Chapter 6 Section 3

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Chapter 6Section 3

• Indias First Civilizations

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Section Overview

• The Mauryan and Gupta dynasties built empires in
  India, and they contributed greatly to
  literature, mathematics, and science.

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The Mauryan Dynasty

• Chandragupta Maurya, an Indian prince, founded
  Indias first empire after Alexander the Great
  left India
• This empire was called the Mauryan dynasty.

• A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same
  family.
• Chandragupta controlled his dynasty by retaining
  a strong army and using spies

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Mauryan Empire
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The Mauryan Dynasty

• Many historians consider Asoka the Mauryan
  dynastys greatest king.
• After he was a strong military leader, Asoka
  turned away from violence.
• He made a vow to live a peaceful life and follow
  Buddhism.
• Asoka did many great things for his people.

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The Mauryan Empire

• For example, he built hospitals and new roads and
  sent teachers throughout India to teach Buddhism.
• The empire grew weak after Asokas death.
• The kings made poor decisions, and the Mauryan
  Empire fell.

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Indias First Empires

What happened as a result of Alexander the
Greats invasion of northern India?
Alexander the Greats army weakened the people of
India. After Alexander the Great and his men
left, the people could not resist Chandragupta.
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The Gupta Empire

• After 500 years of fighting, another Chandragupta
  took power and founded the Gupta dynasty.
• After Chandragupta died, his son, Samudragupta,
  took over and expanded the empire.
• The Guptas ruled their small kingdom successfully
  for about 200 years.
• They grew wealthy from trading salt, cloth, and
  iron with China and kingdoms in southeast Asia
  and the Mediterranean.

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The Gupta Empire p. 313
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The Gupta Empire

• Pilgrims were people who often used the trade
  routes to travel to a religious shrine or site.
• Visiting pilgrims helped make cities wealthy just
  as tourists make cities wealthy today.
• The Guptas were Hindus, and they made Hinduism
  the official religion
• The golden age of art and learning in India was
  during the Gupta empire.

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Indias First Empires

What advantage did the Gupta rulers have that the
Mauryan rulers did not?
The kingdom had gotten smaller before the Gupta
rulers took power. The smaller kingdom was easier
to rule.
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Indian Literature and Science

• The Vedas of India are hymns and prayers used in
  religious ceremonies.
• The Vedas were recorded in Sanskrit after the
  Aryan people came to India.
• The epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are two poems
  that are still famous in India today.
• Both epics tell about warriors and their brave
  deeds.

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Indian Literature and Science
Indian Literature and Science Mahabharata - longest poem in the written language tells of a war over control of India that occurred around 1100 B.C. - Best known section is the Bhagavad Gita Song of the Lord, in which the god Krishna preaches that it is noble to perform ones duty even when it is painful or difficult. Ramayana - A love story about King Rama and his queen Sita who were separated when his enemies banished him. He lives alone but eventually fights and defeats the demon Ravana, who kidnapped Sita, and they live happily ever after.
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Indian Literature and Science
Indian Literature and Science Kalidasa was a writer who lived during the Gupta dynasty. Kalidasas poem The Cloud Messenger is one of the most popular Sanskrit poems. Aryabhata was a mathematician who lived during the Gupta dynasty. He was one of the first scientists to use algebra.

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Indian Math and Science
Indian Math and Science Mathematicians in the Gupta empire developed the symbols for the numbers 1 to 9 that we use today. They also invented algorithms and the idea of zero. Indians also developed ideas in astronomy and medicine.

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Indias First Empires

What kinds of medical advances were made by Gupta
doctors?
Gupta doctors could set broken bones and perform
surgeries. They also developed medical tools.
One doctor even carried out an early form of
plastic surgery.
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Indias First Empires

Describe trade during the Gupta empire?
Indians traded salt, cloth, and iron with China,
Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean.
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Indias First Empires

What is the message of the Bhagavad Gita?
It taught people to do their duty even when it
was painful.
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Indias First Empires

Analyze How were Asokas Buddhist beliefs
reflected in his accomplishments as king?
His improvements were for the overall good. He
built hospitals, roads, and rest stops for
travelers sent missionaries throughout India and
Asia carved Buddhas principles on pillars
built stupas and practiced religious tolerance.
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