1. Imperial Expansion and Collapse
324 B.C.E. – 650 C.E.

2. Mauryan Empire 324 B.C.E. – 184 B.C.E.
Core of empire was the Kingdom of Magadha.
Plentiful agriculture and iron resource
Founded by Chandragupta.
Expanded by him, Vindusara, and Ashoka until it included most of subcontinent.

3. Mauryan Emperors
Ashoka
Chandragupta

4. Map of Mauryan Empire

5. Mauryan Government
Capital at the walled and moated city of Pataliputra.
Establishment, including a large army, was paid for by:
25% tax on agricultural products of the empire
State monopolies on mines, shipbuilding, and armaments.

6. Ashoka Most famous Mauryan emperor Ruled from 269 – 232 B.C.E.
Converted to Buddhism after seeing effects of warfare in south
Buddhist policies of government are preserved in edicts inscribed on rocks and pillars throughout his empire.

7. Pillar with Inscription

8. Collapse of the Mauryan Empire
Collapsed in 184 B.C.E.
Northern India fell into a period of political fragmentation
Included rule of Northwest by the Shakas and Kushans
Accompanied by economic development in which guilds of artisans and merchants played a dominant role

9. Literature
Period of political fragmentation also characterized by cultural development that included the writing of the:
Ramayana
Mahabharata
Includes Bhagavad-Gita
Period also saw developments in herbal medicines and linguistics

10. Bhagavad-Gita
Addresses contradiction between duty to society and duty to one’s own soul.
Suggests this contradiction can be resolved when one is aware that any form of disciplined action taken without regard for personal benefit is a service to the gods.

11. New Dynasties
Andhra dynasty established in an independent state in the Deccan (2nd century B.C.E. to 2nd century C.E.)
Southern India divided among 3 Tamil kingdoms:
Cholas
Pandyas
Cheras
Period of great artistic achievement

12. Gupta Empire Began with the kingdom of Magadha
Brought northern and central India under their control, but not the southern part.
Guptas controlled iron deposits, established state monopolies, and collected a 25% agricultural tax.
Never were as strong as Mauryan Empire.

13. Gupta Control Used army to control core of the empire.
Provincial administration was left to governors who often made posts into hereditary and subordinate kingdoms and kingship groups.
Exercised power as a “theater-state”
Redistributed profits and luxury goods from trade
Dazzling dependents with elaborate ceremonies in return for gifts and other favors

14. About the Gupta
Very little archaeological data and few contemporary accounts from which we can learn about the Gupta.
Court supported mathematics and astronomy
Gupta invented our “Arabic” numerals and the concept of “zero”.

15. Women in the Gupta period
Lost right to inherit and own property
Could not participate in key rituals
Treated like lowest varna (Shudra)
Married very young
In some places, a widow was required to burn herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.
Ways to escape low status:
Join religious community
Be a courtesan

16. Hinduism in the Gupta period
Development of the classic form of Hindu temples.
Featured:
Exterior courtyard
Inner shrine
Wall decorations

17. Trade and Collapse
Gupta India was linked to the outside world by extensive trade networks.
Trade with southeast and east Asia was particularly flourishing.
Gupta empire collapsed under the financial burden of defense against the Huns.