Transcript Maurya and Gupta Empires - Windsor Central School District

Bell Ringer!
For each of the five belief systems,
write down TWO things they believe.
I do not want moral codes or holy
books…I want what those things say!
Bell Ringer!
Judaism
Islam
Christianity
Bell Ringer!
Buddhism
Hinduism
Agenda
1. Bell Ringer (nice job!)
2. Notes – India
3. Practice
Meanwhile, in India…
MAURYA AND GUPTA EMPIRES
Let’s think back for a second…
• Cities
• Mohenjo-daro, Harappa
• Government
• Had it, evidenced by urban planning
• Language/Writing System
• Had it, but we cannot read it
• Religion
• Polytheistic
• Social Hierarchy
• Ruling class, soldiers, peasants
• Technology
• Sewer systems
• Job Specialization
• Rulers, priests, soldiers, peasants, farmers, craftsmen
Different Civilizations
 India existed as a region of city states
 These different civilizations did not always work
together or get along
The Maurya Empire
 Chandragupta was the
first Mauryan emperor
 He unified the city states
 Well Organized
 Bureaucracy – System of
managing government
through departments run
by appointed officials
Maurya under Asoka
 Chandragupta’s grandson Asoka took the throne
 Asoka became Buddhist
 He sent Buddhist missionaries to spread Buddhism
 Across India, West Asia, Southeast Asia, Greece
 However, he was tolerant of other beliefs
 His rule brought peace and prosperity, and the
empire declined after his death
Pillars of Asoka
 Set up across the Mauryan
Empire
 Announced laws,
promised a good
government, and
encouraged a Buddhist way
of life
 Talked about right behavior,
kindness, respect for
animals, etc.
Accomplishments of Maurya
 United India for the first time
 Peace and prosperity
 Trade flourished
 Pataliputra (the capital)
 Large, rich city that had schools, a library, and
encouraged advanced learning
 Spread Buddhism via missionary activity
Fall of the Maurya
 After Asoka died, rulers after him were weak
 They were unable to control the vast empire
 The provinces began to rule themselves
independently
Gupta Empire
 The next family to
reunite India
The Gupta Golden Age
 Golden Age: A time of wealth and learning
 Math: concept of zero and decimal system
 Medicine: vaccination for smallpox
 Stupas: large dome-shaped shrines for Buddhist
worship
Gupta Government
 Pataliputra still the capital
 Strong central government
 Local Government
 a village headman and council made decisions for the
village
Hinduism and Gupta Society
 Used caste system to control all aspects of village life
 Joint families: parents, children, grandparents, uncles,
cousins, EVERYONE is sharing a home
 Patriarchal: oldest male runs the household
 Arranged Marriages: parents pick your husband/wife
and you could only marry within the caste
Fall of the Gupta
 Similar story to the Maurya Empire
 Weak rulers
 Foreign invasions
Homework!
Page 29 in your Orange Packet!