Empires in India & China Chapter 7
Today’s Goal Compare the first two Indian empires and their rulers. Essential Questions What impacts did Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka, and Chandra Gupta have on India? What similar rise/fall did these two empires have?
Chandragupta Maurya Established Mauryan Empire by military success Divided empire into provinces
Kautilya – Chandragupta’s Advisor Arthasastra – describes how a ruler should govern, laws Political assassination, spies
Asoka Converted to Buddhism helped spread Brought empire to greatest heights Built roads, canals
Asoka’s Rock Edicts Religious tolerance, nonviolence, welfare of his subjects
Principles of Asoka’s Edicts Buddhist philosophy Promote general welfare Promote justice Ensure security
Fall of Mauryans Poor/weak leaders after Asoka Internal conflicts Regional kings challenged gov’t Last leader, Brihadratha, killed by his own general, Pushyamitra Sunga Internal conflicts Priests unhappy w/changes in religion Refugees from other lands Invasions by outsiders & rival kingdoms Weak military due to emphasis on peace No unified defense
Tamil Land
Chandra Gupta I Gupta Empire = Golden Age Back to Hinduism Flowering of Indian culture Extensive trade (use of Silk Roads)
Fall of Gupta Empire Hephthalites (the “White Huns”) = nomadic group invaded Gupta Fragmentation/dissolution of empire Weak economy Disputes within royal family Provinces wanted independence Small wars between local rulers