1. Ashoka Mauryan & the era of imperial Buddhist rule
Mauryan Dynasty

2. Aryans They could be responsible for Mauryan Dynasty
Aryan people from Central Asia moved into the Indus River Valley and into India
They could be responsible for Mauryan Dynasty
Violent or peaceful integration into region?
It is unclear to archeologists/historians

3. Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire
Read the article on Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire in classworks and answer the following:
What were Chandragupta’s accomplishments?
What was Ashoka’s early ambition as king?
Why did Ashoka convert to Buddhism?
Why is Ashoka considered an important patron Buddhist ruler?
Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta
- He proclaimed the Mauryan Empire, the first Indian empire - He united most of India by conquering all others with a vast army - The Indian Empire was divided into four zones, each having a prince. Each of the four zones was made up of many local regions headed by officials who collected taxes and enforced law. -Chandragupta’s son ruled the empire for only 32 years before Asoka brought the Empire to its greatest heights. 
Ashoka
Buddhism in India originated when Chandragupta’s grandson,Asoka became king of the Mauryan Empire in 269 BCE. - He studied Buddhism and decided to rule by Buddha’s teaching of peace to all - Asoka’s rules promised his subjects would be treated fairly and humanely - He built extensive roads and improved communication in India to uphold the well-being of the Indian people - When Asoka died (in 232 BCE), his policies of nonviolence and toleration no longer controlled India. 
Ashoka Maurya

4. In Documentary Form Ashoka What made Ashoka’s Rule unique?
Give examples of how he spread Buddhism.
Andrew Marr
2:50 – 8:50
Ashoka

5. A brief intro into Buddhism
Four Noble Truths:  1) Life is painful. 2) Pain is caused by desires. 3) To end pain, you must end desire. 4) To end desire, follow the eightfold path.
Discovered when Buddha sat under the Gobi Tree and reached enlightenment
Middle Way- one should live his/her life in moderation. It is like a Buddhist practice of non-extremism  Nirvana  - the release from selfishness and pain to end reincarnation
Eight Fold Path
A behavioral guide

6. Why would many merchants, women, and the poor support Ashoka?
Caste System- rigid social stratification of Hinduism. Social mobility only occurs between lives
Caste System
Hinduism was developed slowly, and cannot be traced back to a specific founder
(Aryans are thought to have started the religion).
Hindus are free to choose the gods they worship, if any at all and the path they want to take to achieve moksha. There are three paths:  1) the path of right thinking 2) the path of right action 3) the path of religious devotion
Moksha- freedom from reincarnation
Why would the Brahmin try to undermine Ashoka?

7. Qin Dynasty - Shihuangdi (Shi hwang dee)
Unified China – 221
(in only 10 years!)
Explain how this was something not something new or blue but something old.
Why was Shihuangdi able to quickly unify China?
He proudly names himself the
FIRST EMPEROR
QUICK! Compare to Rome

8. How did Han rule differ from rule under the Qin?
Why were Roman and Chinese empires able to enjoy long periods of relative stability?
Use pages