1. Chapter 4.2 Guided Reading and Review
Powerful Empires of India

2. A. Main Ideas 1. Maurya Dynasty:
Location/ Capital: Ganges Valley and the
Deccan/Pataliputra
Government: Well organized bureaucracy
Emperors: Founded by Chandragupta Maurya most honored
emperor was Asoka who ruled by moral example and
greatly improved life for his people
Cause of Decline: When Asoka died, rival princes battled for
power and the empire fell apart

3. A. Main Ideas 2. Kingdoms of the Deccan:
Location/ Capital: The Deccan Plateau
People: Dravidians; had different language and traditions from
the Aryans in the north
Tamil Kingdoms: often ruled by a queen; left a rich literary
history; trade was important
Religion: Hindu and Buddhist traditions linked with the local
culture; Rulers where tolerant of all religions

4. A. Main Ideas 3. Gupta Dynasty: Location/ Capital: Northern India
Government: Strong central government, some power left to
individual villages and cities
Trade and Farming: exported cotton cloth, pottery, and metal-
ware to East Africa, the Middle-east, and
South-east Asia; Harvested wheat, rice, and
sugar cane
Arts and Learning: painting on temple walls, collected and recorded fables and folktales in Sanskrit; religious schools also taught medicine, literature, languages, physics, and mathematics

5. B. Reviewing Key Terms
4. Chandragupta Maurya: Founded the Mauyra Dynasty and forged the first great Indian Empire

6. B. Reviewing Key Terms
5. Asoka: Extended the holdings of the Maurya dynasty, eventually rejected violence and vowed to lead by moral example; greatly improved the lives of his people

7. B. Reviewing Key Terms
6. Faxian: Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India and reported on Gupta Rule

8. B. Reviewing Key Terms
7. Kalidasa: The greatest Gupta poet and playwright, he wrote the play Shakuntala