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Powerful Empires of IndiaPowerful Empires of India

Focus Question Focus Question In what ways did Maurya and In what ways did Maurya and

Gupta rulers achieve peace and Gupta rulers achieve peace and order for ancient India?order for ancient India?

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Chandragupta Forges an Empire Chandragupta Forges an Empire

A man named A man named Chandragupta first gained Chandragupta first gained power in the Ganges power in the Ganges valley. He then valley. He then conquered northern India. conquered northern India. His son and grandson His son and grandson later pushed south, later pushed south, adding much of the adding much of the Deccan to their empire. Deccan to their empire. From 321 B.C. to 185 From 321 B.C. to 185 B.C., the Maurya dynasty B.C., the Maurya dynasty ruled over a vast, united ruled over a vast, united empire.empire.

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Chandragupta maintained order through a well-organized Chandragupta maintained order through a well-organized bureaucracy. Royal officials supervised the building of roads bureaucracy. Royal officials supervised the building of roads and harbors to benefit trade. Other officials collected taxes and and harbors to benefit trade. Other officials collected taxes and managed state-owned factories and shipyards. People sought managed state-owned factories and shipyards. People sought justice in royal courts. justice in royal courts.

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Chandragupta’s rule was effective but Chandragupta’s rule was effective but harsh. A brutal secret police force harsh. A brutal secret police force reported on corruption, crime, and reported on corruption, crime, and dissentdissent—that is, ideas that opposed —that is, ideas that opposed those of the government. Fearful of his those of the government. Fearful of his many enemies, Chandragupta had many enemies, Chandragupta had specially trained women warriors guard specially trained women warriors guard his palace. his palace.

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Asoka Rules by Moral Example Asoka Rules by Moral Example

The most honored Maurya The most honored Maurya emperor was Chandragupta’s emperor was Chandragupta’s grandson, grandson, AsokaAsoka (uh (uh sohsoh kuh). A few years after kuh). A few years after becoming emperor in 268 becoming emperor in 268 B.C., Asoka fought a long, B.C., Asoka fought a long, bloody war to conquer the bloody war to conquer the Deccan region of Kalinga. Deccan region of Kalinga. Then, horrified at the slaughterThen, horrified at the slaughter—more than 100,000 people —more than 100,000 people are said to have died—Asoka are said to have died—Asoka turned his back on further turned his back on further conquests. He converted to conquests. He converted to Buddhism, rejected violence, Buddhism, rejected violence, and resolved to rule by moral and resolved to rule by moral example.example.

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True to the Buddhist principle True to the Buddhist principle of respect for all life, Asoka of respect for all life, Asoka stopped eating most meats stopped eating most meats and limited Hindu animal and limited Hindu animal sacrifices. He sent sacrifices. He sent missionariesmissionaries, or people sent , or people sent on a religious mission, to on a religious mission, to spread Buddhism across India spread Buddhism across India and to Sri Lanka. By doing so, and to Sri Lanka. By doing so, he paved the way for the he paved the way for the spread of Buddhism spread of Buddhism throughout Asia. Although throughout Asia. Although Asoka promoted Buddhism, he Asoka promoted Buddhism, he also preached tolerance for also preached tolerance for other religions.other religions.

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Asoka had stone pillars set up across India, offering moral advice and Asoka had stone pillars set up across India, offering moral advice and promising a just government. Asoka’s rule brought peace and prosperity promising a just government. Asoka’s rule brought peace and prosperity and helped unite the diverse peoples within his empire. He built hospitals and helped unite the diverse peoples within his empire. He built hospitals and Buddhist shrines. To aid transportation, he built roads and rest houses and Buddhist shrines. To aid transportation, he built roads and rest houses for travelers for travelers

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Watch Watch Asoka’s Elephant Warriors Asoka’s Elephant Warriors on on Discovery Learning SchoolDiscovery Learning School

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Division and Disunity Set In Division and Disunity Set In

After Asoka’s death, Maurya power declined. By 185 B.C., After Asoka’s death, Maurya power declined. By 185 B.C., the unity of the Maurya empire was shattered as rival the unity of the Maurya empire was shattered as rival princes again battled for power across the Gangetic Plain.princes again battled for power across the Gangetic Plain.

