From the Indus River or Harappan Civilization to the Mauryan Empire of Ashoka how did Indian society evolve over time?

Learning Goal: I’m working on a history question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

Answer both questions thoroughly and entirely.

From the Indus River or Harappan Civilization to the Mauryan Empire of Ashoka how did Indian society evolve over time? Consider changes in social norms, environmental change, and/or religious changes. For example, one might examine the roots of the Caste System in India and what function it played in society, and how did it change over time? Likewise, consider how was Ashoka’s rule unique and are there lessons that the modern world might take from Ashoka?

How was ancient Chinese political life organized? During the period of prolonged instability following the decline of the Zhou Dynasty in 770BCE how did Confucians, Taoists, and Legalists attempt to deal with this long period of unrest? Do these philosophical approaches provide lessons that might be valuable to the modern world? In the case of both China and India, how did geography and the environment shape these civilizations over time?