India Unites: The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties

Standard  SSWH2 The student will identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE. Element  a. Describe the development of Indian civilization; include the rise and fall of the Maurya Empire, the “Golden Age” under Gupta, and the emperor Ashoka.  e. Explain how the geography of the Indian Subcontinent contributed to the movement of people and ideas.

Aryan Age ends with Invasion of Darius and Alexander

India begins to Unite c BCE Persia first united NW India under Cyrus and Darius

Extent of Maurya Empire at establishment

Politics Founded by Chandragupta Maurya ( 324 to 301 B.C.) Increased centralized government control over regional kingdoms large army of 700,000 secret police to watch for treason  301 BCE gave up his throne to & became a Jain monk (extreme Buddhism)

Chandragupta Maurya  Created the first great Indian Empire in 321 B.C.  Great Capital at Pataliputra  Schools  Libraries  Palaces  Temples  Wall around the city – 530 towers and 64 gates Mauryan Statuette, 2nd Century BC

Chandragupta 321 B.C. – 185 B.C.  First gained power in the Ganges Valley  Conquered Northern India  His son and grandson later pushed into Southern India to add to the empire  321 B.C. to 185 B.C. Maurya dynasty ruled over vast, united empire

Chandragupta 321 B.C. – 185 B.C  Order maintained through well-organized bureaucracy  Royal officials supervised the building of roads and harbors  Officials collected taxes and managed state owned factories and shipyards  People sought justice in royal courts

Chandragupta 321 B.C. – 185 B.C  Rule was effective but harsh  Brutal secret police reported on crime, corruption, and dissent  Had specially trained women warriors to guard the palace

Ashoka – 268 B.C. – 232 B.C.  Most honored Maurya Emperor  The grandson of Chandragupta  Became emperor in 268 B.C.  Conquered the Deccan Region known as Kalinga  Brutal military commander who extended the Empire throughout S. and E. India

Battle of Kalinga 260 BC  Battle of Kalinga BC  100,000 Kalingans died  150,000 Kalingans driven from their home  More died from disease & starvation in the aftermath of the destruction brought on by the war  “What have I done?”  Ashoka and many Indian leaders converted to Buddhism after this battle and became pacifists  He spent the rest of his life encouraging non- violence, moderation and Buddhist principles to India

Ashoka – 268 B.C. – 232 B.C  Set up stone pillars across India with laws inscribed upon them.  Also promised a righteous government  Rule brought peace and prosperity  Helped unite India  Built Hospitals and Buddhist shrines  Roads and rest houses for travelers

Asoka’s Buddhist Rock and Pillar Edicts  spread Buddhist principles  scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan.  Each pillar is 40’-50’ high.  helped bring order and unity to India

Ashoka – 268 B.C. – 232 B.C  Became a vegetarian  Limited Hindu animal sacrifices  Sent missionaries to spread Buddhism across India and to Sri Lanka  Preached tolerance for other religions