1. Classical India

2. India Before the Mauryan Dynasty
520 B.C.E., Persian emperor Darius conquers northwest India
Introduces Persian ruling pattern
327 B.C.E., Alexander of Macedon destroys Persian empire in India
Troops mutiny, depart after two years
Political power vacuum

3. Chandragupta Maurya Took advantage of power vacuum left by Alexander
Overthrew Magadha rulers
Expanded kingdom to create first unified Indian empire
Mauryan dynasty

4. Ashoka Maurya Grandson of Chandragupta
Represents high point of Mauryan empire, r B.C.E.
Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south
Positive ruler-ship integrated Indian society
Much better known as a ruler than conqueror
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5. Decline of the Mauryan Empire
Economic crisis follows death of Ashoka
High costs of bureaucracy, military not supported by tax revenue
Frequent devaluations of currency to pay salaries
Regions begin to abandon Mauryan empire
Disappears by 185 B.C.E.

6. The Mauryan, Bactra, Kush, and Gupta Empires: 321 B.C.E. - 550 C.E.

7. Regional Kingdom: Bactria
Northwestern India 182 B.C.E. – 1 C.E.
Ruled by Greek-speaking descendants of Alexander’s campaigns
Promoted cross-cultural interaction

8. Regional Kingdom: Bactria

9. Regional Kingdom: Kush
Northern India/central Asia
Ca C.E.
Maintained silk road trade network making travel safer.

10. Regional Kingdom: Kush

11. The Gupta Dynasty Based in Magadha
Founded by Chandra Gupta (no relation to Chandragupta Maurya), ca. 320 C.E.
Slightly smaller than Mauryan empire

12. The Gupta Dynasty Based in Magadha
Founded by Chandra Gupta (no relation to Chandragupta Maurya), ca. 320 C.E.
Slightly smaller than Mauryan empire
Highly decentralized leadership
Foundations for studies in natural sciences and mathematics

13. Gupta Decline Frequent invasions of White Huns, fifth century C.E.
Gupta dynasty disintegrates along regional fault lines
Smaller local kingdoms dominate until Mughal empire founded in sixteenth century

14. Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin
Massive road-building projects under Persian rule
Alexander extends trade west to Macedon
Seasonal sea trade expands
Spring/winter winds blow from southwest, fall/winter winds blow from northwest
Trade from Asia to Persian Gulf and Red Sea, Mediterranean

16. Society: Gender Relations
Patriarchy entrenched
Child marriage common (eight-year-old girls married to men in twenties)

17. Social Order Caste system from Aryan times Brahmins (priests)
Kshatriyas (warriors, aristocrats)
Vaishyas (peasants, merchants)
Sudras (serfs)

18. Castes and Guilds
Increasing economic diversification challenges simplistic caste system
Jati formed: guilds that acted as subcastes
Enforced social order
“Out-castes” forced into low-status employment