Ancient Civilizations:India

Maurya & Gupta Empires

Geography &

Environment

• On which continent is India located?

• Asia; India is a subcontinent of Asia

The Geography

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

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Chandragupta_Maurya_Empire.gif

Mauryan Empire

• Politically united North India for the first time ever

• Created a highly effective government; included tax collection & the enforcement of laws

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

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

• Laws carved on rock pillars were placed throughout the empire

• Stressed concern for other human beings

Asoka’s Rock Edicts

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

• 320 AD to 535 AD

• India’s “Golden Age,” or the flourishing of arts & sciences

Gupta Empire

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

• The Caste System:

• System of social hierarchy within India

• 5 different castes (social classes)

1) The Caste System

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

Sudras

Cast

e Sy

stem

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