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In fact, during its long In fact, during its long history, India has history, India has seldom remained seldom remained united for long. In united for long. In ancient times, as ancient times, as today, the today, the subcontinent was subcontinent was home to many home to many peoples. Although the peoples. Although the Aryan north shared a Aryan north shared a common civilization, common civilization, fierce local rivalries fierce local rivalries kept it divided. kept it divided. Meanwhile, distance Meanwhile, distance and cultural and cultural differences separated differences separated the peoples of the the peoples of the north and the peoples north and the peoples of the Deccan in the of the Deccan in the south south

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Adding to the turmoil, Adding to the turmoil, foreigners frequently foreigners frequently pushed through pushed through mountain passes into mountain passes into northern India. The northern India. The divided northern divided northern kingdoms often kingdoms often proved incapable of proved incapable of resisting these resisting these conquerors. conquerors.

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Kingdoms Arise Across the Deccan Kingdoms Arise Across the Deccan Like the Gangetic Plain, Like the Gangetic Plain, the Deccan was divided the Deccan was divided into many kingdoms into many kingdoms after the decline of after the decline of Maurya power. Each Maurya power. Each kingdom had its own kingdom had its own capital with magnificent capital with magnificent temples and bustling temples and bustling workshops. The peoples workshops. The peoples of the Deccan were of the Deccan were Dravidians with very Dravidians with very different languages and different languages and traditions from the traditions from the peoples of the Aryan peoples of the Aryan northnorth

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Over the centuries, Hindu and Over the centuries, Hindu and Buddhist traditions and Sanskrit Buddhist traditions and Sanskrit writings drifted south and blended writings drifted south and blended with local cultures. Deccan rulers with local cultures. Deccan rulers generally tolerated all religions as generally tolerated all religions as well as the many foreigners who well as the many foreigners who settled in their busy ports. settled in their busy ports.

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In the Tamil kingdoms, In the Tamil kingdoms, which occupied much of which occupied much of the southernmost part of the southernmost part of India, trade was India, trade was important. Tamil rulers important. Tamil rulers improved harbors to improved harbors to support overseas trade. support overseas trade. Tamil merchants sent Tamil merchants sent spices, fine textiles, and spices, fine textiles, and other luxuries westward other luxuries westward to eager buyers in the to eager buyers in the Roman empire. And as Roman empire. And as the Roman empire the Roman empire declined, Tamil trade with declined, Tamil trade with China increased China increased

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How do you think How do you think trade helped link the trade helped link the separate kingdoms separate kingdoms of the Deccan?of the Deccan?

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The Guptas Bring About a Golden AgeThe Guptas Bring About a Golden Age

Although many kingdoms Although many kingdoms flourished in the Deccan, the flourished in the Deccan, the most powerful Indian states most powerful Indian states rose to its north. About 500 rose to its north. About 500 years after the Mauryas, the years after the Mauryas, the Gupta dynasty again united Gupta dynasty again united much of India. Gupta emperors much of India. Gupta emperors organized a strong central organized a strong central government that promoted government that promoted peace and prosperity. Under peace and prosperity. Under the Guptas, who ruled from the Guptas, who ruled from A.D. 320 to about 540, India A.D. 320 to about 540, India enjoyed a enjoyed a golden agegolden age, or , or period of great cultural period of great cultural achievement achievement

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Peace and Peace and Prosperity Prosperity Abound Abound

Gupta rule was Gupta rule was probably looser than probably looser than that of the Mauryas. that of the Mauryas. Much power was left Much power was left in the hands of in the hands of individual villages and individual villages and city governments city governments elected by merchants elected by merchants and artisans. and artisans.

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Trade and farming Trade and farming flourished across the flourished across the Gupta empire. Gupta empire. Farmers harvested Farmers harvested crops of wheat, rice, crops of wheat, rice, and sugar cane. In and sugar cane. In cities, artisans cities, artisans produced cotton produced cotton cloth, pottery, and cloth, pottery, and metalware for local metalware for local markets and for markets and for export to East Africa, export to East Africa, the Middle East, and the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asia. The prosperity of Gupta prosperity of Gupta India contributed to a India contributed to a flowering in the arts flowering in the arts and learning.and learning.

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Indians Make Advances in Learning Indians Make Advances in Learning

Under Gupta rule, students were educated in religious schools. However, in Hindu and Buddhist Under Gupta rule, students were educated in religious schools. However, in Hindu and Buddhist centers, learning was not limited to religion and philosophy. The large Buddhist monastery-centers, learning was not limited to religion and philosophy. The large Buddhist monastery-university at Nalanda, which attracted students from many parts of Asia, taught mathematics, university at Nalanda, which attracted students from many parts of Asia, taught mathematics, medicine, physics, languages, literature, and other subjects. medicine, physics, languages, literature, and other subjects.

