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India Unites: The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties

India Unites: The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties. Aryan Age ends with Invasion of Darius and Alexander. 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.

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

  4. The Mauryan Empire 321-180 BCE

  5. 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)

  6. AshokaMaurya

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

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

  11. 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

  12. The SanchiStupa (Buddhist temple) by Ashoka

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

  14. 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

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

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

  17. 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

  18. Gupta Dynasty Re-Unites India (Classical India)375-550 CE • OVERVIEW: • Chandra Gupta founded it • Peaceful • great traders • strong art, science and mathematics • Hinduism dominated • The Gupta have strong central govt which allowed a degree of local control

  19. Politics • Chandra Gupta (320-335 AD)‏ • Alliances & Conquest • Consolidated Power & Territory • Drove out the Kushans • Samudra Gupta (335-375 AD)‏ • Chandra Gupta II (375-415 AD)‏ • Decentralization • Peace & Prosperity (Faxian)‏

  20. Gupta Economy • owned gold mines, silver mines, and vast lands. • rent money from farmers funded government (govt owned the land) • Silk Road served Gupta, Han, Rome and Persia Dynasties • Indian merchants shipped ivory, jewels, and textiles, salt and iron • The Romans traded glass, jewels, and clothes. • Chinese merchants traded silk, spices, tea, and porcelain. • The Gupta Empire profited greatly from religious trade and religious pilgrims.

  21. Gupta social life • VERY wealthy civilization • enjoyed gardens, music, and daily bathing • ate lots of variety; rice, bread, fish, milk, fruits and juices. • slave labor • Hinduism became more organized & temples became more important. • Women lost rights compared to under Buddhism- SATI Increased • Child marriage became common for girls • HINDUSIM returns as dominant religion

  22. Gupta Math/Science • Invented numbers 1-9, decimal system, pi • Zero invented by Aryabata • Charted planets and star movements • recognized the Earth is round and rotates on its axis and revolves around sun. • Indian physicians excelled in medicines, caesarean section, bone setting, and skin grafting, smallpox vaccination • Started Hospitals

  23. Gupta Buddhist Art • AJANTA CAVES • depict the stories of Buddhism spanning from the period from 200 bce to 650 ce.

  24. AJANTA CAVES . • During the 4th century c.e. • Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls. • twenty-nine caves • adorned with elaborate painting and sculptures

  25. Ajanta Caves • The Ajanta caves depict the stories of Buddhism spanning from the period from 200 bce to 650 ce. • The 29 caves were built by Buddhist monks using simple tools like hammer & chisel. • The elaborate and exquisite sculptures and paintings depict stories from Jataka tales. • The caves also house images of nymphs and princesses.

  26. the Sarnath Buddha

  27. Gupta Decline • Later Gupta rulers lived extravagantly, which weakened the people’s loyalty. • Guptas weakened by the expense of the War with White Huns and competing India kingdoms

  28. White Huns c. 500ce invade through Kyber Pass and Ganges Valley • destroyed cities and reduced Hindu temples to rubble. • Feudal provinces declare independence when Gupta are destroyed • India seperates into independent kingdoms. • not unified again until the Muslims in the 11th century

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