2. Start of the Mauryan Empire
The Aryans that settled in Northern India founded a kingdom called Maghada
Indian society in Maghada used caste system for hundreds of years to organize society
Brahmins -> Sudras (Untouchables)
321 B.C. - Chandragupta Maurya conquers most of India and Pakistan– Maurya Empire
Divided into provinces – Each province is governed by a prince in the capital of the province
Each prince is advised by a council of ministers
Extensive spy system was used by the Emperor to monitor the princes
Empire was kept afloat due to taxes on landowners and crops

3. Chandragupta Maurya

4. Ashoka the Great
Asoka Chandragupta’s grandson rules Mauryan empire at its strongest
Originally relied on bloody conquest to expand empire/put down rebellion
After bringing the kingdom of Kalinga to heel, he became heavy with guilt and converted to Buddhism – turned away from violence
Practiced religious toleration—funded Buddhist temples/missionaries
Sent missionaries as far as Sri Lanka and Bactria
Many of his subjects converted to Buddhism as well
Revamped tax system, abolished slavery, engaged in diplomacy

6. Breakup of the Mauryan Dynasty
232 B.C. – Ashoka dies - kingdoms in central India soon break away from Mauryan Empire
One to Three Rule
None of the following emperors had the ability to keep the empire together like Ashoka did
Army grew idle – didn’t train – while the govt. was ineffective
The Kushan Empire (Afghanistan) successfully invades India (180 B.C.) – controls a lot of Maurya territory

7. Trade in Goods and Ideas
India became an important trading crossroads
Silk and other goods passed from China through Northern India
India got spices and gemstones from southeast Asia – traded them with the Mediterranean (Romans)
Goods were carried by ships from India to the Persian Gulf (Indian Ocean Sea Lanes)

8. The Gupta Empire
Second major dynasty is started by Chandra Gupta marries into a royal family in north India in A.D. 320
Starts Gupta Empire—India’s second empire - Height of Indian/Hindu culture
Built on the foundations left behind by the Kushans
Not as big as the Maurya dynasty however
By this time, India had extensive contact with European/Middle Eastern merchants

9. Gupta Achievements
Gupta built hospitals and financed medical advancements – transplanting skin grafts, performing inoculations
Developed numerals 0-9 (Arabic numerals)
Built universities – supported Hindu studies/temples

10. Decline of Gupta
Gupta were unable to organize centralized govt. – had hands-off approach
Far-flung provinces of the empire began to drift away from the Empire
Gupta was repeatedly invaded by the White Huns; nomads from Central Asia/West China
By 550 A.D. – White Huns conquered Northern India and destroyed Indian trade
It was the last great Eurasian (in some ways Classical as well) empire to fall in the A.D. period.