India and China Establish Empires 400 B C

India and China Establish Empires, 400 B. C. – A. D. 550 India and China establish powerful empires and develop strong, vibrant cultures. Striding infantryman, China. NEXT

Section 1 India’s First Empires The Mauryas and the Guptas establish empires, but neither unifies India permanently. NEXT

SECTION 1 India’s First Empires The Mauryan Empire Is Established Map Chandragupta Maurya Seizes Power • In 321 B. C. , Chandragupta Maurya seizes power, starts Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya Unifies North India • Chandragupta defeats Seleucus I; north India united for first time • Chandragupta uses taxes to support his large army Running the Empire • Chandragupta’s chief adviser is Kautilya, a priest • Chandragupta creates bureaucratic government • He divides the government to make it easier to rule Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued The Mauryan Empire Is Established Life in the City and the Country • A Greek ambassador writes glowing praise of the empire • Chandragupta’s son rules from 301 to 269 B. C. , 32 years • Asoka—Chandragupta’s grandson, brings the empire to its height Image Asoka Promotes Buddhism • After a bloody war with Kalinga, Asoka promotes Buddhism and peace • Preaches religious toleration—accepting people of different religions • Builds roads, with wells along them NEXT

SECTION 1 A Period of Turmoil The Breakup of the Mauryan Empire • Asoka dies in 232 B. C. ; kingdoms in central India soon break away • The Andhra Dynasty dominates central India for centuries • Northern India receives immigrants from Greece, other parts of Asia • Tamils—a people living in southern India— remain separate and frequently war with rival peoples NEXT

SECTION 1 The Gupta Empire Is Established Chandra Gupta Builds an Empire Map • Chandra Gupta marries into kingship in north India in A. D. 320 • Starts Gupta Empire—India’s second empire; flowering of Indian civilization, especially Hindu culture • His son Samudra Gupta expands empire with conquest Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued The Gupta Empire Is Established Daily Life in India • Majority of Indians are farmers; entire family raises crops together • Families are patriarchal—headed by the eldest male • Farmers have to contribute work to government and pay heavy taxes • Some Tamil families are matriarchal—led by mother rather than father Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued The Gupta Empire Is Established Height of the Gupta Empire • Chandra Gupta II rules from A. D. 375– 415 • He defeats the Shakas and adds western coast to empire • Gupta Empire sees flourishing of arts, religion, and science • After Chandra Gupta II dies, the empire declines NEXT

Section 2 Trade Spreads Indian Religions and Culture Indian religions, culture, and science evolve and spread to other regions through trade. NEXT

SECTION 2 Trade Spreads Indian Religions and Culture Buddhism and Hinduism Change Traditional Hindu and Buddhist Beliefs • Hinduism blends Aryan and other beliefs; belief in many gods • To Buddhists, desire causes suffering but suffering can be overcome Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued Buddhism and Hinduism Change A More Popular Form of Buddhism • Belief in bodhisattvas develops—potential Buddhas who save humanity • Mahayana sect—Buddhists accepting new doctrines of worship, salvation • Theravada sect—Buddhists who follow original teachings of Buddha • Wealthy Buddhist merchants build stupas— stone structures over relics Image Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued Buddhism and Hinduism Change A Hindu Rebirth • Hinduism is remote from people by time of Mauryan Empire • Hinduism moves toward monotheism; gods part of one divine force • Chief gods: Brahma—creator of the world Vishnu—preserver of the world Shiva—destroyer of the world Image NEXT

Brahma, a Hindu god.

