Buddhism and the First Unification of India History Alive Chapter 17

The Mauryas Unify India First leaders to unify India.

Chandragupta Maurya Began building the Empire in the 320s B.C.E. Used his great army of 700,000 soldiers and 9,000 elephants to overthrow the other rulers.

Chandragupta Maurya Used force. Powerful army. Spies. Torture.

Chandragupta’s Accomplishments Central Government Wrote Laws Gave farmers water for crops Built a Royal Road 1,000 miles

Toward the end of his life Chandragupta became an ascetic. He lived in poverty. He traveled with monks.

King Ashoka Chandragupta’s grandson. Ruled from 269 to 232 B.C.E. After one brutal battle he decided to reject violence.

Ashoka embraces Buddhism Supported Buddhist values of love, peace, and nonviolence. He gave up hunting and became a vegetarian. He visited Buddhist sites.

Ashoka embraces Buddhism Ashoka gave up wars of conquest. He wanted his people to follow the Buddhist path. He urged them to be kind, respectful, and moral.

Ashoka’s Edicts An edict is a command that is obeyed like a law. He had edicts carved into walls, rocks, and tall pillars in public places.

FYI: Not all of Ashoka’s actions reflected Buddhism He allowed slavery. Permitted people to be executed for serious crimes. He kept a strong army. Gave up conquest, but would not give the lands back that he conquered.

Ashoka’s Edicts Designed to Promote Buddhist Values General Welfare Justice Security

After Ashoka’s Death About 45 years after his death the kingdom broke apart into separate kingdoms. Buddhism spread.

The End