Mauryan Empire Subtitle

Early India In ancient times, India never really had a large empire Persians invaded the Indus River Valley and conquered it – 500s BC Alexander the Great invaded and conquered most of India – 325 BC When Alexander left, there was a power vacuum

Chandra Gupta Maurya Indian general – thought India needed a strong army to defend itself from invaders Conquered northern India and created the Mauryan Empire Chandra Gupta facts Well-run government Communication/postal system Spies

Chandra Gupta Maurya’s Empire

Ashoka Mauryan Empire reached its height under Chandra Gupta’s grandson – Ashoka Started off as a fierce warrior, but converted to Buddhism Ashoka’s Achievements Laws to encourage niceness Created roads, rest houses, hospitals for poor Spread Buddhism – missionaries, stupas, art Tolerant of other religions

Ashoka’s Empire

End of Mauryan Empire After Ashoka, the Mauryan rulers were not as kind or strong More taxes and took land from poor people People revolted India split back into many smaller kingdoms

Answer the following questions in your notes section. Write in complete sentences. 1.Who created the first great Indian empire, and why? 2.What were some accomplishments of Chandra Gupta Maurya? 3.Who was Ashoka? 4.What were some accomplishments of Ashoka? 5.Describe the end of the Mauryan empire.