IMPERIAL INDIA The Mauryan Empire, 324 – 184 BCE The core kingdom of MagadhaThe core kingdom of Magadha strategic location plentiful resources. Founded by Chandragupta MauryaFounded by Chandragupta Maurya Tradition maintains that a Machiavellian Brahmin, Kautilya, guided Chandragupta.

IMPERIAL INDIA The Mauryan Empire, 324 – 184 BCE Capital at the walled and moated city of Pataliputra.Capital at the walled and moated city of Pataliputra. The imperial establishment supported by:The imperial establishment supported by: A 25 percent tax on the agricultural products of the empire State monopolies on mines, shipbuilding, and armaments.

IMPERIAL INDIA The Mauryan Empire, 324 – 184 BCE Emperor Ashoka (r. 269–232 B.C.E.). Shaken by the carnage in a brutal war of expansion in the south, converted to Buddhism. His Buddhist policies of government are preserved in edicts that were inscribed on rocks and polished sandstone.

IMPERIAL INDIA Commerce & Culture in an era of Fragmentation The Mauryan empire collapsed in 184 B.C.E.The Mauryan empire collapsed in 184 B.C.E. Northern India fell into a period of political fragmentation:Northern India fell into a period of political fragmentation: Accompanied by economic development in which guilds of artisans and merchants played a dominant role.

IMPERIAL INDIA Commerce & Culture in an era of Fragmentation Period of fragmentation was also characterized by cultural development.Period of fragmentation was also characterized by cultural development. Included the writing of Ramayana & Mahabharata:Included the writing of Ramayana & Mahabharata: Bhagavad-Gita, addresses the contradiction between duty to society and duty to one’s own soul. The period also saw developments in herbal medicine and linguistics.The period also saw developments in herbal medicine and linguistics.

IMPERIAL INDIA Commerce & Culture in an era of Fragmentation Historians of southern India consider the period from the third century B.C.E. to the third century C.E., dominated by three often feuding Tamil kingdoms—the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras—a “classical” period for Tamil art and literature.Historians of southern India consider the period from the third century B.C.E. to the third century C.E., dominated by three often feuding Tamil kingdoms—the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras—a “classical” period for Tamil art and literature.

IMPERIAL INDIA The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Like the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire began with the kingdom of Magadha.Like the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire began with the kingdom of Magadha. Like the Mauryan rulers, the Guptas controlled iron deposits, established state monopolies, and collected a 25 percent agricultural tax.Like the Mauryan rulers, the Guptas controlled iron deposits, established state monopolies, and collected a 25 percent agricultural tax.

IMPERIAL INDIA The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Use the army to control the core of their empireUse the army to control the core of their empire Provincial administration was left to governors:Provincial administration was left to governors: Posts become hereditary with appointments based on kinship groups

IMPERIAL INDIA The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Women’s experience during the Gupta period:Women’s experience during the Gupta period: Lost the right to inherit and own property Married very young Widow was required to burn herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. (sati) Ways to escape this low status: join a religious community to be a member of an extremely wealthy family be a courtesan.

IMPERIAL INDIA The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Brahmins regain power, influence, and wealthBrahmins regain power, influence, and wealth The classic form of the Hindu temple, with exterior courtyard, inner shrine, and wall decorationsThe classic form of the Hindu temple, with exterior courtyard, inner shrine, and wall decorations

IMPERIAL INDIA The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Gupta India was linked to the outside world by extensive trade networksGupta India was linked to the outside world by extensive trade networks Trade with Southeast and East Asia particularly flourished.Trade with Southeast and East Asia particularly flourished.

IMPERIAL INDIA The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. In 550 C.E., the Gupta Empire collapsed under the pressure of nomadic invaders from the northwest.In 550 C.E., the Gupta Empire collapsed under the pressure of nomadic invaders from the northwest. Harsha Vardhana (r. 606–647 C.E), the ruler of the region around Delhi, briefly restored imperial power. After Harsha’s death, northern India again fell into political fragmentation and remained divided until the Muslim invasions of the eleventh and twelfth centuries.