Ancient Civilizations India Maurya Gupta Geography Environment The

Ancient Civilizations: India Maurya & Gupta

Geography & Environment

The Geography • On which continent is India located? • Asia; India is a subcontinent of Asia

Wildlife

The Geography • On which river did the ancient Indians settle? • The Indus & Ganges Rivers

EWWWWWW

Early Indian Empires

The Mauryan Empire

Mauryan Empire • Established in 322 BC by the great Indian military leader, Chandragupta Maurya

Mauryan Empire • Politically united North India for the first time ever • Created a highly effective government; included tax collection & the enforcement of laws

Mauryan Empire • In 269 BC Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, became emperor of the Mauryan Empire

Mauryan Empire • After many years of violent conquest, Asoka felt remorseful

Mauryan Empire • Converted to Buddhism & ruled by Buddha’s teaching of “peace to all beings” • Spread Buddhism throughout India & other parts of Asia via missionaries

Asoka’s Rock Edicts • Laws carved on rock pillars were placed throughout the empire • Stressed concern for other human beings

The Gupta Empire

Gupta Empire • After the fall of the Mauryan Empire India experienced 500 years of chaos • Finally in AD 320 a strong leader known as Chandra Gupta rose to power in Northern India

Gupta Empire • 320 AD to 535 AD • India’s “Golden Age, ” or the flourishing of arts & sciences

Gupta’s Golden Age • Achievements in Mathematics: • Principles of algebra • Infinity & Zero • Value of Pi • Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3…

Gupta’s Golden Age • Achievements in Science: • Earth is round • Identified 7 planets • Invented medical instruments, performed operations, set bones, etc.

Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta? Chandragupta Mauryan

Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta? Asoka

Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta? Golden Age

Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta? First to unite Northern India

Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta? Creation of 0 and Arabic Numbers

Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta? Rock Edicts

Quick Review: Mauryan or Gupta? Advances in Science

The THREE PILLARS of Indian Life

1) The Caste System • The Caste System: • System of social hierarchy within India • 5 different castes (social classes)

Ca st e Sy st em Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras Priests Nobles, warriors, royalty Merchants & skilled workers Servants, peasants, slaves, laborers Untouchables: Outcasts = outside caste system

Caste Purity? • Members of higher castes were considered more pure • Untouchables were considered spiritually polluted; ignored by members of other castes

Caste Roles • Different castes were viewed as being different species • Castes were separated from each other (location, housing, clothing, occupation, etc. )

Caste Roles • If you were obedient to the restrictions of your caste, you would be reincarnated into a higher caste

2) Family • One was aware of his or her caste from childhood • It was the FAMILY’S responsibility to teach children about caste, as well as their expected duties/behaviors

2) Family • Family needs ALWAYS came before individual wishes • Patriarchal society

3) Village • Community served as the heart of Indian life • Community needs ALWAYS came before individual wishes

3) Village • Different castes lived together in the SAME village • WHY IS THIS SO?

Relay