Objectives

•Describe characteristicsof empires of Indiaduring the Classical period

•Sequence key eventsduring Mauryan and Guptan Empires

India’s political history during the classical period could be characterized as fragmented with intermittent empires. Around 600 BCE, the first empire united many small kingdoms. It was called the MauryanEmpire.

The classical empires were centered on the Ganges river.

Ganges River

The Mauryan Empire, led by Chandragupta Maurya,spanned more than 2,000 miles. Chandragupta Maurya built his empire by conquest.

He had an army of 600,000 and defeated Alexander the Great’s successor, Seleucus, near the Indus River valley in 303 BCE.

Under Chandragupta Maurya:

•His advisor, Kautilya wrote the Arthasastra, about how to keep a vast empire together

•Written in Sanskrit, one of the earliest written Indian languages, the book urged rulers to conquer neighboring kingdoms that are weak and maintain an army of spies.

In 301 BCE, Chandragupta’s grandson, Asoka assumed the throne. Under Asoka:

•Battled neighbors until battle of Kalinga, where he lost 100,000 soldiers.

•Asoka, deeply affected by the loss of life and suffering, he began to study Buddhism.

Asoka:

•Spread Buddhist teachings by constructing huge pillars inscribed with Buddhist teachings throughouthis empire. They were called Asoka’s Edicts.

•These pillars urged non-violence and acceptance of other religions

•Asoka improved roads, created public wells, built hospitals and veterinary clinics built rest stops throughout his kingdom.

Asoka:

Appointed missionaries who spread Buddhism throughout India, China and S.E. Asia

After Asoka died in 232 BCE, the Mauryan empire fell apart.

A period of disunity and regional kingdoms followed Asoka’s death and lasted for500 years. Then, in 320 CE, Chandra Gupta united India into its second empire,the Gupta Empire.

Which empire was larger, geographically? Mauryan or Guptan?

The Gupta empire brought about the flowering of Indian and Hindu culture and advancements in math and science.

Cultural achievements:

• Literature flourished: Kalidasa wrote Shakuntala, a classic love story

•Drama and dancing became important elements of Indian culture

Scientific Achievements:

•Indian astronomers proved that the earth was round by observing a lunar eclipse

•Advanced mathematics: Indian numerals are the numbers we use today but the Arabic civilizations would get the credit.

• the number “Zero” and the decimal system

Scientific achievements continued

•Mathemetician Aryabhata calculated the length of the solar year very accurately

•Continued advancements in medicine and surgery-compiled medical texts

Commercial Achievements

Indian Merchants were the middlemen in the emerging Silk Road trade. Traders also brought goods such as spices, diamonds, sapphires, gold, pearls, sandalwood, ebony andteakwood.

Traders also spread religion eastward. Hinduism spread only as far as Nepal, Sri Lanka and parts of Indonesia, while Buddhism later spread throughout China andSoutheast Asia.

1900 BCE

Mohenjo Daro AndHarappathrived

1500 BCE

The Vedas composed

500 BCE

Sanskrit was first written

563-483

SiddharthaGautamaoriginated Buddhism

AlexanderInvadesand departsIndus RiverValley

326 BCE 321 BCE

Mauryan Empireunites India-Ashoka rules from269-232

320 CE

Guptan Empire rulesIndia

Ancient and Classical India Timeline

Aryan invasions

500 years ofdisunityand regional rule

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