1. Interactive Notebook Setup
9/26/2017
Maurya and Gupta Empires
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2. Background Background Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishments

3. Background Chandragupta Maurya created the 1st unified Indian Empire
Maurya dynasty (321–184 BCE)
Took advantage of power vacuum left by Alexander
Hindu belief/Caste System remained from Vedic Indian
Chandragupta and Asoka only real important leaders

4. The Maurya Empire
321 BCE – 185 BCE

5. Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
Maurya was able to rule such a large area by using a well organized bureaucracy
Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement
He feared assassination  food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc.
301 BCE  gave up his throne & became a Jain.

6. Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
Chandragupta’s advisor named Kautilya, a former member of the Brahmin caste wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the Arthashastra.
A guide for the king and his ministers:
Supports royal power
The great evil in society is anarchy
Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when necessary!

7. Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
Grandson of Chandragupta
Ashoka represents high point of Mauryan Empire, ruled BCE
Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south
Positive leadership integrated Indian society
Established capital at Pataliputra
Better known as a governor than conqueror

8. Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
Expanded major military conquest via the use of HUGE military
Estimates as high as 600,000 men!
Major fortresses would be built to maintain control of areas recently conquered

9. Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
Asoka converted to and supported the spread of Buddhism by missionaries
Wrote universal law code on rocks or pillars
Influenced by Buddhism, but respected Hinduism

10. Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
Issued coins for trade
Encouraged and participated in trade on the Silk Road by building roads and rest houses

11. Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments
City of Pataliputra was the capital and center of:
Trade
Art
Education
Political administration
Buddhist Culture/Religion

13. Background
After the Maurya collapsed India fell into disunity and disorder
Regional kingdoms were common for 400 years
Known as Golden Age of India, 321 CE–550 CE
Never grew to the size of the Mauryan Empire

14. Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE

15. Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment
After defeating rival kingdoms he would allow a defeated kings to retain his rule by paying the Gupta a determined price, called a tribute.
Became Tributary States
Most decisions and policy making was left up to local leaders
Would negotiate with/intermarry local leaders to maintain peace

16. Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment
Gupta Empire was a time of Hindu renewal and celebration
Child marriage common (8 year old girls married to men in 20s)
Women encouraged to remain in private sphere

17. Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment
Even though Hinduism was brought back, religious tolerance of Buddhism continued
HUGE support of art, poetry, & architecture influenced by Hinduism/Buddhism

22. Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment
Supported trade on Silk Road and Indian Ocean Trade Network
Increasing economic diversification challenges simplistic caste system
Lead to the creation of Jatis or sub-caste
Based on specific jobs

23. International Trade Routes during the Guptas