Interactive Notebook Setup 9262017 Maurya and Gupta Empires

Interactive Notebook Setup • 9/26/2017 • Maurya and Gupta Empires • This will be one page

Background Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments Background Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishments

Background Chandragupta Maurya created the 1 st unified Indian Empire Maurya dynasty (321– 184 BCE) Took advantage of power vacuum left by Alexander Hindu belief/Caste System remained from Vedic Indian Chandragupta and Asoka only real important leaders

The Maurya Empire 321 BCE – 185 BCE

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments §Maurya was able to rule such a large area by using a well organized bureaucracy §Divided his empire into provinces, then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement § He feared assassination food tasters, slept in different rooms, etc. § 301 BCE gave up his throne & became a Jain.

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments §Chandragupta’s advisor named Kautilya, a former member of the 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!

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments • Grandson of Chandragupta • Ashoka represents high point of Mauryan Empire, ruled 268 -232 BCE • Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south • Positive leadership integrated Indian society • Established capital at Pataliputra • Better known as a governor than conqueror

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments • Expanded major military conquest via the use of HUGE military • Estimates as high as 600, 000 men! • Major fortresses would be built to maintain control of areas recently conquered

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments • Asoka converted to and supported the spread of Buddhism by missionaries • Wrote universal law code on rocks or pillars – Influenced by Buddhism, but respected Hinduism

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments • Issued coins for trade • Encouraged and participated in trade on the Silk Road by building roads and rest houses

Maurya Characteristics/Accomplishments • City of Pataliputra was the capital and center of: – – Trade Art Education Political administration – Buddhist Culture/Religion

Background • After the Maurya collapsed India fell into disunity and disorder • Regional kingdoms were common for 400 years • Known as Golden Age of India, 321 CE– 550 CE • Never grew to the size of the Mauryan Empire

Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 647 CE

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment • After defeating rival kingdoms he would allow a defeated kings to retain his rule by paying the Gupta a determined price, called a tribute. – Became Tributary States • Most decisions and policy making was left up to local leaders • Would negotiate with/intermarry local leaders to maintain peace

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment • Gupta Empire was a time of Hindu renewal and celebration • Child marriage common (8 year old girls married to men in 20 s) • Women encouraged to remain in private sphere

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment • Even though Hinduism was brought back, religious tolerance of Buddhism continued • HUGE support of art, poetry, & architecture influenced by Hinduism/Buddhism

Gupta Characteristics/Accomplishment • Supported trade on Silk Road and Indian Ocean Trade Network • Increasing economic diversification challenges simplistic caste system • Lead to the creation of Jatis or sub-caste – Based on specific jobs

International Trade Routes during the Guptas