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

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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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