Powerful Empires in India Section 3 Powerful Empires in India

Maurya Empire (321 BC to 185 BC) Founder > Chandragupta Maurya > forges a dynasty Well-organized bureaucracy Rule was effective but harsh Secret police reported corruption, crime, and dissent Most honored emperor > Asoka Forged his empire through a long bloody war Ends up converting to Buddhism and renouncing violence Paves the way for Buddhism in Asia His rule brought peace and prosperity After his death Maurya Empire declines

Kingdoms develop in the Deccan Plateau People of the Deccan Plateau were Dravidians Aryan culture from north will blend with Dravidians in the South Example of a well-known kingdom Tamil Kingdom Traded with the Romans

Gupta Empire (Golden Age 320 AD to 520 AD) Organized strong central government Brought peace and prosperity Trade and farming flourished Period of great cultural achievement (golden age) Learning important > students studied religion along with an multitude of subjects Created a decimal system and the concept of zero Medicine Cures for illnesses (vaccinating people for smallpox) Surgeries Expansion in literature > folk tales and fables Decline due to > weak rulers, civil war, and foreign invaders

Family/Village Life Ideal family > joint family > parents, children, and offspring shared a household Patriarchal > father the head > great authority Children were trained in the traditions and duties of their caste Parents arranged marriages Women enjoyed more rights in Aryan society Women restricted to the home in Gupta times > primary duties were to marry and raise children The village was the heart of daily life Each village included people of different castes Had a headman and council Farming highly dependent on the monsoons