1. India Unites: The Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties

3. Aryan Age ends with Invasion of Darius and Alexander

4. India begins to Unite c. 400-300BCE
Persia first united NW India under Cyrus and Darius

5. c. 330 Alexander the Great conquered Persia Greek empire failed when Alexander died Now a native Indian Empire would begin.

6. The Mauryan Empire 321-180 BCE

7. Politics Founded by Chandragupta Maurya ( 324 to 301 B.C.)
Increased centralized govt control over regional kingdoms
large army of 700,000
secret police to watch for treason
301 BCE gave up his throne to & became a Jain monk (extreme Buddhism)

8. Ashoka Maurya

9. Ashoka 268-232 BC Most important ruler in ancient India
Brutal military commander who extended the Empire throughout S. and E. India
Battle of Kalinga BC
100,000 Kalingans died
150,000 Kalingans driven from their home
More died from disease & starvation in the aftermath of the destruction brought on by the war
“What have I done?”
Ashoka and many Indian leaders converted to Buddhism after this battle and became pacifists
He spent the rest of his life encouraging non-violence, moderation and Buddhist principles to India

10. Asoka’s Buddhist Rock and Pillar Edicts
spread Buddhist principles
scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal,Pakistan, & Afghanistan.
Each pillar is 40’-50’ high.
helped bring order and unity to India

11. Trade/Economy Agricultural economy
New canals and irrigation systems for trade and agriculture.
renovated major roads throughout India.
built towns for spinning & weaving textiles
uniform system of currency, weights and measures
Created provinces ruled by governors for tax assessments and law enforcement
Taxes rose over time to build Ashoka’s projects which led to Empire’s fall at Ashoka’s death
Increased trade by uniting India
India traded silk, cotton, and spices to Mesopotamia, China, Egypt and Rome
Done
Silver punch mark coin

12. Indian Agriculture State farms operated and cultivated by slaves.
Grew Rice, Pepper, Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Sugar Cane, Medicinal Roots
Done

13. Religion Buddhism grows
built thousands of Stupas for Buddhist followers.
built Buddhist schools and universities
the unnecessary eating of animals was abolished.
Wildlife became protected including the first national parks in the world
promoted vegetarianism and built animal hospitals.
Ashoka’s empire died out slowly after he died

14. The Sanchi Stupa (Buddhist temple) by Ashoka

15. Similarities between Buddhist Stupas and Pagotas
Buddhism architecture spread from India when Buddhism spread aver the next 1000 years

16. The Mauryan Empire at its Height

17. Social
The Caste System limited social opportunities & determined who people could marry
• Families are patriarchal—headed by the eldest male
Laws limited women’s life and abilities
Sati was sometimes practiced
Done
“Even a man in the grip of rage will not be harsh to a woman, remembering that on her depends the joy of love, happiness and virtue” Mahabharata epic

18. Indian Population
50 million people during Mauryan Empire
Done

19. The Arts transition from wood to stone in their architecture and art
Indian Stupa
Ashoka's Pillars
Done

20. After the Mauryans: Regional Rule and the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism

21. Regional Kingdoms and local rule - 185 BCE to CE 300
Northern India
Invading HUNS built new small regional kingdoms
Hindu Kush civilizations
Most powerful regional kingdoms for trade across the region and along the Silk Road
Jainism grew in influence during this time of confusion since the leaders pushing Hindu and Buddhism were weakened

22. Jainism – like Hindu and Buddhism
Believe in karma, dharma and Moksha
expected to follow five principles of living:
Ahimsa: "non violence in all parts of a person -- mental, verbal and physical."
Satya: speaking truth; avoiding falsehood
Asteya: to not steal from others
Brahma-charya: (soul conduct); remaining sexually monogamous to one's spouse only
Aparigraha: detach from people, places and material things. Avoiding the collection of excessive material possessions, abstaining from over- indulgence, restricting one's needs,