Interactive Notebook Setup 9/26/2017 Maurya and Gupta Empires This will be one page

Background Background Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishments

Background Chandragupta Maurya created the 1st unified Indian Empire Maurya dynasty (321–184 BCE) Took advantage of power vacuum left by Alexander Hindu belief/Caste System remained from Vedic Indian Chandragupta and Asoka only real important leaders

The Maurya Empire 321 BCE – 185 BCE

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Maurya was able to rule such a large area by using a well organized bureaucracy Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement He feared assassination  food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. 301 BCE  gave up his throne & became a Jain.

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Chandragupta’s advisor named Kautilya, a former member of the Brahmin caste wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the Arthashastra. A guide for the king and his ministers: Supports royal power The great evil in society is anarchy Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when necessary!

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Grandson of Chandragupta Ashoka represents high point of Mauryan Empire, ruled 268-232 BCE Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south Positive leadership integrated Indian society Established capital at Pataliputra Better known as a governor than conqueror

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Expanded major military conquest via the use of HUGE military Estimates as high as 600,000 men! Major fortresses would be built to maintain control of areas recently conquered

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Asoka converted to and supported the spread of Buddhism by missionaries Wrote universal law code on rocks or pillars Influenced by Buddhism, but respected Hinduism

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Issued coins for trade Encouraged and participated in trade on the Silk Road by building roads and rest houses

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments City of Pataliputra was the capital and center of: Trade Art Education Political administration Buddhist Culture/Religion

Background After the Maurya collapsed India fell into disunity and disorder Regional kingdoms were common for 400 years Known as Golden Age of India, 321 CE–550 CE Never grew to the size of the Mauryan Empire

Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment After defeating rival kingdoms he would allow a defeated kings to retain his rule by paying the Gupta a determined price, called a tribute. Became Tributary States Most decisions and policy making was left up to local leaders Would negotiate with/intermarry local leaders to maintain peace

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment Gupta Empire was a time of Hindu renewal and celebration Child marriage common (8 year old girls married to men in 20s) Women encouraged to remain in private sphere

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment Even though Hinduism was brought back, religious tolerance of Buddhism continued HUGE support of art, poetry, & architecture influenced by Hinduism/Buddhism

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment Supported trade on Silk Road and Indian Ocean Trade Network Increasing economic diversification challenges simplistic caste system Lead to the creation of Jatis or sub-caste Based on specific jobs

International Trade Routes during the Guptas