2. India’s First Empires Chapter 4 Section 3

3. Did You Know? Following Buddhist ways, Asoka respected all life and even created hospitals for animals. Following Buddhist ways, Asoka respected all life and even created hospitals for animals.

4. The Mauryan Dynasty Chandragupta Maurya: an Indian prince; founded India’s first empire after Alexander the Great left India Chandragupta Maurya: an Indian prince; founded India’s first empire after Alexander the Great left India This empire was called: “The Mauryan Empire” This empire was called: “The Mauryan Empire” Dynasty: is a series of ruler from the same family. Dynasty: is a series of ruler from the same family. From the capital city of Pataliputra, Chandragupta controlled his dynasty by retaining a strong army and spies. From the capital city of Pataliputra, Chandragupta controlled his dynasty by retaining a strong army and spies. Many historians consider Asoka the Mauryan dynasty’s greatest king. Many historians consider Asoka the Mauryan dynasty’s greatest king. After being a strong military leader, Asoka turned away from violence. After being a strong military leader, Asoka turned away from violence. He made a vow to live a peaceful life and follow Buddhism. He made a vow to live a peaceful life and follow Buddhism. Asoka did many great things for his people. Asoka did many great things for his people. He built hospitals and new roads and sent teachers throughout India to teach Buddhism. He built hospitals and new roads and sent teachers throughout India to teach Buddhism. Laborers built thousands of stupas, or Buddhist shrines. Laborers built thousands of stupas, or Buddhist shrines.

5. Discussion Question What happened as a result of Alexander the Great’s invasion of northern India? What happened as a result of Alexander the Great’s invasion of northern India? Alexander the Great’s army weakened the people of India. Alexander the Great’s army weakened the people of India. After Alexander the Great and his men left, the people could not resist Chandragupta. After Alexander the Great and his men left, the people could not resist Chandragupta.

6. The Gupta Empire After 500 years of fighting, another Chandragupta took power and founded the Gupta dynasty. After 500 years of fighting, another Chandragupta took power and founded the Gupta dynasty. After Chandragupta died, his son, Samudragupt, took over and expanded the empire. After Chandragupta died, his son, Samudragupt, took over and expanded the empire. The Guptas ruled for about 200 years. The Guptas ruled for about 200 years. They grew wealthy from trade with China and kingdoms in southeast Asia and the Mediterranean. They grew wealthy from trade with China and kingdoms in southeast Asia and the Mediterranean. Pilgrims: were people who often used the trade routes to travel to a religious shrine or site. Pilgrims: were people who often used the trade routes to travel to a religious shrine or site. Visiting pilgrims helped make cities wealthy just as tourists make cities wealthy today. Visiting pilgrims helped make cities wealthy just as tourists make cities wealthy today. The Guptas were Hindus, and they made Hinduism the official religion. The Guptas were Hindus, and they made Hinduism the official religion. The Golden Age of Art and Learning in India was during the Gupta Empire. The Golden Age of Art and Learning in India was during the Gupta Empire.

7. Discussion Question What advantage did the Gupta rulers have that the Mauryan rulers did not? What advantage did the Gupta rulers have that the Mauryan rulers did not? The kingdom had gotten smaller before the Gupta rulers took power. The kingdom had gotten smaller before the Gupta rulers took power. A smaller kingdom is easier to rule. A smaller kingdom is easier to rule.

8. Indian Literature and Science The Vedas of India are hymns and prayers used in religious ceremonies. The Vedas of India are hymns and prayers used in religious ceremonies. The epics Ramayana and Mahabarata that are still famous in India today. The epics Ramayana and Mahabarata that are still famous in India today. Both epics tell about warriors and their brave deeds. Both epics tell about warriors and their brave deeds. This is the center of Hinduism. This is the center of Hinduism. Kalidasa: was a writer who lived during the Gupta dynasty. His poem The Cloud Messenger is a popular Sanskrit poem. Kalidasa: was a writer who lived during the Gupta dynasty. His poem The Cloud Messenger is a popular Sanskrit poem. Music was an important part of the religious and social lives of people of India. Music was an important part of the religious and social lives of people of India.

9. Indian Literature and Science continued Remains of Indian art include mainly religious works made in stone. Remains of Indian art include mainly religious works made in stone. Aryabhata was a mathematician who lived during the Gupta dynasty. Aryabhata was a mathematician who lived during the Gupta dynasty. He was one of the first scientists to use algebra. He was one of the first scientists to use algebra. Mathematicians in the Gupta empire developed the symbols for the numbers 1 to 9 that we use today. Mathematicians in the Gupta empire developed the symbols for the numbers 1 to 9 that we use today. They also invented algorithms and the idea of zero. They also invented algorithms and the idea of zero. Indians also developed ideas in astronomy and medicine. Indians also developed ideas in astronomy and medicine.

10. Discussion Question What kinds of medical advances were made by Gupta doctors? What kinds of medical advances were made by Gupta doctors? Gupta doctors could set broken bones and perform surgeries. Gupta doctors could set broken bones and perform surgeries. The also developed medical tools. The also developed medical tools. One doctor even carried out an early form of plastic surgery. One doctor even carried out an early form of plastic surgery.