Maurya and Gupta Empires

Indian Society People lived in the caste system (REVIEW!) People lived in the caste system (REVIEW!) Indians lived in extended families Indians lived in extended families Women have less rights then men – arranged marriages, no property Women have less rights then men – arranged marriages, no property Practice of the Settee Practice of the Settee

Maurya Empire Threats from outside invaders like Alexander the Great (327 BC) helped create the need for an empire in India …

Maurya Empire Chandragupta Maurya Established Mauryan EmpireEstablished Mauryan Empire Capital at Pataliputra (most lavish city in the world)Capital at Pataliputra (most lavish city in the world) Well-organized bureaucratic governmentWell-organized bureaucratic government Secret police force maintained orderSecret police force maintained order Leader feared assassination – focused on personal protectionLeader feared assassination – focused on personal protection

Ashoka Maurya “Philosopher King” Maurya “Philosopher King” Early years – powerful raja – engaged in war, death, and destruction Early years – powerful raja – engaged in war, death, and destruction Converted to Buddhism Converted to Buddhism Built Rock Edicts to commemorate places important to Buddhist history Built Rock Edicts to commemorate places important to Buddhist history Public Works – built roads, hospitals, and cared for children Public Works – built roads, hospitals, and cared for children Brought peace and wealth Brought peace and wealth Decline of Maurya Empire by 185 BC Decline of Maurya Empire by 185 BC

ASHOKA

Mauryan Empire

Asoka’s Honors Buddhism

Buddhism in India

Between the Empires… Trade develops – Silk Road Trade develops – Silk Road Intellectual, social, and economic development throughout India… Intellectual, social, and economic development throughout India… Tamil Empires Tamil Empires Kushan Kingdoms Kushan Kingdoms

Gupta Empire Known as the “Golden Age” Known as the “Golden Age” Pataliputra Capital City Pataliputra Capital City Strong central government, but the local governments retained power Strong central government, but the local governments retained power Economy based on trade and farming Economy based on trade and farming Silk Road trade / Religious pilgrims brought wealth from China in tradeSilk Road trade / Religious pilgrims brought wealth from China in trade Many folk tales written in Sanskrit Many folk tales written in Sanskrit Peaceful and prosperous time period Peaceful and prosperous time period

Gupta Empire

Gupta Currency

Gupta Learning Religiously based education – Hindu and Buddhist Religiously based education – Hindu and Buddhist Studied math, physics, and astronomy Studied math, physics, and astronomy Developed “Arabic” numbers, concept of zero, and 10-based decimal system Developed “Arabic” numbers, concept of zero, and 10-based decimal system Skilled surgeons and made advanced operating tools Skilled surgeons and made advanced operating tools Vaccinated people for smallpox Vaccinated people for smallpox Wrote the Mahabharata and Ramayana Wrote the Mahabharata and Ramayana

Gupta Arts and Architecture Rajas built stone Hindu temples – people often moved into the area which formed cities Rajas built stone Hindu temples – people often moved into the area which formed cities Buddhists built stupas to house remains of holy individuals as well as pillars and rock chambers Buddhists built stupas to house remains of holy individuals as well as pillars and rock chambers Elaborate carvings decorated parts of both groups’ religious structures Elaborate carvings decorated parts of both groups’ religious structures

Hindu Temple

Buddhist Stupa at Hill of Sanchi