Ch 6, Sec 3: India’s First Empires

Early Invaders of India Princes of India fought for 100s of years for small pieces of land Persian Empire attacked in 500 B.C. and took control for over 100 years Greece took control with Alexander the Great in 327 B.C. Greek troops left within 10 years and left an opening for India’s first empire

Mauryan Dynasty-Chandraupta Maurya Founded by Chandraupta Maurya in 321 B.C. Took control after the Greeks left India Started a dynasty-a series of rulers from the same family Created a centralized gov’t with: – Army, spies, and a postal system Capital city-Pataliputra

Mauryan Dynasty-Asoka Asoka was the dynasty’s greatest king Ruled from B.C. Military ruler but hated bloodshed Left the violence of war First Buddhist King

Mauryan Dynasty- Asoka Known as a great builder – Roads, hospitals, shelters Sent monks all over Asia to spread peace/faith Created Stupas-shrines with domes or mounds Tolerant of Hindu faith India became the center of trade for Asia, North Africa, and Europe

Fall of the Mauryan Empire Asoka died and bad kings followed him The people of India turned against the new kings Kings stole the crops and taxed the Indians Resulted in 500 years of fighting

The Gupta Empire Chandragupta took control in 320 A.D. Founded the Gupta Dynasty Samudragupta took control when his father died and controlled all of Northern India Smaller empire-easier to control

Economy of The Gupta Empire Traded iron, salt, and cloth Traded with Asia and Europe Owned all the gold and silver mines Trade created large cities with lots of religious sites Pilgrims used trade to practice their faith

Gupta Empire-Culture Hinduism-official religion Paid artists to create artwork of the sacred scriptures, gods, and goddesses Golden age of art and learning

Indian Literature-Mahabharata Poem about Indian warriors and their heroic deeds Many authors Longest poem ever-88,000 versus Bhagavad Gita-a verse that describes a soldier’s duty to continue when times are difficult and painful

Indian Literature-Ramayana Poem about religious and moral lessons on life Explains a love story/tragedy between a king/queen who were banished from their kingdom

Indian Literature Most poems stressed dharma Gave advice and moral support Best known author-Kalidasa who wrote The Cloud Messenger

Indian Influence on Math First to use Algebra/algorithms Created the idea of the Zero Started the idea of infinity Created the symbols for 1-9 which replaced Roman Numerals

Indian Influence on Science Big supporters of Astronomy Mapped movements of stars and planets Said the Earth revolved around the Sun Understood gravity First to talk about atoms making up everything Skilled doctors-fixed broken bones, performed surgeries (plastic surgery), created many tools that are modified today Believed in removing the causes for disease and not just treating the problem