& the Quest for Salvation Chapter 9: State, Society, & the Quest for Salvation in India

Alexander the Great Bellwork What were the three new systems of thought in Hellenistic culture? Cynicism, Epicureanism, Stoicism The development of Hellenistic Culture is perfect example of_______________ Cultural Diffusion

Objective WWBAT: Discuss the Maurya Empire and the rule of Ashoka

The Mauryan Empire 321–184 BCE

India Before the Mauryan Dynasty 520 BCE Persian Emperor Darius conquers north-west India Introduces Persian ruling pattern 327 Alexander of Macedon destroys Persian Empire in India Troops mutiny, departs after 2 years Political power vacuum

Kingdom of Magadha Most significant remaining kingdom after Alexander’s departure Central Ganges plain Economic strength Agriculture Trade in Ganges valley, Bay of Bengal Dominated surrounding regions in north-eastern India

Interactive Notebook Setup 10/5/2016 The Maurya Empire This will be one page

Economy Chandragupta Ashoka Decline

Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE Chandragupta Maurya created the 1st unified Indian Empire Maurya dynasty (321–184 BCE) Took advantage of power vacuum left by Alexander Overthrew Magadha rulers

The Maurya Empire 321 BCE – 185 BCE

Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE Defeated the Persian general Seleucus. Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement. He feared assassination  food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. 301 BCE  gave up his throne & became a Jain.

Chandragupta: 321 BCE-298 BCE Kautilya Chandragupta’s advisor. Brahmin caste. Wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the Arthashastra. A guide for the king and his ministers: Supports royal power. The great evil in society is anarchy. Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when necessary!

Chandragupta’s Government Like Persia & China, built a bureaucratic administrative system. Domestic policies Network of spies Legend: Chandragupta retires to become a monk, starves himself to death

Ashoka (304 – 232 BCE) Grandson of Chandragupta Represents high point of Mauryan Empire, r. 268-232 BCE Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south Positive leadership integrated Indian society Established capital at Pataliputra Better known as a governor than conqueror

Ashoka Religious conversion after the gruesome battle of Kalinga in 262 BCE. Dedicated his life to Buddhism Built extensive roads. Conflict  how to balance Kautilya’s methods of keeping power and Buddha’s demands to become a selfless person?

Ashoka’s law code Wrote law code on rocks or pillars (Stupas) Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan. Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic. 10 rock edicts. Buddhist principles dominate his laws

Economy State farms operated and cultivated by slaves Grew Rice, Pepper, Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Sugar Cane, Medicinal Roots

Economy Participated in the Silk Road trade Served as a middle ground for the West(Greece, Hellenistic Kingdoms) and China The main exports sent to those empires were silk, textiles, spices and exotic foods.

Decline of the Mauryan Empire Economic crisis follows death of Ashoka High costs of bureaucracy, military not supported by tax revenue Frequent devaluations of currency to pay salaries Regions begin to abandon Mauryan Empire Disappears by 185 BCE