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India Unites: The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties

Explore the rise and fall of the Mauryan and Gupta dynasties in ancient India, their political control, economic advancements, religious influence, and the transition to regional rule under Jainism and Buddhism.

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India Unites: The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties

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  1. India Unites:The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties

  2. Aryan Age ends with Invasion of Darius and Alexander

  3. India begins to Unite c. 400-300BCE • Persia first united NW India under Cyrus and Darius

  4. c. 330 Alexander the Great conquered Persia Greek empire failed when Alexander diedNow a native Indian Empire would begin.

  5. The Mauryan Empire 321-180 BCE

  6. 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)

  7. Ashoka Maurya

  8. 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 • 100,000 Kalingans died • 150,000 Kalingans driven from their home • 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

  9. Asoka’s 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

  10. 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 Ashoka’s projects which led to Empire’s fall at Ashoka’s death • Increased trade by uniting India • India traded silk, cotton, and spices to Mesopotamia, China, Egypt and Rome Silver punch mark coin

  11. Indian Agriculture • State farms operated and cultivated by slaves. • Grew Rice, Pepper, Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Sugar Cane, Medicinal Roots

  12. 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. • Ashoka’s empire died out slowly after he died

  13. The Sanchi Stupa (Buddhist temple) by Ashoka

  14. Similarities between Buddhist Stupas and Pagotas • Buddhism architecture spread from India when Buddhism spread aver the next 1000 years

  15. The Mauryan Empire at its Height

  16. Social • The Caste System limited social opportunities & determined who people could marry • • Families are patriarchal—headed by the eldest male • Laws limited women’s 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

  17. Indian Population • 50 million people during Mauryan Empire

  18. The Arts transition from wood to stone in their architecture and art Indian Stupa Ashoka's Pillars

  19. After the Mauryans: Regional Rule and the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism

  20. Regional Kingdoms and local rule - 185 BCE to CE 300 • Northern India • Invading HUNS built new small regional kingdoms • Hindu Kush civilizations • 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 Hindu and Buddhism were weakened

  21. 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,

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