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Ashoka Mauryan & the era of imperial Buddhist ruleMauryan Dynasty 321-185

Aryan people from Central Asia moved into the Indus River Valley and into IndiaAryansThey could be responsible for Mauryan Dynasty

Violent or peaceful integration into region?

It is unclear to archeologists/historians 2Ashoka and the Mauryan EmpireAshoka MauryaChandragupta MauryaRead the article on Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire in classworks and answer the following:

What were Chandraguptas accomplishments?

What was Ashokas early ambition as king?

Why did Ashoka convert to Buddhism?

Why is Ashoka considered an important patron Buddhist ruler?

Chandragupta- He proclaimed theMauryan Empire, thefirstIndian empire- He united most of India by conquering all others with a vast army- The Indian Empire was divided into four zones, each having a prince. Each of the four zones was made up of many local regions headed by officials who collected taxes and enforced law.-Chandraguptas son ruled the empire for only 32 years before Asoka brought the Empire to its greatest heights.

AshokaBuddhism in India originated when Chandraguptas grandson,Asokabecame king of the Mauryan Empire in 269 BCE.- He studied Buddhism and decided to rule by Buddhas teaching of peace to all- Asokas rules promised his subjects would be treated fairly and humanely- He built extensive roads and improved communication in India to uphold the well-being of the Indian people- When Asoka died (in 232 BCE), his policies of nonviolence and toleration no longer controlled India.

http://globalhistorycullen.wikispaces.com/Everything+India3In Documentary FormAshokaAndrew Marr2:50 8:50

http://vimeo.com/69783378What made Ashokas Rule unique?

Give examples of how he spread Buddhism.

http://vimeo.com/697833784A brief intro into Buddhism

Eight Fold PathA behavioral guideMiddle Way- one should live his/her life in moderation. It is like a Buddhist practice of non-extremismNirvana- the release from selfishness and pain to end reincarnation

Four Noble Truths:1) Life is painful.2) Pain is caused by desires.3) To end pain, you must end desire.4) To end desire, follow the eightfold path.

Discovered when Buddha sat under the Gobi Tree and reached enlightenmentWhy would many merchants, women, and the poor support Ashoka?Why would the Brahmin try to undermine Ashoka?

Caste SystemCasteSystem- rigid social stratification of Hinduism. Social mobility only occurs between livesHindus are free to choose the gods they worship, if any at all and the path they want to take to achieve moksha. There are three paths:1) the path ofright thinking2) the path ofright action3) the path ofreligious devotionHinduism was developed slowly, and cannot be traced back to a specific founder

(Aryans are thought to have started the religion).Moksha- freedom from reincarnationhttp://globalhistorycullen.wikispaces.com/Everything+India6Qin Dynasty - Shihuangdi (Shi hwang dee)Unified China 221(in only 10 years!)

Explain how this was something not something new or blue but something old.

Why was Shihuangdi able to quickly unify China?

He proudly names himself the FIRST EMPEROR

QUICK! Compare to RomeHow did Han rule differ from rule under the Qin?Why were Roman and Chinese empires able to enjoy long periods of relative stability?Use pages 136 -1388Emperor Ashoka (2:51)Mason Jennings1998-05-22 - The Cave, track 6171999.17