1. Introduction
Chapter Introduction
This chapter will introduce you to India’s early empires. You will learn about the rulers and cultures of the Maurya and Gupta empires.
Section 1: The Maurya Empire
Section 2: The Gupta Empire

2. Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
myStory
Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
How long had Ashoka been Maurya emperor before he waged war against Kalinga?
What made Ashoka question his wisdom in waging the battle?
Watch the myStory Video and ask students to think about the number of people who died at the battle of Kalinga.

3. Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
myStory
Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
How did Ashoka first learn about Buddhism?
What was the monks’ legend about the gift of dirt?
Watch the myStory Video and have students focus on Ashoka’s thoughts as he remembers the monks’ legend.

4. Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
myStory
Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
How was the battle of Kalinga a turning point for Ashoka?
What is dharma, according to this story?
Watch the myStory Video and ask students to think about a turning point in their own lives or in American history. Remind students that they learned about dharma in the previous chapter.

5. Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
myStory
Emperor Ashoka and the Gift of Dirt
Identify five actions of Ashoka
after he turned to Buddhism.
Refer students to this diagram in their Student Journals. Have them use information in the myStory and in Section 1 of this chapter to complete the diagram.

6. How are religion and culture connected?
myStory
How are religion and culture connected?
Describe or give examples of elements of your local culture. Then note whether and how religion influences these elements.
Remind students that this graphic organizer may be found in their Student Journals. Have them think about the importance of Buddhism on Ashoka’s life. Then refer them to this diagram in their Student Journals and have them use it to make notes about the influence of religion on their own community.

7. Why would it be important for a ruler to gain control of Magadha?
The Maurya Empire
Why would it be important for a ruler to gain control of Magadha?
Remind students that in the previous chapter, they learned that a dozen Aryan kingdoms and republics covered the Ganges Plain by 500 B.C. Ask them to predict what will happen to these kingdoms when a strong ruler with powerful weapons emerges. Students may refer to this map as it appears in the Student Edition.

8. Academic Vocabulary welfare—n., well-being, comfort, prosperity
The Maurya Empire
Academic Vocabulary
welfare—n., well-being, comfort, prosperity
Adding an entrance ramp to the office building improved the welfare of employees in wheelchairs.
assure—v., promise, convince
Toby assured his mother that he would drive carefully.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. If students are unfamiliar with the terms, read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

9. Key Ideas Chandragupta used military strategy to unite
The Maurya Empire
Key Ideas
Chandragupta used military strategy to unite
much of India for the first time.
Chandragupta developed a bureaucracy, a tax
system, and a system of spies to help rule his
empire.

10. Key Ideas The emperor Ashoka turned from war to peace,
The Maurya Empire
Key Ideas
The emperor Ashoka turned from war to peace,
promoted the growth of Buddhism, and
encouraged morality among his subjects.

11. Key Terms strategy—long-term plan for achieving a goal
The Maurya Empire
Key Terms
strategy—long-term plan for achieving a goal
province—region with its own government within a country
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the India’s Empires chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

12. Key Terms bureaucracy—system of offices that
The Maurya Empire
Key Terms
bureaucracy—system of offices that
carries out government rules and
regulations
subjects—people under a ruler’s control
tolerance—willingness to respect different
beliefs and customs
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the India’s Empires chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

13. Chandragupta Unites India
The Maurya Empire
Chandragupta Unites India
Chandragupta Maurya was the first to unite India’s many kingdoms into one empire—the Maurya.
A brilliant military leader, Chandragupta was guided by a Brahmin named Kautilya.

14. What was Chandragupta’s strategy
The Maurya Empire
What was Chandragupta’s strategy
for gaining power?
Chandragupta’s Steps to Success
One
Two
Three
Four
Have students focus on military training and weaponry, Greeks in the northwest, Magadha’s borders, and other kingdoms.

15. The Maurya Empire
Ruling an Empire
Chandragupta divided his large empire into four regions further divided into smaller provinces.
A bureaucracy of appointed officials in each region, province, and village carried out his orders.
Taxes supported the army and the emperor’s costly lifestyle.

