1. Mauryan Empire
India’s First Empire

2. Review of India
Where was first civilization in India that we discussed?
Why was this civilization so mysterious?
What was the climate of India like?
Monsoons – what were they?

3. Geography of India Subcontinent – separate tectonic plate on Asia
Separated from Asia by mountains – Hindu Kush, Himalayas
2 major rivers – Indus and Ganges
Monsoons – seasonal winds that bring pouring rain to India

4. First Empire in India
Empire – civilization ruled by one person that focuses on expanding and controlling other civilizations
Mauryan Empire – Founded around 300 BCE by Chandragupta
Settled on Ganges river, expanded from there
Divided empire into 4 sections – bureaucracy
Each section had smaller districts with someone in charge
First empire to unite most of India

5. Asoka Chandragupta’s grandson, Asoka took over in 269 BCE
Began by fighting war against rivals, the Kalinga
Wiped them out
Didn’t feel good about it, decided to change his ways

6. Buddhism Asoka wants to become peaceful, converts to Buddhism
Built roads to connect empire
Decides to establish laws throughout empire
Known as Rock Edicts of Asoka
Encouraged peace from his people
Also encouraged religious tolerance

7. End of Mauryan Empire
Asoka dies in 232 BCE – no strong leader to take over
Mauryan Empire falls apart

8. Spread of Buddhism
Asoka encouraged people to spread Buddhism outside of India
People in China especially liked Buddhism
First monastery in China founded in 65 CE
What is it about Buddhism that would make it so appealing?

9. Gupta Empire
500 years after death of Asoka, next big Indian empire begins – the Guptas
Chandra Gupta (no relation to Chandragupta) founds Gupta Empire
Doesn’t take power by conquering
Marries into royal family in 320 CE

10. Return to Hinduism After Asoka converted to Buddhism, Hinduism faded
Hinduism returns with Guptas
Religion too complicated – needed to be a priest to understand it
Hindu followers simplified religion – still polytheistic, but focused on less gods
Brahma, creator
Vishnu, preserver
Shiva, destroyer
Simplified caste system created and focused on 4 groups – the Laws of Manu

11. Highly Advanced
Under Guptas, India advanced in culture and science – GOLDEN AGE
Medicine – capable of surgery, injections
Writing – drama, poetry became popular
Most popular poet was Kalidasa
Astronomy geniuses – navigated on seas using the stars
Created calendar, used hours, 7 day week
Concept of zero began with Guptas
Also figured out pi to 4 decimal places

12. Summaries of two empires
Mauryan Empire
1st to unite India
Famous leader – Asoka
Buddhist and tolerant of other religions
Gupta Empire
Return to Hinduism
Lots of scientific advancements
Known as Golden Age of India