QUICKWRITE If you were to join one of the Indian religions, which would you join and why? Be sure to include examples from your notes/worksheet.

Maurya and Gupta Empires

Rise of the Mauryan Empire Magadha kingdom united India in 540 B.C. Overrun by the Persians Able to regain the kingdom later

Chandragupta Maurya Magadha was declining A powerful young adventurer took over Set up Mauryan Empire (320-185 B.C.) Lasted for 150 years Raised an army of 600,000 with chariots and elephants Conquered all of India (up to Hindu Kush)

Changdragupta Maurya Built a great palace at Pataliputra on the Ganges River Slept in a different room every night Meant to avoid assassination Established a rigid bureaucracy (government organizations) Extensive spy network Standardized weights and measures Created efficient postal system

Asoka C. Asoka’s Enlightened Rule (274 B.C.) 1. Chandragupta’s grandson 2. Started with a violent expansion

Late Kingdoms of India Please READ pp.37-42 (9.Mauryans) ANSWER the questions handed out in class

Asoka 3. Rode out to view the battlefield, sickened by bloody and maimed bodies; Became Buddhist a. Aided the spread of Buddhism (sent missionaries) b. Improved living conditions i. Shaded roads with trees, added rest houses ii. Issued laws stressing concern for other humans iii. Built hospitals, dug wells c. Prompted cultural and political advancements

Decline 4. After death, Mauryan Empire declined a. Sons fought over throne b. Invaders attacked northern provinces

Asoka Reading Schoology “Unit 4 – India, Africa” Asoka Reading What evidence in the edicts suggests that Asoka was a vegetarian? According to Asoka, what is the result of religious intolerance? In your opinion, what are the major themes of Asoka's edicts?

II. The Gupta Empire (320-550 A.D.) A. Gupta family to power in Magadha B. Expanded their territory through intermarriage C. Religion 1. Dominant: Hinduism 2. Still supported Buddhism D. Called the “Golden Age” 1. Great Leader: Chandra Gupta II 2. Hinduism inspired art and architecture 3. Court welcomed poets, philosophers, scientists, and playwrights E. Invaders from central Asia/wars drained the treasury

III. Ancient Indian Life and Culture Economy and Society During the Mauryans, rajas had most of the wealth Ancient India made its living through trade Silks Ivory Cotton Wool Laws of Manu: Manusmrti (ancient text of Hindu laws) Women Obeyed father, husband, or son No land ownership Could not study sacred texts suttee: must commit suicide when husband died Men could have more than one wife: polygyny Origin of the caste system

B. Cultural Achievements 1. Art and Architecture a. stupa: a dome-shaped shrine b. hold Buddhist objects and artifacts 2. Education a. Very advanced b. Studied the Vedas c. Learned astronomy, mathematics, warfare, and gov’t i. First to use algebra ii. Invented the concept of zero and infinity d. Alana: famous Buddhist university 3. Medicine a. inoculation: the practice of infecting a person with a mild form of a disease, in order to establish immunity b. Built free hospitals c. Physicians practiced cleanliness before operations