16. Chandragupta Protects Himself Against Enemies
The Maurya Empire
Chandragupta feared his enemies. What actions did he take to safeguard his life?
Chandragupta Protects Himself Against Enemies
Have students study the information in Section 1 before attempting to complete this graphic organizer.

17. The Maurya Empire
Ruling an Empire
Chandragupta’s subjects had no right to privacy or freedom of speech.
Kautilya’s book Arthashastra advised Chandragupta to protect his people, but also to do whatever was necessary to keep power.

18. The Maurya Empire
Ruling an Empire
According to the Arthashastra, what made a ruler good?
Why do you think Kautilya said
that people cannot be trusted?

19. The Maurya Empire
Ashoka Turns to Peace
Ashoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, fought his brothers to become the third Maurya emperor.
After a terrible war against the kingdom of
Kalinga, Ashoka turned to Buddhism.
He replaced rule by force with rule based on
dharma, or moral law.

20. What three principles were included in Ashoka’s rule of moral law?
The Maurya Empire
What three principles were included
in Ashoka’s rule of moral law?
Three Principles of Ashoka’s Rule
Have students use information in the section to identify the three principles of Ashoka’s rule based on dharma.

21. Ashoka Turns to Peace To share his ideas, Ashoka had stone pillars, or
The Maurya Empire
Ashoka Turns to Peace
To share his ideas, Ashoka had stone pillars, or
columns, set up across his empire.
Ashoka had messages carved on the pillars and
rocks in which he assured his subjects that he
was focused on their well-being.

22. What did Ashoka’s messages
The Maurya Empire
What did Ashoka’s messages
urge the people to do?
Ashoka’s New Goals
Point out to students that only ten pillars with inscriptions have survived the centuries; the remaining edicts are etched into rocks.

23. How did Ashoka’s support for Buddhism help the religion spread?
The Maurya Empire
How did Ashoka’s support for Buddhism help the religion spread? •
Buddhism Expands
Discuss with students how a ruler’s support for a policy or an idea gives it validity and prestige.

24. Ashoka’s Aftermath Ashoka ruled India for nearly 40 years.
The Maurya Empire
Ashoka’s Aftermath
Ashoka ruled India for nearly 40 years.
During that time, he did much to improve life for
his people.
After Ashoka died in 232 B.C., the Maurya empire
declined.

25. In what ways did Ashoka improve the well-being of his subjects?
The Maurya Empire
In what ways did Ashoka improve the well-being of his subjects?
Ashoka’s Achievements
Have students address such categories as trade, travel, health, and safety.

26. What impact did religion have on the Maurya empire?
Impact of Religion •
Tell students to think back on everything they learned in the section. Have them use the graphic organizer to identify the effects of Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism on the Maurya empire’s laws, warfare, daily life, and economy.

27. The Gupta Empire
Which Late Gupta numerals look most similar to those numerals we use today?
Explain to students that in this section, they will read about Gupta achievements in mathematics, literature, art, astronomy, medicine, and metallurgy. Remind students that this chart is also in the Student Edition.

28. The Gupta Empire
Academic Vocabulary
drama—n., plays or performances that tell stories Julio enjoys performing dramas because he has always liked a good story.
extract—v., remove, draw out
To avoid future dental problems, many people have their wisdom teeth extracted.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. If students are unfamiliar with the words, have them read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

29. Key Ideas The Gupta dynasty created the second major Indian empire.
The Gupta Empire
Key Ideas
The Gupta dynasty created the second
major Indian empire.
The Guptas ruled an India that made
advances in the arts, science, and
mathematics, including our modern system
of numerals.

