Rayat Shikshan Sanstha’s Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Satara Rayat Shikshan Sanstha’s Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Satara. DEPARTMEN of HISTORY By Prof. Kadam S. V.

India and China Establish Empires 400 B.C.-AD.550

Chapter Opener Asoka: The Buddhist King of India Buddhism turned Asoka, the bloodthirsty king of ancient India’s Mauryan Empire, into a peace-loving ruler.

Section 1: India’s First Empires

The Mauryan Empire is Established Chandragupta Maurya Seizes Power In 321 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya seizes power, starts Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya Unifies North India Chandragupta defeats Seleucus I; north India is united for the first time Chandragupta uses taxes to support his large army

The Mauryan Empire is Established Running the Empire Chandragupta’s chief adviser is Kautilya, a priest Chandragupta creates a bureaucratic government He divides the government to make it easier to rule

The Mauryan Empire is Established Life in the City and the Country A Greek ambassador writes glowing praise of the empire Chandragupta’s son rules from 301 to 269 B.C., (32 years) Aŝoka—Chandragupta’s grandson, brings the empire to its height Mahabodhi Temple, site of first temple built by Asoka (3rd century B.C.) on spot of Buddha’s enlightenment. Bihar, India

The Mauryan Empire is Established Asoka Promotes Buddhism After a bloody war with Kalinga, Asoka promotes Buddhism and peace Preaches religious toleration—accepting people of different religions Builds roads, with wells along them

A Period of Turmoil The Breakup of the Mauryan Empire Asoka dies in 232 B.C.; kingdoms in central India soon break away The Andhra Dynasty dominates central India for centuries Northern India receives immigrants from Greece and other parts of Asia Tamils—a people living in southern India—remain separate and frequently war with rival peoples.

The Gupta Empire is Established Chandra Gupta Builds an Empire Chandra Gupta marries into kingship in north India in A.D. 320 Starts Gupta Empire—India’s second empire; flowering of Indian civilization, especially Hindu culture (see next slide) His son Samudra Gupta expands empire with conquest

Radha and Krishna in the grove. Painting (about 1780)

The Gupta Empire is Established Daily Life in India Majority of Indians are farmers; entire family raises crops together Families are patriarchal—headed by the eldest male Farmers have to contribute work to government and pay heavy taxes Some Tamil families are matriarchal—led by mother rather than father

The Gupta Empire is Established Height of the Gupta Empire Chandra Gupta II rules from A.D. 375-415 He defeats the Shakas and adds western coast to empire Gupta Empire sees flourishing of arts, religion, and science After Chandra Gupta II dies, the empire declines