1. Mauryan Empire

2. Discuss the political organization of the Mauryan Empire, and how did ideas promoted by the Arthasastra influence the government?
Janapadas (700 BCE – 300 BCE)
Territories with leadership determined by family lineage
Urban capitals and political administrations (republics and monarachies)
Magadha emerges as an imperial power over all
Chandragupta Maurya – emerges as leader of Magadha in 321BCE
Exerts authority over other Janapadas
Replaces the familial lineage in political structures w/ “imperial government”
Bureaucratic organization – 4 regions, and local governments
Responsible for collecting taxes and administering the laws

3. Janapadas (Magadha)

4. Artha-sastra
Governed according to the Artha-sastra – manual of politics and economics attributed to Kautilya, minister of Chandragupta Maurya
Danda niti – “policy of the scepter” or “Policy of the big stick”
Describe some of the components of governing according to the Artha-sastra

5. Mauryan Kings
Chandragupta Maurya-became king of Magadha. Conquered much of Northern India
Bindusara-expanded still further the empire
Asoka-brought the empire to its greatest size and power (100 million)

6. Discuss gender and the treatment of women in Mauryan society.
State enforced rule of behavior between males and females
Males
Females

7. What role did the government play in religion and the social hierarchy?

8. Discuss the causes for and results of Asoka’s conversion to Buddhism.

9. Maurya Empire at its height under Asoka
Stupa at Sanchi (Asoka)

10. Maurya Empire
Asoka

12. Buddhist Dharma

13. Describe the Mauryan Empire’s collapse.

14. What happened after the collapse
What happened after the collapse? Include political and cultural changes.