1. Classical India
Aryans Invaders Notes

2. Aryans Transform India
Aryans, a group of Indo-European people (Greek dissent), came through NW mountain passes into the Indus River Valley around 1500 BCE
Left almost no archaeological record, but their sacred text, the Vedas, left an accurate picture

4. Aryans Transform India
Mahabharata, a great epic, reflects struggles that took place in India as Aryans moved south

5. Aryans Transform India
Called the Indians “dasas” (dark), who were shorter and spoke a different language
Formed the caste system, with the top three levels composing of Aryans, then the Indians

6. Classical india
Social System Notes

7. Brahmins (priests) Warriors Aryan Peasants/Traders Laborers Untouchables (Butchers, gravediggers, trash collectors)

8. Classical india
India Empires Notes

9. Mauryan - Important Rulers
Chandragupta Maurya: gathered an army, killed Nanda king, in 321 BCE claimed the throne
Kautilya: advisor who wrote the ruler’s handbook, Arthasastra

10. Mauryan - Important Rulers
Asoka: Chandragupta’s grandson who claimed the throne in 269 BCE and brought Mauryan Empire to its greatest heights; kept India politically unifed

11. Mauryan - Accomplishments
divided into four provinces, each with a prince and local districts
Asoka was violent at first, switched to Buddhist idea of “peace to all beings”

12. Mauryan - Accomplishments
extensive roads, watering places and rest houses for travelers, religious toleration
Free hospitals and veterinary clinics

13. Mauryan - Decline Asoka died in 232 BCE
Regional princes challenged imperial government
a flood of new people fleeing from Asia, who introduced new languages and customs

14. Gupta - Important Rulers
Chandra Gupta I: came to power by marrying an old royal family, took control in 320 CE
- his son, Samudra Gupta, became king in 335 CE, expanded the empire through war and conquest

15. Gupta - Important Rulers
his son, Chandra Gupta II, added Mediterranean trade to empire and used peaceful means to expand, like treaties and marriage

16. Gupta - Accomplishments
perfected stable village life with specific districts for merchants, irrigation, and reservoirs
expanded throughout the Indian subcontinent and spread Hindu culture

17. Gupta - Accomplishments
advancements in astronomy, modern numerals, the zero, the decimal system, and the value of pi
important medical guides were compiled

18. Gupta - Decline Chandra Gupta II died
a wave of Huns invaders came into northern India
split into smaller kingdoms that were eventually overrun by Huns and other central Asian nomads

19. Exit Ticket
Rip a piece of notebook in half, share with a partner:
In a strong paragraph, explain whether you think the Gupta Empire or the Mauryan Empire were more successful. Include a introduction sentence, a thesis statement and atleast 4 supporting sentences.