Maurya and Gupta Maurya and Gupta EmpiresEmpires

Indian SocietyIndian Society

People lived in the caste system People lived in the caste system (REVIEW!)(REVIEW!)

Indians lived in extended familiesIndians lived in extended families Women have less rights then Women have less rights then

men – arranged marriages, no men – arranged marriages, no propertyproperty

Practice of the SetteePractice of the Settee

Maurya EmpireMaurya Empire

Threats from outside invaders Threats from outside invaders like Alexander the Great (327 like Alexander the Great (327 BC) helped create the need BC) helped create the need for an empire in India …for an empire in India …

Maurya EmpireMaurya Empire

Chandragupta MauryaChandragupta Maurya• Established Mauryan EmpireEstablished Mauryan Empire• Capital at Pataliputra (most lavish city in Capital at Pataliputra (most lavish city in

the world)the world)• Well-organized bureaucratic governmentWell-organized bureaucratic government• Secret police force maintained orderSecret police force maintained order• Leader feared assassination – focused Leader feared assassination – focused

on personal protectionon personal protection

AshokaAshoka Maurya “Philosopher King”Maurya “Philosopher King” Early years – powerful raja – engaged in war, Early years – powerful raja – engaged in war,

death, and destructiondeath, and destruction Converted to BuddhismConverted to Buddhism Built Rock Edicts to commemorate places Built Rock Edicts to commemorate places

important to Buddhist historyimportant to Buddhist history Public Works – built roads, hospitals, and Public Works – built roads, hospitals, and

cared for childrencared for children Brought peace and wealthBrought peace and wealth Decline of Maurya Empire by 185 BCDecline of Maurya Empire by 185 BC

ASHOKAASHOKA

Mauryan EmpireMauryan Empire

Asoka’s Honors BuddhismAsoka’s Honors Buddhism

Buddhism in IndiaBuddhism in India

Between the Empires…Between the Empires…

Trade develops – Silk RoadTrade develops – Silk Road Intellectual, social, and Intellectual, social, and

economic development economic development throughout India…throughout India…

Tamil EmpiresTamil Empires Kushan KingdomsKushan Kingdoms

Gupta EmpireGupta Empire Known as the “Golden Age”Known as the “Golden Age” Pataliputra Capital CityPataliputra Capital City Strong central government, but the Strong central government, but the

local governments retained powerlocal governments retained power Economy based on trade and farmingEconomy based on trade and farming

• Silk Road trade / Religious pilgrims Silk Road trade / Religious pilgrims brought wealth from China in tradebrought wealth from China in trade

Many folk tales written in SanskritMany folk tales written in Sanskrit Peaceful and prosperous time periodPeaceful and prosperous time period

Gupta EmpireGupta Empire

Gupta CurrencyGupta Currency

Gupta LearningGupta Learning

Religiously based education – Hindu Religiously based education – Hindu and Buddhistand Buddhist

Studied math, physics, and astronomyStudied math, physics, and astronomy Developed “Arabic” numbers, concept Developed “Arabic” numbers, concept

of zero, and 10-based decimal systemof zero, and 10-based decimal system Skilled surgeons and made advanced Skilled surgeons and made advanced

operating toolsoperating tools Vaccinated people for smallpoxVaccinated people for smallpox Wrote the Mahabharata and RamayanaWrote the Mahabharata and Ramayana

Gupta Arts and ArchitectureGupta Arts and Architecture

Rajas built stone Hindu temples – Rajas built stone Hindu temples – people often moved into the area people often moved into the area which formed citieswhich formed cities

Buddhists built stupas to house Buddhists built stupas to house remains of holy individuals as well as remains of holy individuals as well as pillars and rock chamberspillars and rock chambers

Elaborate carvings decorated parts of Elaborate carvings decorated parts of both groups’ religious structuresboth groups’ religious structures

Hindu TempleHindu Temple

Buddhist Stupa at Hill of SanchiBuddhist Stupa at Hill of Sanchi