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Indian advances in mathematics had a wide impact on the rest of the world. Gupta Indian advances in mathematics had a wide impact on the rest of the world. Gupta mathematicians devised the system of writing numbers that we use today. (However, these mathematicians devised the system of writing numbers that we use today. (However, these numerals are now called “Arabic” numerals because Arabs carried them from India to the numerals are now called “Arabic” numerals because Arabs carried them from India to the Middle East and Europe.) Indian mathematicians also originated the concept of zero and Middle East and Europe.) Indian mathematicians also originated the concept of zero and developed the developed the decimal systemdecimal system of numbers based on ten digits, which we still use today. of numbers based on ten digits, which we still use today.

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By Gupta times, Indian By Gupta times, Indian physicians were using physicians were using herbs and other remedies herbs and other remedies to treat illness. Surgeons to treat illness. Surgeons were skilled in setting were skilled in setting bones and in simple bones and in simple surgery to repair injuries. surgery to repair injuries. It seems that doctors also It seems that doctors also began vaccinating people began vaccinating people against smallpox about against smallpox about 1,000 years before this 1,000 years before this practice was used in practice was used in Europe.Europe.

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Expanding India’s Literature Expanding India’s Literature

During Gupta times, During Gupta times, many fine writers added many fine writers added to the rich heritage of to the rich heritage of Indian literature. They Indian literature. They collected and recorded collected and recorded fables and folk tales in fables and folk tales in the Sanskrit language. In the Sanskrit language. In time, Indian fables were time, Indian fables were carried west to Persia, carried west to Persia, Egypt, and Greece.Egypt, and Greece.

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The greatest Gupta poet The greatest Gupta poet and playwright was and playwright was Kalidasa. His most Kalidasa. His most famous play, famous play, ShakuntalaShakuntala (shahk oon (shahk oon tahtah luh), tells luh), tells the story of a king who the story of a king who marries the lovely orphan marries the lovely orphan Shakuntala. Under an evil Shakuntala. Under an evil spell, the king forgets his spell, the king forgets his bride. After many plot bride. After many plot twists, he finally recovers twists, he finally recovers his memory and is his memory and is reunited with her. reunited with her.

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The Gupta Empire Declines The Gupta Empire Declines Eventually, Gupta India declined under the pressure of weak rulers, Eventually, Gupta India declined under the pressure of weak rulers, civil war, and foreign invaders. From central Asia came the White civil war, and foreign invaders. From central Asia came the White Huns, a nomadic people who overran the weakened Gupta empire, Huns, a nomadic people who overran the weakened Gupta empire, destroying its cities and trade. Once again, India split into many destroying its cities and trade. Once again, India split into many kingdoms. It would see no other great empire like those of the kingdoms. It would see no other great empire like those of the Mauryas or Guptas for almost 1,000 years Mauryas or Guptas for almost 1,000 years

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How did religion How did religion influence learning influence learning and the arts in and the arts in Gupta India?Gupta India?

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Family and Village Life Shape Family and Village Life Shape Indian Society Indian Society

Most Indians knew nothing of Most Indians knew nothing of the dazzling courts of the the dazzling courts of the Mauryas or Guptas. The vast Mauryas or Guptas. The vast majority were peasants who majority were peasants who lived in the villages that dotted lived in the villages that dotted the Indian landscape. In Indian the Indian landscape. In Indian society, everyday life revolved society, everyday life revolved around the rules and duties around the rules and duties associated with caste, family, associated with caste, family, and village. and village.

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Joint Family Structure Joint Family Structure

The ideal family was a The ideal family was a joint familyjoint family, in which , in which parents, children, and parents, children, and their offspring shared a their offspring shared a common dwelling. common dwelling. Indian families were Indian families were patriarchal—the father patriarchal—the father or oldest male in a or oldest male in a family headed the family headed the household. Adult sons household. Adult sons continued to live with continued to live with their parents even after their parents even after they married and had they married and had children. (A daughter children. (A daughter would go to live with her would go to live with her husband and his husband and his family.) family.)

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Often only the Often only the wealthy could afford wealthy could afford such large such large households. Still, households. Still, even when they did even when they did not share the same not share the same house, close ties house, close ties linked brothers, linked brothers, uncles, cousins, and uncles, cousins, and nephews nephews

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A father was thought to A father was thought to have wisdom and have wisdom and experience, and he experience, and he enjoyed great authority. enjoyed great authority. Even so, his power was Even so, his power was limited by sacred laws limited by sacred laws and tradition. Usually, he and tradition. Usually, he made decisions after made decisions after consulting his wife and consulting his wife and other family members. other family members. Property belonged to the Property belonged to the whole family. whole family.