SECTION 2 Achievements of Indian Culture Literature and the Performing Arts • Kalidasa—poet and dramatist, one of India’s greatest writers • His skillful and emotionally stirring plays still popular • Madurai writing academies create literature; 2, 000 Tamil poems survive • Drama and dance troupes gain popularity and travel widely Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued Achievements of Indian Culture Astronomy, Mathematics, and Medicine • Ocean trade leads to advances in astronomy • Indian astronomers in Gupta Empire prove that world is round • Mathematicians develop idea of zero and decimal system • Doctors write medical guides and make advances in surgery NEXT

SECTION 2 The Spread of Indian Trade India’s Valuable Resources • India has spices, diamonds, precious stones, and good quality wood Image Overland Trade, East and West • Trade routes called Silk Roads connect Asia and Europe • Indians build trading posts to take advantage of the Silk Roads Sea Trade, East and West • Indian merchants carry goods to Rome by sea • Merchants trade by sea with Africa, Arabia, China, Southeast Asia Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued The Spread of Indian Trade Effects of Indian Trade • Increased trade leads to rise of banking • Bankers lend money to merchants, careful of degree of risk • Increased trade spreads Indian culture to other places • Trade brings Hinduism, Buddhism to other lands Interactive NEXT

Section 3 Han Emperors in China The Han Dynasty expands China’s borders and develops a system of government that lasts for centuries. NEXT

SECTION 3 Han Emperors in China The Han Restore Unity to China Troubled Empire • In Qin Dynasty peasants resent high taxes and harsh labor, rebel Liu Bang Founds the Han Dynasty • Liu Bang defeats Xiang Yu, a rival for power, and founds Han Dynasty • Han Dynasty—begins in 202 B. C. , lasts 400 years • Han Dynasty has great influence on Chinese people, culture • Liu Bang establishes centralized government—a central authority rules • Liu Bang lowers taxes and reduces punishments to keep people happy Interactive Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 3 continued The Han Restore Unity to China The Empress Lü • Liu Bang dies in 195 B. C. ; wife Lü seizes control of empire • Empress Lü rules for her young son, outlives him • Palace plots and power plays occur throughout Han Dynasty The Martial Emperor • Liu Bang’s great-grandson Wudi rules from 141 to 87 B. C. • “Martial Emperor” Wudi defeats Xiongnu (nomads) and mountain tribes • Colonizes Manchuria, Korea, and as far south as what is now Vietnam NEXT

SECTION 3 A Highly Structured Society Chart Emperor’s Role • Chinese believe their emperor has authority to rule from god • Believe prosperity reward of good rule; troubles reveal poor rule Structures of Han Government • Complex bureaucracy runs Han government • People pay taxes and supply labor, military service • Government uses peasant labor to carry out public projects Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 3 continued A Highly Structured Society Confucianism, the Road to Success • Wudi’s government employs 130, 000; bureaucracy of 18 ranks of jobs • Civil service jobs—government jobs obtained through examinations • Job applicants begin to be tested on knowledge of Confucianism • Wudi favors Confucian scholars, builds school to train them • Only sons of wealthy can afford expensive schooling • Civil service system works well, continues until 1912 NEXT

SECTION 3 Han Technology, Commerce, and Culture Technology Revolutionizes Chinese Life Chart • Invention of paper in A. D. 105 helps spread education • Collar harness, plow, wheelbarrow improve farming Agriculture Versus Commerce • As population grows, farming regarded as important activity • Government allows monopolies—control by one group over key industries • Techniques for producing silk become state secret as profits increase Image NEXT

SECTION 3 The Han Unifies Chinese Culture Bringing Different Peoples Under Chinese Rule • To unify empire, Chinese government encourages assimilation • Assimilation—integrating conquered peoples into Chinese culture • Writers encourage unity by recording Chinese history Image Women’s Roles—Wives, Nuns, and Scholars • Most women work in the home and on the farm • Some upper-class women are educated, run shops, practice medicine NEXT

SECTION 3 The Fall of the Han and Their Return The Rich Take Advantage of the Poor • Large landowners gain control of more and more land • Gap between rich and poor increases Wang Mang Overthrows the Han • Economic problems and weak emperors cause political instability • In A. D. 9, Wang Mang seizes power and stabilizes empire • Wang Mang is assassinated in A. D. 23; Han soon regain control The Later Han Years • Peace restored, Later Han Dynasty lasts until A. D. 220 NEXT