1. Quick Review of Indian History
Harappan
Indo European (Hellenistic Culture)
Alexander the Great
And Mauryan

2. India Establishes an Empire

3. Mauryan Empire
Mauryan Empire: the first empire in India, founded by Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta unifies north India
Running the Empire
Life in the City and the Country
Asoka Grandson of Chandragupta; leader who brought the Mauryan Empire to its greatest height
Asoka Promotes Buddhism
Religious Toleration: acceptance of people who held different beliefs

4. Period of Turmoil Asoka’s death left a power vacuum
Flood of Greeks, Persians, and Central Asians poured into northern India
Southern India experiences turmoil
Home to 3 kingdoms that had never been conquered by Mauryans
These people spoke the Tamil language (also the people who speak that language are called Tamil)
Period of Turmoil

5. Gupta Empire is Established
Gupta Empire: the second empire in India, founded by Chandra Gupta I in 320 A.D.
Most Indian families were patriarchal: headed by the eldest male
Some Tamil groups were Matriarchal: headed by the mother rather than father

6. Trade Spreads Indian Religions and Culture
What do you remember about Buddhism and Hinduism????
Trade Spreads Indian Religions and Culture
Invaders poured into India, bringing new ideas and customs, therefore, Indian culture changed.

7. A more popular form of Buddhism
Religions Change
A Hindu Rebirth
A more popular form of Buddhism
Mahayana: sect of Buddhism that offers salvation to all and allows popular worship
Theravada: a sect of Buddhism focusing on the strict spiritual discipline originally advocated by the Buddha
Stupas: mounded stone structures built over Buddhist holy relics
Brahma: Hindu god considered the creator of the world
Vishnu: Hindu god considered the preserver of the world
Shiva: Hindu god considered the destroyer of the world

8. Achievements of Indian Culture
Kalidasa: one of India’s greatest writers and may have been the court poet for Chandra Gupta II
Silk Roads: system of ancient caravan routes across Central Asia, along which traders carried silk and other trade goods