1. Chapter 8.3 Early Indian Empires
Main Idea The Mauryas and Guptas created powerful empires that united much of India, while trading kingdoms thrived in southern India.
Objectives
How did the Mauryan Empire unify much of India, and who were its key rulers?
What regional kingdoms ruled India after the collapse of the Mauryan Empire?
Which key rulers and events shaped the Gupta Empire?

2. I. The Mauryan Empire
300s BC - Many small kingdoms existed across India; one dominant kingdom was Magadha near the Ganges River

3. A. Rise of the Mauryan Empire
326 BC - Alexander the Great defeated an Indian army but soon left; Alexander’s conquest inspired Chandragupta Maurya

4. A. Rise of the Mauryan Empire
321 BC - Chandragupta seized power and established the Mauryan Empire
Mural depicting a scene from the court of the ancient Indian Emperor Chandragupta Maurya

5. A. Rise of the Mauryan Empire
He raised a 600,000 man army with chariots and war elephants; by 303 BC the Mauryan empire controlled northern India

6. A. Rise of the Mauryan Empire
He created a centralized government and bureaucracy, divided the empire into districts and had loyalists rule them

7. B. Rule under Ashoka
301 BC - Chandragupta gave up throne to become Jainist monk; his son became emperor, followed by grandson Ashoka in 270 BC

8. B. Rule under Ashoka
The Mauryan empire reached height under Ashoka; he expanded empire through warfare & gained control of most of India

9. B. Rule under Ashoka
The violence of war soon appalled Ashoka – he abandoned conquest and converted to Buddhism
Ashoka proclaimed his belief in nonviolence and advocated tolerance of all faiths. He erected numerous Buddhist monasteries and stupas, regulated the slaughter of animals, and softened the harsh laws of his predecessors. He sent Buddhist missionaries throughout India and its adjacent lands and as far as Syria, Egypt, and Greece. India prospered and art flourished under the reign of Asoka, who is most celebrated for his elevation of Buddhism from a simple Indian sect to a world religion.

10. B. Rule under Ashoka
He worked to improve people’s lives; his laws were carved into stone pillars set up in public places

11. C. Decline of Mauryan
The empire began to decline following death of Ashoka in 232 BC; its last emperor was killed in 184 BC and empire collapsed

12. C. Decline of Mauryan
India again divided into many kingdoms, including the wealthy, sea-trading Tamil kingdoms in the south

13. II. The Gupta Empire
c. AD the Gupta dynasty reunited northern India, Indian society prospered, and Hinduism grew in popularity

14. II. The Gupta Empire
Gupta dynasty rose to power in region of Magadha; its founder was Chandra Gupta I

15. II. The Gupta Empire
The heirs of Chandra Gupta I expanded Gupta power; empire reached its height under Chandra Gupta II

16. II. The Gupta Empire
AD 375 to Chandra Gupta II expanded his empire & strengthened the economy – became a time of prosperity, cultural achievement

17. II. The Gupta Empire
Hinduism became the main religion - rulers built Hindu temples; Buddhism began losing its influence

18. II. The Gupta Empire
Late 400s: Gupta control began to weaken - regions broke away and the White Huns from Central Asia began invading India

19. II. The Gupta Empire
Trade was disrupted & defense of the empire drained the treasury. In 550, Gupta rule ended and India broke-up into small, regional kingdoms