Start of the Mauryan Empire The Aryans that settled in Northern India founded a kingdom called Maghada Indian society in Maghada used caste system for hundreds of years to organize society Brahmins -> Sudras (Untouchables) 321 B.C. - Chandragupta Maurya conquers most of India and Pakistan– Maurya Empire Divided into provinces – Each province is governed by a prince in the capital of the province Each prince is advised by a council of ministers Extensive spy system was used by the Emperor to monitor the princes Empire was kept afloat due to taxes on landowners and crops

Chandragupta Maurya

Ashoka the Great Asoka Chandragupta’s grandson rules Mauryan empire at its strongest Originally relied on bloody conquest to expand empire/put down rebellion After bringing the kingdom of Kalinga to heel, he became heavy with guilt and converted to Buddhism – turned away from violence Practiced religious toleration—funded Buddhist temples/missionaries Sent missionaries as far as Sri Lanka and Bactria Many of his subjects converted to Buddhism as well Revamped tax system, abolished slavery, engaged in diplomacy

Breakup of the Mauryan Dynasty 232 B.C. – Ashoka dies - kingdoms in central India soon break away from Mauryan Empire One to Three Rule None of the following emperors had the ability to keep the empire together like Ashoka did Army grew idle – didn’t train – while the govt. was ineffective The Kushan Empire (Afghanistan) successfully invades India (180 B.C.) – controls a lot of Maurya territory

Trade in Goods and Ideas India became an important trading crossroads Silk and other goods passed from China through Northern India India got spices and gemstones from southeast Asia – traded them with the Mediterranean (Romans) Goods were carried by ships from India to the Persian Gulf (Indian Ocean Sea Lanes)

The Gupta Empire Second major dynasty is started by Chandra Gupta marries into a royal family in north India in A.D. 320 Starts Gupta Empire—India’s second empire - Height of Indian/Hindu culture Built on the foundations left behind by the Kushans Not as big as the Maurya dynasty however By this time, India had extensive contact with European/Middle Eastern merchants

Gupta Achievements Gupta built hospitals and financed medical advancements – transplanting skin grafts, performing inoculations Developed numerals 0-9 (Arabic numerals) Built universities – supported Hindu studies/temples

Decline of Gupta Gupta were unable to organize centralized govt. – had hands-off approach Far-flung provinces of the empire began to drift away from the Empire Gupta was repeatedly invaded by the White Huns; nomads from Central Asia/West China By 550 A.D. – White Huns conquered Northern India and destroyed Indian trade It was the last great Eurasian (in some ways Classical as well) empire to fall in the A.D. period.