1. Classical Mauryan Empire
The Aryans and Mauryans

2. Do you recognize which modern nation
the Mauryan empire was located in?

3. Instructions:
Follow your teacher’s instructions about completing the Maurya Graphic Organizer using the information in this presentation.
You will be identifying characteristics of the empire and adding them to your organizer in the appropriate category.

4. Review: Indus River Valley Civilization
1750 BC – quality of building in cities declined
Falls into decay
1500 BC – civilization nearing the end
Not exactly sure why
Indian civilization basically disappears

5. Aryan Invasions 1,600 BCE - 1,000 BCE Indo-Europeans
Waves of migration over a long period of time
Indo-Europeans
Semi-nomadic peoples from north of Ancient Mesopotamia
Pastoralists –
herded cattle,
sheep, and goats

6. Aryan Invasions
Incorporated many parts of their culture and shaped a new Classical India
Polytheistic religion of Aryans lead to
Hinduism

7. Polytheistic religion
Vedas – sacred literature of Hinduism
Collection of prayers, spells, and instructions for rituals
Passed down orally until Sanskrit invented

8. Born into caste for life
Role in society
Brahmins = priests and scholars
Kshatriyas = rulers and warriors
Vaishyas = peasants and traders
Shudras = non-Aryans laborers
Born into caste for life
Determined work, marriage, with whom they can eat
Caste System

9. Aryan tribes turn to chiefdoms
Aryan Kingdoms
Aryan tribes turn to chiefdoms
Expand Indian civilization to the Ganges and Yamuna river valleys
By 1,000 B.C. - chiefdoms become territorial kingdoms
Fought for land and power
Each king claimed power over the others as a right from the gods

10. Fragmented, weak regional kingdoms Invaders can easily overtake them
Background Info
Fragmented, weak regional kingdoms Invaders can easily overtake them
Alexander the Great brought most of north India under his control

11. The Mauryan Empire
Around 323 B.C.E., a great empire emerged in northern India. It was called the Mauryan empire.
The rulers of this empire
conquered most of
northern and central India.
It was a vast empire.

12. Chandragupta Maurya (321 BCE- 298 BCE)
First Mauryan emperor
Inspired by Alexander the
Great’s invasion to unify Indians
Centralized government
Divided into provinces for tax collection and easier law enforcement
Well organized bureaucracy

13. Ashoka’s Empire

14. Ashoka Maurya (268 BCE-232BCE)
Chandragupta’s grandson, 3rd Mauryan emperor
Extended rule to most of India
Fierce and successful fighter
Converted to Buddhism
Spread throughout India and China – missionaries
Incorporated into government – rock and pillar edicts
Still honored Hinduism
Empire fell apart after his death
Broke into fragmented regional kingdoms again

15. Ashoka’s Economic System
Enhanced trade throughout the empire
Created a single currency
Established roads to promote trade and transportation
Trees and watering stations
Public works and waterways to enhance farmer productivity
Had concern for his people’s health and well-being

16. Ashoka’s Rock and Pillar Edicts
Written law code
Publicly displayed
Scattered across the empire
Each pillar about 40’-50’ high
Buddhist principles dominated

17. The Collapse of the Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan empire began to weaken after the death of King Asoka.
The last emperor was assassinated around 185 B.C.
Five centuries of disorder followed.

18. Processing
Create a gamer tag or username for each of the following people:
An Aryan invader
A member of one of the castes (your choice)
Chandragupta Mauyra
Ashoka Maurya
Make it clever, unique and school appropriate. Make sure it applies to each person.
Write these in the center box of your organizer
Example: for Sam Houston, commander at the Battle of San Jacinto – Sanjacdude