Unit 10 India Ancient Indian Dynasties and Empires Objectives: Explain how the Mauryan rulers increased their power. Examine the reasons for the decline of Gupta rule.

Ancient Indian Empires 1/21/15 Red Purple

Rise of the Mauryan Empire Geography Chandragupta Maurya kept out invaders; India not unified established this empire that lasted about 150 years.

Chandragupta Maurya Raised army of 600,000 soldiers, had thousands of chariots and elephants Army united northern India Established strict government to carry out his commands

Asoka (came to power around 270 B.C.) Chandragupta’s grandson Even greater ruler Fought bloody wars to increase the size of his kingdom Became a Buddhist when he was sick of all the bloodshed Spread the faith of Buddhism and reversed many of the polices of those before him Enlarged the Empire until it included all of India except the southern tip of the subcontinent. (AKA—the first imperial dynasty to hold nearly all of India) Asoka (came to power around 270 B.C.)

Asoka’s Empire How did he unite a diverse empire? Improved living conditions Planted trees Dug wells Rest houses along trade routes After his death, the empire began to split apart due to fighting of his sons Asoka’s Empire How did he unite a diverse empire?

Gupta Rulers (300 to 550 A.D.) New dynasty emerged due to decline of Buddhism and growth of Hinduism Chandra Gupta I-founder Empire spread due to conquest Empire included all of northern India

Gupta Rule Indian civilization flourished Favored Hinduism but allowed Buddhism; Hinduism is the dominant religion “Golden Age”early years of Gupta rule where the Indian civilization flourished Chandra Gupta II Progress made in the arts Gupta political system gave much power to the local rulers.

Review 1) Why was the Gupta empire so different from the Mauryan Empire? 2) How was Asoka able to unite the entire empire? 3) About how long did the Mauryan Empire last in years? 4) By the end of the Mauryan Empire, how much of India fell under their rule? 5) How much of India fell under the Gupta rule? 6) About how many years did Chandragupta Maurya lead the Mauryan Empire? 7) How was Asoka related to Chandragupta Maurya? 8) What caused Asoka to convert to Buddhism? 9) What religion was favored by the Gupta Empire?