1. India is a peninsula. It is surrounded by
water on three sides.
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2. The Ganges is an important and sacred river in northern India.
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3. The Himalayas are mountains separating India from China.
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4. The Himalayas have passes. Alexander the Great marched into India.
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5. India also experiences the monsoon. The monsoons are winds that bring
the rains.
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6. The monsoons are vital for farming.
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7. The Mauryan Empire was founded in northern India in 322 B.C.
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8. While there were many significant rulers, King Asoka was the greatest
ruler of the Mauryan
empire.
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9. He was religiously tolerant. He respected all religions.
Asoka converted to Buddhism after witnessing a particularly bloody battle.
He was religiously tolerant. He respected all religions.
He improved roads, built hospitals, and sent teachers to Buddhism.
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10. King Asoka encouraged teachers to spread Buddhism throughout India and
beyond.
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11. The Mauryan empire began to weaken after the death of Asoka.
The last emperor was assassinated around 185 B.C.
Five centuries of disorder followed.
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12. However, Asoka
ordered his words for peace and tolerance carved on pillars. These pillars of Asoka can still be found in India today.
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