1. Mauryan & Gupta Empires
Kieran Short

2. Mauryan Beginnings
Chandragupta Maurya (top 3 classes) gained control of the Magadha (influential area) and eventually expanded into India’s 1st empire
After fall of Greek Empire (death of Alexander the Great) – Maurya was able to extend control over most of the subcontinent

3. Mauryan Empire
Arthashastra – guide to political success, written by Brahmin guide of Chandragupta – advocates mandala or foreign policy theory
One fourth of value of harvest given to king/government – king used family & friends to manage administration districts
Capital is Pataliputra (modern Patna) governed by 6 committees, international connections

4. Ashoka & Beyond
Chandragupta grandson – greatly extended the empire but at high human cost, he was upset by this so he converted to Buddhism and strict nonviolence & morality
first deciphered Indian writing, Edicts of Ashoka
Mauryan collapsed 184 BCE – next 500 yrs characterized by fragmentation

6. Next 500 Years…
Foreigners dominated the Northwest & even extended into the east and south at times – Greeks, Iranians and Chinese
Although fragmented, still signs of social, intellectual and economic development last BCE greatest Indian epics (Ramayana & Mahabharata) finalized – reflect Vedic Age
Bhagavad-Gita resolve issue between duty to society and to yourself
Science = herbal remedies, Writing system = Sanskrit

7. Gupta Empire CE
Similar to/modeled after Mauryan grew out of Magadha, founder named Chandra Gupta (but he stole it), capital Pataliaputra
Never controlled as much land as Mauryan but able to rack up some serious territory
Economic navigated important trade routes, agriculture, control of iron deposits, required 25% tax (like Maur)

8. Gupta Government
Not as effective as a centralized government outside the core – governors (often times corrupt and greedy) pretty much allowed free reign on how the administered their regions
Theatre –State tried to persuade outside areas to follow their lead by having elaborate ceremonies and rituals, wanted to attract with the allure of court life

9. Gupta Stuff
Intellectual math & astronomy developments, most importantly – the concept of zero
Women declining status because of urbanization and complex social & political organizations – essentially treated as Shudras (lowest class)
Loss right to inherit property
Married at a very young age, like 6-7
Expected to cremate themselves upon death of husband, if not basically died a social death and were cast out
Some hope for women joined with Buddhists or Jainist, upper class women could study

10. Gupta Gupta = Hindus – reemergence of the Caste system
Era of religious tolerance
Continued thriving commercial connections – used coined money, traded with southeast and east Asia (India heavily influenced these areas)

12. Gupta Fall Down
Late 5th century – pressure from the Huns of Central Asia
Defense campaigns cost a lot of money and eventually bled the treasury dry
Empire collapse 550 CE