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Indian Empires

Indian Empires. Chapter 5 Section 4. Mauryan Empire. Unifies India for the first time First military leader – Candragupta Maurya Mauryan empire lasted 150 years Candragupta’s grandson – Asoka became a strong ruler (270 BC) Asoka became a devoted Buddhist (261 BC)

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Indian Empires

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  1. Indian Empires Chapter 5 Section 4

  2. Mauryan Empire • Unifies India for the first time • First military leader – CandraguptaMaurya • Mauryan empire lasted 150 years • Candragupta’s grandson – Asoka became a strong ruler (270 BC) • Asoka became a devoted Buddhist (261 BC) • After converting – Asoka improved the lives of his people (built roads, dug wells, planed trees, built houses for travelers • Asoka sent missionaries to spread Buddhism (251 BC)

  3. Gupta Empire • About 320 AD – India was united again under the Gupta Empire (Candra Gupta I) • The Gupta rulers promoted Hinduism, Hindu writings, and Hindu worship practices • The Gupta rulers also considered the Caste System an important part of Indian Society • Gupta rule was strong until the late 400s • The Huns from Central Asia – ended the Gupta empire by the mid 500s • India then was divided into small kingdoms

  4. Indian Achievements • During the Mauryan and Gupta Empires Art, writers, scholars, and scientists made great advances • Religious Art • Hindu and Buddhist Temples – very beautiful buildings • Early Hindu temples – small (1-2 rooms) flat roofs • Gupta Hindu temples more complex – huge towers/carvings • Gupta Buddhist temples –impressive- carved out of mountainsides Most famous (Ajanta)

  5. Stupa – Buddhist temples • Domed roofs • Housed sacred items from the life of Buddha • Covered with detailed carvings

  6. The Sanchistupa is surrounded by a stone railing with four gates called torenas. About halfway up the side of the mound is a second railing next to a walkway. Worshippers move along this walkway in a clockwise direction to honor the Buddha. The stupa is topped by a cube called the harmika. Rising from the harmika is a mast or spire. These parts and their shapes all have religious meaning for Buddhists.

  7. Paintings • Painting was a very respected profession/job • Gupta society paid artists to create great paintings • Gupta paintings were: clear, colorful, and show Indians wearing fine jewelry/clothing • Indian Artists also drew paintings to show their religious beliefs (Hindu & Buddhism) • Indian Sculptors also carved many statues and into walls of temples

  8. Sanskrit Literature • Sanskrit was the main language used by the ancient Aryans in India • Religious Epics • Mahabharata (World’s longest literary works) • Story of the struggle between 2 families for control of a kingdom - contains long passages of Hindu beliefs • The Most famous passage: BhagavadGita • Ramayana (The oldest Indian Epic) • About a Prince-Rama (who is really Vishnu …god in human form) • Became a human to rid the world of demons • Had to rescue his wife – princess Sita • Characters are to model how Indians should behave

  9. Other Works • Kalidasa wrote plays for Chandra Gupta II and his royal court • Panchatantra – a book of stories to teach lessons • Praise people for cleverness and quick thinking • Message about winning friends • Losing property • Waging war • Other ideas • “The good and bad of given schemes Wise thought must first reveal: The stupid heron saw his chicks Provide a mongoose meal.” –from the Panchatantra, translated by Arthur William Ryder

  10. MetalWorking --- Medicine In this modern painting, the Indian surgeon Susruta performs surgery on a patient. The ancient Indians had an advanced knowledge of medicine. Practiced inoculations Wrote textbooks about medicines Performed surgeries The Indians were expert metalworkers. This gold coin shows the emperor Candra Gupta II. Knew processes to create Alloys – mixture of 2 + metals Best was Iron

  11. Mathematics ---- Astronomy The Gupta made great advances in astronomy, despite their lack of modern devices such as telescopes. They used devices like this one from the 1700s to observe and map the stars. Knew 7 out the 9 planets (sphere shaped) Knew the Sun was a star Knew the planets revolved around the sun Knew the earth rotated on its axis Could predict eclipses of sun/moon This book is a copy of an ancient one from about AD 500 that summarized Indian knowledge of mathematics. It discussed basic arithmetic, fractions, and a counting system. Used Hindu-Arabic Numbers – Ours Created 0

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