Chandragupta 324 BCE301 BCE Unified northern India Divided

Chandragupta: 324 BCE-301 BCE § Unified northern India. § Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement. § He feared assassination food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. §At the end of his life gave up his throne & became a Jain.

Kautilya § Chandragupta’s advisor. § Brahmin caste. § Wrote The Treatise on Material Gain or the Arthashastra. § A guide for the king and his ministers: Ø Supports royal power. Ø The great evil in society is anarchy. Ø Therefore, a single authority is needed to employ force when necessary!

Asoka (304 – 232 BCE) § Religious conversion after the gruesome battle of Kalinga in 262 BCE. § Dedicated his life to Buddhism. § Built extensive roads. § Conflict how to balance Kautilya’s methods of keeping power and Buddha’s demands to become a selfless person?

Maurya Contributions v. United much of India for the first time v. Trade flourished v. Spread Buddhist religion- missionary activity v. The Capital Pataliputra was one of the largest and richest cities of its time v Schools, library v Learning was highly advanced

Asoka’s Empire

Asoka’s law code § Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan. § Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic. § 10 rock edicts. § Each pillar [stupa] is 40’-50’ high. § Buddhist principles dominate his laws.

One of Asoka’s Stupas

Women Under an Asoka tree

The Maurya Empire 321 BCE – 185 BCE

Turmoil & a power Vacuum: 220 BCE – 320 CE Ta mi ls The Maurya Empire is divided into many kingdoms.

The Kushan Empire • Modern day Afghanistan • Key link in the silk road- location between China & Roman Empire – Helps expand the role of India in world trade – Especially as sailors learned to navigate the Indian Ocean • Developed a calendar – Based on Moon & Sun

THE GUPTA EMPIRE SWBAT: - IDENTIFY SOME KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF GUPTA RULE - EXPLAIN HOW HINDUISM INFLUENCED GUPTA SOCIETY & CULTURE DESCRIBE THE ADVANCES PEOPLE OF THE GUPTA EMPIRE MADE IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES

Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE

Gupta Rulers § Chandra Gupta I v r. 320 – 335 CE v “Great King of Kings” § Chandra Gupta II v r. 375 - 415 CE v Profitable trade with the Mediterranean world! § Hindu revival. § Huns invade – 450 CE

Chandra Gupta II

Gupta Dynasty • Hegemony rather than dominant rule • Renaissance of Literature & Philosophy – Writing down of literature – Epic poems and plays of Kalidasa

Fa-Hsien (Faxian) : Life in Gupta India § Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the Silk Road and visited India in the 5 c. § He was following the path of the Buddha. § He reported the people to be happy, relatively free of government oppression, and inclined towards courtesy and charity. §Other references in the journal, however, indicate that the caste system was rapidly assuming its basic features, including "untouchability, " the social isolation of a lowest class that is doomed to menial labor.

Gupta Government • Efficient central government, but less central than Maurya • Local Gov- Local leaders were elected by merchants & artisans – Each village – a headman & council made decisions for the village.

Organization of Village Life • Village ran their own affairs and faced little interference from central gov – As long as taxes were paid • Life was governed by caste rules and traditions

Organization of Family Life v. Joint Familiesv. Patriarchal Structure v. Children & Marriage v Arranged marriages v Only could marry within their caste

Role of Women v. Became more restricted over time b/c of the role of Hindu law v. Upper-class women v. Restricted to their home v. Had to cover themselves from head to toe when out v. Lower-class women v. Worked in the fields or spinning and weaving

International Trade Routes during the Guptas

Extensive Trade: 4 c sp ic es rice & whea horses t vory i & gold ods o g on cott s silk ods o g on t t o c spices gold & ivory

Kalidasa § The greatest of Indian poets. § His most famous play was Shakuntala. § During the reign of Chandra Gupta II.

Gupta Art Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Plastic Surgery Gupta Achievements 1000 diseases classified Kalidasa Literature Medicine Inoculations Gupta India C-sections performed Decimal System Mathematics Concept of Zero PI = 3. 1416 Solar Calendar Astronomy The earth is round

Scientific and Artistic Contributions • Mathematics – Zero & decimal system • Medicine – Used herbs and other remedies to treat illnesses – Set bones – Repair facial injuries w/ plastic surgery – Vaccinated ppl against smallpox 1, 000 years before Europe.

• Architecture – Hindu temples- Square within a circle – Stupas- large dome-shaped shrines that contained remains of holy people • Literature – Sanskrit language – fables and folk tales – Kalidasa’s Shakuntala

The Decline of the Guptas § Invasion of the White Huns in the 4 c. . § QUESTION: Is the best literature and art written as the civilization is on the rise, at its height, or in its decline?

End of Gupta Rule • Weak rulers • Foreign invasions –White Huns from Central Asia • Disrupted trade

Bhartrhari § 5 c India court poet and philosopher. Knowledge is man's crowning mark, A treasure secretly buried, The source of luxury, fame, and bliss, A guru most venerable, A friend on foreign journeys, The pinnacle of divinity. Knowledge is valued by kings beyond wealth--When he lacks it, a man is a brute.