all Southeast Asia.
7) limited range. China mostly just influences Japan and Korea, plus a bit of influence on Vietnam (though Chinese people migrate all over Asia)
8) India's contributions to other 8) China: world's #1 "inventor cultures: the zero, cotton textiles, civilization" to c. 1500. Chinese fine medical techniques; merchants develop paper, the water mill, the of spices horse collar, the wheelbarrow, printing, the compass, and gunpowder weapons.
