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India Pt. 2
The Aryans, Mauryans, and the Guptas
The Aryans
The Aryans
Aryans: An Indo-European people that migrates from Eurasia into India
● pass through the Khyber pass about 1500 bc
Encounter people who are “different” from them
● these people have darker skin, speak a different language, and follow a different religion
● Aryans are light skinned
● Aryans called non-Aryans dasas which means dark ( due to color of the skin)
● Dasas would later mean “slave”
● Differences will quickly create classes (divide society)
The Caste System
Initially there were 3 classes:
● Brahmins (priests-upper class)● Kshatriyas (warriors-middle class)● Vaisyas (farmers, craftspeople, laborers-lower class)
Non-Aryans eventually become a class: shudras
● did the jobs that Aryans did not want to do
Varna (skin color) became the basis of the caste system; classes were intially called varnas ---> becomes the caste system
Spread of the Aryans
Spread east to Ganges and south into the rest of India
Mahabharata: epic poem that told stories of how the Aryans spread throughout India. Also tells about the mixing of Aryans and non-Aryans (blending of cultures)
Major Indian Empires Mauryans
Guptas
Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire EmergesChandragupta Maurya was the leader of the Mauryan Empire
● will unite Northern India for the first time
Able to rule over a vast land because of his very well organized government
● Land divided up into 4 provinces, each ruled by a prince● Within those 4 provinces, land divided up into local districts with
officials
The Mauryan Empire Emerges
Asoka: one of India’s greatest leaders because of his promotion of Buddhism and ruled according to Buddhist teachings
Think-Pair-Share: Based on what you know about Buddhism, how do you think Buddhism influenced Asoka’s rule? (this will help you fill out your notes)
Asoka’s Achievements
Religious Tolerance
Built road systems, hospitals, planted trees to provide shade, wells and houses to rest in during travels
After his death however, Mauryan empire falls apart
Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire Emerges
Chandra Gupta (no relation): comes to power in 320 AD and founded the Gupta empire
● Brings Indian culture and Hinduism to a new peak
Indian society is patriarchal which means that the family was headed by the eldest male.
India prospers from trade and conquest
● They had access to the Silk Roads!!● Acted as middlemen to make profit
Gupta Achievements
Math: Created concept of zero, decimal system
Medicine: Book with 1000 diagnosed diseases. Performed surgery.
Astronomy: proved that the Earth was round
Literature:
● Khalidasa, a famous ancient playwright
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