India Unites:

The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties

Aryan Age ends with Invasion of
Darius and Alexander
India begins to Unite
c. 400-300BCE
Persia first
united NW India
under Cyrus
and Darius


c. 330 Alexander the Great conquered Persia
Greek empire failed when Alexander died
Now a native Indian Empire would begin.
The Mauryan Empire 321-180 BCE

Politics
Founded by Chandragupta Maurya ( 324 to
301 B.C.)
Increased centralized govt control over
regional kingdoms
large army of 700,000
secret police to watch for treason
301 BCE gave up his throne to & became a
Jain monk (extreme Buddhism)
Ashoka Maurya
Ashoka 268-232 BC
Most important ruler in ancient India
Brutal military commander who extended the Empire
throughout S. and E. India
Battle of Kalinga - 260 BC
o 100,000 Kalingans died
o 150,000 Kalingans driven from their home
o More died from disease & starvation in the aftermath of the
destruction brought on by the war
What have I done?
Ashoka and many Indian leaders converted to Buddhism
after this battle and became pacifists

He spent the rest of his life encouraging non-violence,
moderation and Buddhist principles to India



Asokas Buddhist
Rock and Pillar
Edicts
spread Buddhist principles
scattered in more than 30
places in India,
Nepal,Pakistan, &
Afghanistan.
Each pillar is 40-50 high.
helped bring order and unity
to India
Trade/Economy
Agricultural economy
New canals and irrigation systems for trade
and agriculture.
renovated major roads throughout India.

built towns for spinning & weaving textiles

uniform system of currency, weights and
measures

Created provinces ruled by governors for tax
assessments and law enforcement

Taxes rose over time to build Ashokas
projects which led to Empires fall at Ashokas
death

Increased trade by uniting India

India traded silk, cotton, and spices to
Mesopotamia, China, Egypt and Rome


Silver punch mark coin
Indian Agriculture
State farms operated and
cultivated by slaves.
o Grew Rice, Pepper,
Wheat, Barley,
Mustard, Sugar Cane,
Medicinal Roots




Religion
Buddhism grows
built thousands of Stupas for Buddhist followers.
built Buddhist schools and universities
the unnecessary eating of animals was abolished.
Wildlife became protected including the first national parks
in the world
promoted vegetarianism and built animal hospitals.
Ashokas empire died out slowly after he died
The Sanchi Stupa (Buddhist temple)
by Ashoka
Similarities between Buddhist Stupas and
Pagodas
Buddhist architecture spread from India when Buddhism spread
over the next 1000 years







The Mauryan Empire at its Height
Social
The Caste System limited social
opportunities & determined who
people could marry

Families are patriarchalheaded by
the eldest male
Laws limited womens life and
abilities
Sati was sometimes practiced

Even a man in the grip of rage will not be
harsh to a woman, remembering that on her
depends the joy of love, happiness and
virtue Mahabharata epic
Indian Population
50 million people during Mauryan Empire
The Arts
transition from wood to stone in their
architecture and art Indian Stupa
Ashoka's Pillars
After the Mauryans:
Regional Rule and the Rise of J ainism
and Buddhism
Regional Kingdoms and local rule -
185 BCE to CE 300
Northern India
o Invading HUNS built new small regional kingdoms
Hindu Kush civilizations
o Most powerful regional kingdoms for trade across the region and along the
Silk Road
Jainism grew in influence during this time of confusion since the
leaders pushing Hinduism and Buddhism were weakened


Jainism like Hindu and Buddhism
Believe in karma, dharma and Moksha
expected to follow five principles of living:
Ahimsa: "non violence in all parts of a person -- mental, verbal and physical."
Satya: speaking truth; avoiding falsehood
Asteya: to not steal from others
Brahma-charya: (soul conduct); remaining sexually monogamous to one's
spouse only
Aparigraha: detach from people, places and material things. Avoiding the
collection of excessive material possessions, abstaining from over-indulgence,
restricting one's needs,