Transcript Mauryan
The Age of the Empires: Mauryan & Gupta 1 Aryan-dominated India • Small kingdoms dominate the subcontinent • No central power • Hinduism is the dominant religion Incursion of Alexander • Alexander the great invaded India through the Khyber pass in 326BC • Disrupts existing kingdoms • Alexander dies in 323BC, leaving a power vacuum The Mauryan Empire – 320 – 232 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya (340 – 301 B.C.) • Young son of peacock farmers with a strong sense of justice • Assassinated leaders of Greek prefects left by Alexander • Took control of Alexander’s territories and raised an army of 700,000 soldiers • Unified India under his rule (1st ever to do so) • Unified India politically, culturally, and economically • Brought wealth, poetry, and trade to the Empire • Totalitarian ruler – legislated all parts of life and employed secret police • Feared assassination slept in a different room each night. The end of Chandragupta Mauyra • As he aged, Chandragupta regretted the amount of death and destruction he had caused • Sought out a guru on the banks of the Ganges and converted to Jainism • Died of starvation due to fasting Asoka (Ashoka) the Great 270BC-232BC Grandson of Chandragupta Mauyra •Conquered all but the very southern tip of India •These wars killed hundreds of thousands, making Asoka sick of death. •He renounced war, became a Buddhist, and spread Buddhism around Asia •Considered to be one of the best rulers of all time 7 How does a Buddhist rule? Asoka: • Relaxed the harsh laws of his grandfather • Erected pillars so all people would know the law • Urged religious tolerance • Pardoned prisoners and forbade animal sacrifice 9 Ancient Indian Religious Systems Buddhism and Jainism Buddha • Siddhartha Gautama – prince in India • Raised in a palace • At age 20, took a walk outside • Saw people suffering, meditated on this, achieved enlightenment Buddha and Buddhism Four Noble Truths • A) The existence of impermanence. • B) The arising of suffering because of craving. • C) The cessation of suffering • D) The middle way, or the noble eightfold path. The middle way, or the noble eightfold path • • • • • • • • Noble Eightfold Path Right View. Right Thought. Right Speech. Right Action. Right Livelihood Right Effort. Right Mindfulness. Right Contemplation Buddha and Buddhism • Opposes the Caste system • Led by the Dalai Lama (the reincarnation of Buddha) • Reincarnation, karma, and Nirvana (enlightenment) Jainism • The path of salvation through austere ascetic life. • Reject of caste system • Believe in reincarnation, thus all living things have souls Jainism • Extreme non violence towards people and animals • Monks wear masks and carry brooms – why?