Mauryan and gupta empires South Asian Civilizations

India prior to the Mauryans Ruled by the Persians (Darius I) Ruled by the Greeks (only about two years) Chandragupta Maurya unites northern India for the first time

Mauryan Government under Chandragupta Divided into provinces and districts Advisor, Kautalya, writes a detailed political handbook Administration Taxes Foreign relations Uses spies (and prostitutes) as informants Perhaps abdicated to become a monk

Ashoka (r. 268-232 BCE) Expanded the empire Brutal early in his rule Converts to Buddhism and ends his violent ways Encourages others to convert Builds monasteries Achievements: Tax collecting system Built roads & encouraged trade Ended slavery Recorded history of his empire Promoted peace in the region

Mauryan Decline and Legacy Falls about 50 years after Ashoka’s death Army becomes ineffective Neighboring empires fight for control TRADE! Goods: silk & spices (from China) Ideas: art (from Rome and Greece)

Gupta Empire – The Golden Age of India Smaller than Mauryan Not an elaborate bureaucracy Lets locals control & pay tribute Science and Math Discovers zero Plastic surgery Earth is round and rotates on its axis Trade – merchants (and others) are able to travel across the area without fear of being attacked

Decline of the Gupta Invasions by the White Huns Fell in to regional kingdoms until 16th c. CE