+ GOOD MORNING Please take the handout left for you on my orange chair.

+ REPEATING HISTORY: What do YOU think?

+ INDIA’S FIRST EMPIRES Alexander the Great brought the Indus Valley under Macedonian control – but left almost immediately. Soon after, a great Indian military leader, Chandragupta seized power.

+ The Mauryan Empire is Est. After Alexander’s quick exit from the Indus Valley, a king from the unpopular Nanda family takes control. 321 BC: Chandragupta gathers an army and defeats Nanda king as well as all family heirs to the throne. Chandragupta’s Conflict with Seleucus I Seleucus I inherited lands surrounding Indus Valley from Alexander Seleucus sought to reestablish Macedonian control over area Chandragupta defeats Seleucus after years of fighting North India now politically united for the first time

+ The Mauryan Empire Stretched 2,000 miles Advised by Kautilya member of the priestly caste Arthasastra: tough-minded policies (spying/political assassination) Beaucratic Government: divided empire into four provinces, each with their own royal prince Imposed high taxes to support military & future conquests 600,000 foot soldiers 30,000 soldiers on horseback 9,000 elephants

+ The Mauryan Empire Asoka: Chandragupta’s grandson brings Mauryan Empire to its greatest height after assuming the throne in 269 BC Although victorious in conquests, Asoka felt sorrow over slaughters Studied Buddhism and began promoting Buddhist’s ideologies (peace, fairness, humanity, religious tolerance, etc.) Extensive road system built to unite entire empire and improve traveling conditions (rest houses) and communication Various developments demonstrated concern for his subject’s well-being Asoka’s developments as well as the entire empire died with him in 232 BC

+ Turmoil in the Mauryan Empire Disputes between competing kings resulted in regional independence NORTHERN India faces challenges with immigration (Greeks, Persians, Central Asians) CENTRAL India gains stability through trade (Rome, Southeast Asia) SOUTHERN India faces war with Tamil tribes

+ The Gupta Empire is Est. After 500 years of turmoil, Chandra Gupta assumes the throne through marriage in 320 AD AKA “Great King of Kings” due to extent and size of empire Samudra Gupta assumes the throne in 335 AD and oversees 40 years of expansion Chandra Gupta II ( AD) Defeated Shakas (enemies in the West) Added to coastal territory Expanded trade Promoted diplomatic relationships Negotiated marriage alliances Gupta Empire begins to break into small kingdoms after his death and finally ends in 535 AD

+ Spread of Indian Culture Buddhism develops amidst political and social upheaval Polytheistic Reincarnation Nirvana Buddhist Divisions Mahayana: accept new doctrines Theravada: uphold original, stricter teachings Hinduism adapts to political and social climate Over time, became too complex from followers Shift from a traditionally polytheistic religion to monotheistic

+ Indian Cultural Achievements Art Increase in poetry and drama Establishment of writing academies Developments in dance Astronomy Navigation by stars increased trade Time kept with the use of sun calendars Adopted seven-day week Divided days into hours Detailed ideas indicated that the Earth was round

+ Indian Cultural Achievements Math Developed modern numerals, zero, decimal system Calculated the value of pi to four decimal places Calculated length of solar year Medicine Described more than 1,000 diseases Identified 500 medicinal plants Experimented with surgery (plastic) and injections Trade Engaged in trade with regions as far as Africa and Rome Trades spices, precious jewels, gold, beautiful woods, cloth, grain, slaves, metal, silk, etc. Silk Roads

+ Please use Chapter 7, Section 3 ( ) to complete your guided reading notes. HAN EMPERORS IN CHINA