1. India
1500B.C.-185B.C

2. 1500B.C.-321B.C.
Aryan invaders reached the Indus Valley in approximately 1500 B.C. It is not known what happened to the previous inhabitants.
India consisted of separate kingdoms as the geography made it difficult to unite.
There were three major geographic regions in India:
The Northern Plain
The Deccan Plateau
The coastal Plains

3. Hinduism One of the oldest and most complex religions in the world
Grew out of the beliefs of the people of the Indus Valley and those of the Aryan invaders.
Refer to workbook to describe each of the following:
Brahman
Reincarnation
Karma
Dharma
Caste
Vedas
Upanishads

4. Maurya Empire (321B.C.-185B.C.)
Chandragupta Maurya, who first came to power in the Ganges Valley, moved southward, conquering and uniting India into one kingdom for the first time in its history.

5. Maurya Empire (321B.C.-185B.C.)
Well-Organized Government A- bureaucracy = system of managing gov’t through departments that are run by appointed officials B- officials collected taxes & oversaw building of roads & harbors(to help trade)

6. Maurya Empire (321B.C.-185B.C.)
Although Maurya rule was efficient, it was also harsh
Secret police reported on crime, corruption and dissent

7. Maurya Empire (321B.C.-185B.C.) Asoka & Reform
A- Grandson of Chandragupta
B- Asoka was Buddhist = tolerant
C- peace & prosperity

8. Buddhism
Founded in India in the 500’s B.C. by Prince Siddharta Gautama. He was born a Hindu.
Refer to the workbook to describe the following:
Buddha
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
Nirvana
Tripitaka

9. Maurya Empire (321B.C.-185B.C.)
Maurya Contributions A- united India B- peace, prosperity & trade flourished C- capital, Pataliputra, was largest and richest of its time, with schools and a library D- education was respected and highly advanced E- spreading of Buddhism by missionaries