MAURYAN EMPIRE324 B.C.E.- 185 B.C.E.

WHAPPeriod 5

Rachel GreenleePercy Strowhorn III

Geography•Originated in the Punjab region (modern day Pakistan) and migrated to the Southeast.•Generated from Magadha Kingdom

•Pataliputra (shown in the map)

• Chandragupta 305 B.C.E.

•Ashoka 250 B.C.E.

Trade Magadha was cultural trade center

and port due its proximity to the Ganges river beds

Khyber Pass (modern boundary of Pakistan

and Afghanistan) was Mauryan access to outside trade with Greek states and Hellenistic Kingdoms, Southeast Asia

Exports- silk products, spices, textiles, exotic foods

War 305 B.C.E. Seleucus Nikator and

Macedonians invaded Punjab. Peace treaty- Maurya annexed three

richest provinces along Indus as well as Kabul, Gandhara, and parts of Persia; boundary was moved west of Hindu Kush.

Bindusara conquered Deccan Highlands, annexed 16 small kingdoms except problematic Kalinga.

Ashoka invaded Kalinga (southern India) and finally conquered it.

Agriculture

Agriculture drove economy. Magadha sat on rich, fertile soil and

near mineral deposits. Cultivated wheat, barley, pulses,

and rice. State owned and taxed large farms

run by slaves and farm laborers. Irrigation developed due to

Monsoon seasons in the summer.

Weaponry Armored Chariots,

soon replaced by horses

Iron blades War elephants Swords Infantry Calvary

Population, Disease, Migration

Population at its largest estimated at 50 Million under Ashoka’s reign.

Wars took lives of soldiers, though not significantly.

New annexes acquired more people and contributed to population growth, along with agricultural aspects.

Social Structure Caste System: caste was determined at birth

depending on the level of “impurity” or contact with pollutants such as blood, menstrual flow, saliva, feces, dirt, and hair.

1. Brahmans (priests/philosophers)2. Kshatriyas (warriors)3. Vaisyas (originally peasants, later became

merchants)4. Sudras (serfs)5. Pachamas (untouchables) who were

generally excluded from the system because they were considered constantly impure.

Gender Structure Upper class women received education and

recognition for artistic achievement. Brahmans thought knowledge was for men and

generally opposed female education. Position of women declined as more honor was

bestowed upon men. The marriage age of women decreased. According to Buddhism, males and females

should be equal. Ashoka advocated women’s rights, unlike his oppressive grandfather, Chandrgupta.

The social precedence of women was determined by the number of male sons she bared.

The Arts The wealthy enjoyed festivals,

gambling, horsemanship, horseracing, archery, swimming competition, and private parties.

Brahmans taught grammar, rhetoric, economics and politics.

Pataliputra also had trade guilds and schools that taught crafts and technical subjects.

Famous for architecture, created beautiful Buddhist-influenced structures, including stupas and pillars.

Ashoka built shrines and monasteries and had rocks and beautifully carved pillars (right) inscribed with Buddhist teachings.

Writing System/ Language

Sanskrit- classical language of India, began as Vedic Sanskrit, influenced many languages, still used as Hindu language today.

Pali (Canon)- lithurgical language (dialect) of Buddhism

Greek- often spoken in Northwest areas that had strong Greek influence.

Literature/ Sacred Writings

Chanakya is the author of Arthasastra (science of property and material success)

Indica- work of Mansthenes, discusses Indian agricultural practices and Mauryan-Seleucin relations.

Vedas- Hindu hymns and rituals (Upinshads and Bghavad Gita as well)

Government Structure Divided into 4 geographical

provinces, each governed by a governor (Rajukas, reported to the king) and council of ministers.

Each minister was in charge of a different ministry (i.e. taxation, military, agriculture etc.)

The King (Empire) was the head of the Empire and was aided by a prime minister.

Rule was derived from Arthashastra and Indica

Espionage- spies could contact the King at any time.

After Ashoka became Buddhist, he exercised Dhamma Mahamatta (the spread of Ashoka’s dharma ) Most agreed with his new beliefs and became Buddhism spread.

Family Organization

Senior male was head of family. Wife designates tasks assigned to

female family members. Boys were often doted on, while

girls were neglected. Wives were expected to obedient

housewives and worship their husbands.

Religious Beliefs Buddhism- after the Kalinga war,

Ashoka witnessed the horrors of warfare and became Buddhist, spreading it throughout the nation. He served harmony and increased general compassion among the citizens. Promoted equality o Hindus and Jains.

Hinduism- closely tied to Buddhism. Most common religion before Buddhism, Vishnu and Shiva, karma, transmigration.

Jainism- Existed along with Hinduism. No god, believed in the “own nature of things.”Stressed spirtual independence and equality of life, non-violent, small though influential religion.

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