1. Chapter 3 Section 5

2. Economy and Society During the Indo-Aryan period, the rajas controlled the land and drew much wealth from the farmers. During the Indo-Aryan period, the rajas controlled the land and drew much wealth from the farmers. During the Mauryan era, the rulers claimed one-fourth of each harvest in taxes. During the Mauryan era, the rulers claimed one-fourth of each harvest in taxes. Indian goods, such as silk, cotton, wool, ivory, spices and precious gems, were traded with people in the Far East, Southwest Asia, Africa and Europe. Indian goods, such as silk, cotton, wool, ivory, spices and precious gems, were traded with people in the Far East, Southwest Asia, Africa and Europe.

3. Hindu custom gave women some protection in ancient India. Under the law, however, women did not have the same rights. Hindu custom gave women some protection in ancient India. Under the law, however, women did not have the same rights. Girls had to obey their fathers and women had to obey their husbands. Girls had to obey their fathers and women had to obey their husbands. Men were allowed to have more than one wife, a custom known as polygyny. This became very popular during the Gupta period. Men were allowed to have more than one wife, a custom known as polygyny. This became very popular during the Gupta period.

4. The practice of a woman committing suicide upon the death of her husband was known as suttee. Women would throw themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre. The practice of a woman committing suicide upon the death of her husband was known as suttee. Women would throw themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre. Suttee was sometimes a required practice among women of the upper castes. Suttee was sometimes a required practice among women of the upper castes.

5. Cultural Achievements In addition to religious epics, people enjoyed the “Five Books,” or the Panchantantra. In addition to religious epics, people enjoyed the “Five Books,” or the Panchantantra. The stories from the Panchatantra were fables with morals that taught adaptability, shrewdness, and determination. The stories from the Panchatantra were fables with morals that taught adaptability, shrewdness, and determination. Indian drama developed greatly during the Gupta period. Indian drama developed greatly during the Gupta period.

6. Art and Architecture Ancient Indian cave paintings depict Buddha and his followers. Ancient Indian cave paintings depict Buddha and his followers. Early images of the Buddha show the influence of Greek and Roman art. Early images of the Buddha show the influence of Greek and Roman art. As Hinduism grew in importance, architects began to design and build temples. As Hinduism grew in importance, architects began to design and build temples. Asoka built thousands of stupas or dome- shaped shrines. Objects associated with the Buddha were placed inside. Asoka built thousands of stupas or dome- shaped shrines. Objects associated with the Buddha were placed inside.

7. Education Children of the higher castes received formal education in many subjects. They studied the Vedas and other literature. Children of the higher castes received formal education in many subjects. They studied the Vedas and other literature. Nalanda was a famous Buddhist university located in the eastern Ganges Valley. It became the center of higher learning during the time of the Guptas. Nalanda was a famous Buddhist university located in the eastern Ganges Valley. It became the center of higher learning during the time of the Guptas.

8. Mathematics and Astronomy Indian mathematicians understood abstract and negative numbers. They also understood the concepts of infinity and zero. Indian mathematicians understood abstract and negative numbers. They also understood the concepts of infinity and zero. Aryabhata was one of the first known people to have used algebra and solved quadratic equations. Aryabhata was one of the first known people to have used algebra and solved quadratic equations. Indian astronomers identified the seven planets visible to the naked eye. Indian astronomers identified the seven planets visible to the naked eye.

9. Medicine Indian physicians understood the importance of the spinal cord. Indian physicians understood the importance of the spinal cord. They developed the concept of inoculation, which is infecting a healthy person with a small amount of disease to help fight future illness. They developed the concept of inoculation, which is infecting a healthy person with a small amount of disease to help fight future illness. Indians built hospitals as early as 400 A.D. and practiced cleanliness and disinfection long before the western world. Indians built hospitals as early as 400 A.D. and practiced cleanliness and disinfection long before the western world.