Classical India Aryans Invaders Notes

Aryans Transform India Aryans, a group of Indo-European people (Greek dissent), came through NW mountain passes into the Indus River Valley around 1500 BCE Left almost no archaeological record, but their sacred text, the Vedas, left an accurate picture

Aryans Transform India Mahabharata, a great epic, reflects struggles that took place in India as Aryans moved south

Aryans Transform India Called the Indians “dasas” (dark), who were shorter and spoke a different language Formed the caste system, with the top three levels composing of Aryans, then the Indians

Classical india Social System Notes

Brahmins (priests) Warriors Aryan Peasants/Traders Laborers Untouchables (Butchers, gravediggers, trash collectors)

Classical india India Empires Notes

Mauryan - Important Rulers Chandragupta Maurya: gathered an army, killed Nanda king, in 321 BCE claimed the throne Kautilya: advisor who wrote the ruler’s handbook, Arthasastra

Mauryan - Important Rulers Asoka: Chandragupta’s grandson who claimed the throne in 269 BCE and brought Mauryan Empire to its greatest heights; kept India politically unifed

Mauryan - Accomplishments divided into four provinces, each with a prince and local districts Asoka was violent at first, switched to Buddhist idea of “peace to all beings”

Mauryan - Accomplishments extensive roads, watering places and rest houses for travelers, religious toleration Free hospitals and veterinary clinics

Mauryan - Decline Asoka died in 232 BCE Regional princes challenged imperial government a flood of new people fleeing from Asia, who introduced new languages and customs

Gupta - Important Rulers Chandra Gupta I: came to power by marrying an old royal family, took control in 320 CE - his son, Samudra Gupta, became king in 335 CE, expanded the empire through war and conquest

Gupta - Important Rulers his son, Chandra Gupta II, added Mediterranean trade to empire and used peaceful means to expand, like treaties and marriage

Gupta - Accomplishments perfected stable village life with specific districts for merchants, irrigation, and reservoirs expanded throughout the Indian subcontinent and spread Hindu culture

Gupta - Accomplishments advancements in astronomy, modern numerals, the zero, the decimal system, and the value of pi important medical guides were compiled

Gupta - Decline Chandra Gupta II died a wave of Huns invaders came into northern India split into smaller kingdoms that were eventually overrun by Huns and other central Asian nomads

Exit Ticket Rip a piece of notebook in half, share with a partner: In a strong paragraph, explain whether you think the Gupta Empire or the Mauryan Empire were more successful. Include a introduction sentence, a thesis statement and atleast 4 supporting sentences.