30. Key Terms citizenship—a status with political rights and obligations
The Gupta Empire
Key Terms
citizenship—a status with political rights and
obligations
numeral—a symbol used to represent a
number
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the India’s Empires chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

31. Key Terms decimal system—a counting system based on units of ten
The Gupta Empire
Key Terms
decimal system—a counting system based
on units of ten
metallurgy—the science that deals with
extracting metal from ore and using it to create
useful objects
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the India’s Empires chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

32. A New Empire in India After the Maurya empire fell, India broke into
The Gupta Empire
A New Empire in India
After the Maurya empire fell, India broke into
small, warring kingdoms.
These kingdoms traded with China, Southeast
Asia, and the Roman empire.
After 500 years, northern India was united
again into one empire—the Gupta.

33. The Gupta Empire
Who were the first three Gupta rulers, and what areas did they conquer?
First Gupta Rulers
As students complete this graphic organizer, have them study the map of the Gupta empire in Section 2 of this chapter.

34. A New Empire in India The Gupta empire reached its greatest size
under Chandra Gupta II.
Like Ashoka, Chandra Gupta II tried to bring
peace and prosperity to India.
Instead of trying to rule their entire empire
directly, the Guptas allowed local leaders to
make decisions.

35. A New Empire in India What people served on the council in villages?
The Gupta Empire
A New Empire in India
What people served on the council in villages?
What are guilds?
Why were guilds important to city government?

36. A New Empire in India People living in the Maurya and Gupta empires
The Gupta Empire
A New Empire in India
People living in the Maurya and Gupta empires
were subjects, with a duty to obey the emperor.
Yet some people in the Gupta empire also had
a kind of citizenship, with political rights and
obligations.
The last Gupta ruler died around A.D. 540.

37. A Rich Culture Literature, painting, architecture, and other
The Gupta Empire
A Rich Culture
Literature, painting, architecture, and other
culture flourished under the Guptas.
Much of the art was religious.
Although Buddhism remained important, the
Guptas favored Hinduism.

38. The Gupta Empire
What three forms of literature flourished around the time of the Guptas?
Gupta Literature
Ask a student volunteer to read aloud the fable presented in the section. Have students think of other fables with which they are familiar.

39. A Rich Culture The greatest writer of the time was the poet and
The Gupta Empire
A Rich Culture
The greatest writer of the time was the poet and
playwright Kalidasa.
Dancers created works based on Hindu
literature.
Musicians played stringed instruments and
drums.

40. A Rich Culture Drama often combined dance, music, and stories.
The Gupta Empire
A Rich Culture
Drama often combined dance, music, and stories.
The game of chess was invented under the
Guptas and spread to Asia, the Middle East,
and Europe.
Artisans created beautiful Hindu and Buddhist
temples, monasteries, and sculptures.

41. Mathematics and Science
The Gupta Empire
Mathematics and Science
Gupta scholars developed the concept of zero,
the decimal system, and numerals that we use
today.
With the new Indian system of numerals and the
decimal system, operations such as
multiplication and division became much easier.
Aryabhata was an important Indian astronomer
and mathematician.

42. What mathematical and astronomical discoveries did Aryabhata make?
The Gupta Empire
What mathematical and astronomical discoveries did Aryabhata make?
Aryabhata’s Discoveries
Mathematics •
Astronomy
Have students read the red subheads A New World of Mathematics and Astronomy before completing this graphic organizer.

43. Mathematics and Science
The Gupta Empire
Mathematics and Science
Indian doctors developed a system of medicine
known as Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic medical textbooks described
diseases, medicines, and treatments.
Gupta artisans improved metallurgy and
produced high-quality metal compounds.

44. Mathematics and Science
The Gupta Empire
Mathematics and Science
What advances in medicine did
Indian doctors make?
Why would producing metals of great purity be
considered an important skill by Gupta rulers?

45. The Gupta Legacy The Gupta Empire Gupta Achievements
Emperors and Their Achievements
Achievements in Arts and Literature
Achievements in Math and Astronomy
Achievements in Medicine and Metallurgy
Tell students to think back on everything they learned in the section. Have them use the graphic organizer to summarize Gupta achievements in the categories shown.

46. Religion did not influence…
The Gupta Empire
Which aspects of Gupta civilization were connected to religion? Which were not?
Gupta Civilization
Religion influenced…
Religion did not influence…