Transcript Classical India

Classical India
The Mauryan and Gupta
Dynasties
Mauryan
Empire
324-185 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 BCE)
& Kautilya
Capital from Asoka’s Palace at
Sarnath
(265-238 BCE)
Ashokan Pillar & Stupa at
Kolhua, near Vaishali
The Story of India Link
Ashoka’s Edicts/Pillars
(Look for Cultural Diffusion)
• On the roads…trees have been planted for
the enjoyment of animals & men. I have
had ponds dug & shelters erected along
the roads. Everywhere I have had wells
dug.
• It is good to be obedient to one’s mother &
father, friends, & relatives. It is good not
only to spend little, but to own the
minimum of property.
Ashoka’s Edicts…
• My officers have been appointed for the
welfare & happiness of the…people. I
have given them…authority in judgment &
punishment. But it is desirable that there
should be uniformity in judicial procedure
& punishment.
• This world and the other are hard to gain
without great love of Righteousness, great
self-examination, great obedience, great
effort.
Great Stupa at Sanchi
Boulders with Rock Edict near
Shahbazqarhi, Pakistan
Click Here for a Virtual Tour of
the Ajanta Caves
Gupta Empire & Pax Gupta
320-540 CE
Chandra Gupta II
375-415 BCE
500 healing
plants identified
1000 diseases
classified
Printed
medicinal guides
Plastic
Surgery
Gupta
Achievements
Kalidasa
Literature
Medicine
Inoculations
C-sections
performed
Decimal
System
Gupta
India
Mathematics
Concept
of Zero
PI = 3.1416
Solar
Calendar
Astronomy
The earth
is round
Extensive Trade:
4c
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.
Aryabhatta: Your Favorite Math
Guru!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Quadratic Equations
Solstices
Equinoxes
Spherical Shapes and Rotation of Earth
Calculated Solar Year
Sine & Cosine
Algebra
Pi (3.1416)
Fa Hsien
“Illustrious Master of Law”
• Chinese Buddhist
Monk
• Translated Buddhist
Writings from Sanskrit
• A Record of
Buddhistic Kingdoms
• World Traveler