1. Aim: Did the Mauryan or the Gupta achieve a Golden Age in India?
Do Now: Draw nothing. Then draw infinity.
NY State Standards 2
Common Core RS 5, 9, WS 2

3. I Mauryan Empire (323-185 BCE)
A) Chandragupta Maurya created the 1st Indian Empire, and defeated the last remaining Hellenistic rulers (from Alexander the Great’s empire). B) King Asoka (Chandragupta’s grandson), ruled BCE. Originally a Hindu, he converted to Buddhism in 262 BCE and then tried to spread Buddhism throughout his empire.
King Asoka
Chandragupta Maurya

4. Pataliputra

5. Mauryan Empire Continued…
C) King Asoka erected the Edicts of Asoka (stone pillars) with inscribed Buddhist beliefs and advice for law officers.
“This edict has been written for the following purpose: that the judicial officers of the city may strive to do their duty and that the people under them might not suffer unjust imprisonment or harsh treatment…”
Why did Asoka convert to Buddhism? Allegedly Asoka was so horrified in 261 BCE after having massacred over 300,000 people in a battle that this is the moment he turned to Buddhism.

6. Sanchi Stupa (Buddhist Temple) built by King Asoka

7. II Rise of the Gupta (320 – 550 CE)
The Gupta period is known as the golden age in Indian History. Chandragupta II gained territory militarily and through strategic political marriages. He was a patron of art, culture, literature and music. His son Kumaragupta built the Nalanda University.
Chandragupta II
Nalanda University

8. Unlike the Mauryan Empire under Asoka, the Gupta was largely Hindu.

9. III The Golden Age of the Gupta
Created our modern number system, including decimals, zero and infinity. These numbers would later be spread to Europe by Arab traders (why they’re called “Arabic” numerals).
2. Vaccinations for smallpox. Plastic surgery!
3. Aryabhatta was an astronomer. He discovered the earth rotates on its axis and the approximation of pie (π).

11. Iron Pillar, New Delhi, India

12. Vaccinations for Smallpox
"Take the fluid of the pock on the udder of the cow...upon the point of a lancer, and lance with it the arms between the shoulders and elbows until the blood appears; then, mixing the fluid with the blood, the fever of the small-pox will be produced.
–Dhanwantari, circa 550 CE

13. IV Sati
A) Sati was the practice of throwing a widow onto her husband’s funeral fire. Widows were not allowed to remarry. It was also believed that the wife had bad karma which caused her husband’s death, and her soul would be reincarnated. B) Sati was a cultural, and not a traditional Hindu practice.
Sati is illegal today, unfortunately the burning of widows and even of brides still happens.

14. Summary Questions
What were the main achievements of the Mauryan Dynasty? Explain why for each.
What were the main achievements of the Gupta Dynasty? Explain why for each.
List at least 2 ways in which the Mauryan and Gupta were different.
What is sati and why was it practiced? Why do you think it was practiced? What does it tell you about the role of women in Indian society at this time?

15. Key Vocabulary Arabic Numerals Sati Aryabhatta Smallpox
Chandragupta Maurya
Stupa
Edicts of Asoka
Vaccination
Gupta Empire
Infinity
King Asoka
Mauryan Empire
Pataliputra