Indian Empires

1
Indian Empires
2
Quick Review

• What continent is India located on?
• What is a subcontinent?
• What is a monsoon?
• What are some of the Harrapans Achievements?
• How was the Aryan culture different from
  Harrapan?
• What are the 4 Varnas/Castes?
• What were some of the Caste rules?
• What is the largest religion in India today?
• How do Hindus believe karma effects
  reincarnation?
• Who was Siddhartha Guatama?
• What is Nirvana?
• Describe what the Jains believe.

3
Mauryan Empire

• Chandragupta (kuhn-druh-goop-tuh) Maurya
• Military leader seized control of Northern India
  in 320s
• Had a complex government with a network of spies
  and an army of over 600,000 soldiers
• 301 wanted to become a Jainist monk, so passed
  throne over to his son

4
Asoka

• Grandson of Chandragupta
• Strongest of all Mauryan leaders
• Expanded Mauryan empire over most of India and
  made empire more powerful and prosperous
• Launched many brutal wars against other people

5
Asoka continued

• Gave up violence and converted to Buddhism
• Made peoples lives better by building wells,
  roads, shade trees for travelers, and rest houses
  throughout India
• One of the most successful person in history to
  spread Buddhism by sending missionaries to lands
  all over Asia
• Died in 233 BC and empire began to fall apart

6
Gupta Rulers

• Eventually became powerful in 320 BC
• Promoted Hinduism
• India became prosperous and united under the rule
  of Chandragupta I (not related to Maurya)
• Hinduism became a major religion, although
  Buddhism and Jainism were supported by Gupta.
• Created fine works of art and literature
• Believed strongly in the caste system, so womens
  roles were limited to the home