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The Family The Family Performs Performs

Certain Duties Certain Duties The family performed the The family performed the essential function of training essential function of training children in the traditions and children in the traditions and duties of their castes. Thus duties of their castes. Thus family interests came before family interests came before individual wishes. Children individual wishes. Children worked with older relatives in worked with older relatives in the fields or at a family trade. the fields or at a family trade. While still young, a daughter While still young, a daughter learned that as a wife she learned that as a wife she would be expected to serve would be expected to serve and obey her husband and his and obey her husband and his family family

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A son learned the A son learned the rituals to honor the rituals to honor the family’s ancestors. family’s ancestors. Such rites linked the Such rites linked the living and the dead, living and the dead, deepening family deepening family bonds across the bonds across the generations. generations.

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For parents, an important For parents, an important duty was arranging good duty was arranging good marriages for their marriages for their children, based on caste children, based on caste and family interests. and family interests. Marriage customs varied. Marriage customs varied. In northern India, for In northern India, for example, a bride’s family example, a bride’s family commonly provided a commonly provided a dowrydowry, or payment to the , or payment to the bridegroom, and financed bridegroom, and financed the costly wedding the costly wedding festivities. After marriage, festivities. After marriage, the daughter left her the daughter left her home and became part of home and became part of her husband’s family. her husband’s family.

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Role of Women Changes Over TimeRole of Women Changes Over Time

In early Aryan society, In early Aryan society, women seem to have women seem to have enjoyed a higher enjoyed a higher statusstatus than in later times. Aryan than in later times. Aryan women even composed a women even composed a few Vedic hymns. few Vedic hymns. However, attitudes and However, attitudes and customs affecting women customs affecting women varied across India and varied across India and changed over time changed over time

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By late Gupta times, upper-class women were increasingly restricted to By late Gupta times, upper-class women were increasingly restricted to the home. When they went outside the home, they were supposed to the home. When they went outside the home, they were supposed to cover themselves from head to foot. Lower-class women, however, cover themselves from head to foot. Lower-class women, however, labored in the fields or worked at spinning and weaving. labored in the fields or worked at spinning and weaving.

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Women were thought to Women were thought to have shakti, a creative have shakti, a creative energy that men lacked. energy that men lacked. In marriage, a woman’s In marriage, a woman’s shakti helped to make the shakti helped to make the husband complete. Still, husband complete. Still, shakti might also be a shakti might also be a destructive force. A destructive force. A husband’s duty was to husband’s duty was to channel his wife’s energy channel his wife’s energy in the proper direction. in the proper direction. Women had few rights Women had few rights within the family and within the family and society. Their primary society. Their primary duties were to marry and duties were to marry and raise children.raise children.

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For a woman, rebirth into a For a woman, rebirth into a higher existence was gained higher existence was gained through devotion to her through devotion to her husband. Often, a widow was husband. Often, a widow was expected to join her dead expected to join her dead husband on his funeral fire. In husband on his funeral fire. In this way, a widow became a this way, a widow became a sati, or “virtuous woman.” sati, or “virtuous woman.” Some widows accepted this Some widows accepted this painful death as a noble duty painful death as a noble duty that wiped out their own and that wiped out their own and their husbands’ sins. Other their husbands’ sins. Other women bitterly resisted the women bitterly resisted the custom.custom.

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Typical Village Structure Typical Village Structure Each village included people of different castes who performed the Each village included people of different castes who performed the necessary tasks of daily life. It ran its own affairs based on caste rules and necessary tasks of daily life. It ran its own affairs based on caste rules and traditions and faced little outside interference as long as it paid its share of traditions and faced little outside interference as long as it paid its share of taxes. A village headman and council made decisions. The council included taxes. A village headman and council made decisions. The council included the most respected people of the village. In early times, women served on the most respected people of the village. In early times, women served on the council the council

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As Hindu law began to As Hindu law began to place greater place greater restrictions on women, restrictions on women, they were later they were later excluded. The headman excluded. The headman and council organized and council organized villagers to cooperate on villagers to cooperate on vital local projects such vital local projects such as building irrigation as building irrigation systems and larger systems and larger regional projects like regional projects like building roads and building roads and temples. temples.

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Agriculture and Trade Shape Life Agriculture and Trade Shape Life

In most of India, farming depended on the rains brought by the summer In most of India, farming depended on the rains brought by the summer monsoons. Too much or too little rain meant famine. Landlords owned much monsoons. Too much or too little rain meant famine. Landlords owned much of the land. Farmers who worked the land had to give the owner part of the of the land. Farmers who worked the land had to give the owner part of the harvest. Often, what remained was hardly enough to feed the farmers and harvest. Often, what remained was hardly enough to feed the farmers and their families their families

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Describe the Describe the structure of a typical structure of a typical Indian family.Indian family.