India’s First Empires

1. India’s First Empires 300 BC - 535 AD

2. Mauryan Empire • Chandragupta Maurya • Possibly born on the lower Ganges river. • Raised an army and killed the Nanda King • Claimed the throne and started the Mauryan Empire. • Unified Northern India • Defeated Seleucus I, one of Alexander the Great’s Generals. • By 303 BC the Mauryan Empire stretched more than 2,000 miles, politically uniting north India for the first time.

3. Chandragupta Maurya’s Army • To spread his empire, Maurya had a large army • 600,000 foot soldiers • 30,000 horsemen • 9,000 empires • To clothe feed and pay these troops, the government levied high taxes • Farmers had to pay up to one-half the value of their crops to the king.

4. Chandragupta Maurya • Relied on advisors • Kautilya– member of the priestly caste • Wrote a rulers handbook – Arthasastra • Tough minded policies • Spying on people • Employing political assassinations • Divided the empire into 4 provinces • Headed by a royal prince • Divided into local districts • Enforced laws and collected taxes

5. Life in Mauryan Empire • City • Grand • Gold-Covered Pillars • Fountain • Imposing thrones • Beautiful parks and large markets • Country • Farmers exempted from military service • Work in their fields without fear.

6. Height of the Mauryan Empire • Chandragupta Mauryan’s grandson lead the empire into its height. • Asoka • Took throne in 269 BC and expanded the empire • During the conquest of Kalinga 100,000 soldiers were slain and more civilians died. • Asoka felt sorrow over the slaughter and studied Buddhism • Decided to rule with Buddhist teachings from then on.

7. Asoka’s Policies • Erected huge pillars inscribed with his new policies • Edicts guaranteed that Asoka would treat his subjects fairly and Humanely. • Preached non-violence • Preached religious toleration • Built extensive roads to visit all the aspects of the kingdom • Made travel in the empire easier • Concerned for his subjects and their well being. • Died in 232 BC

8. Period of Turmoil • Death created a Power Vacuum. • Regional kings challenged the imperial government • Regions separated • Central India fell under the Andhra Dynasty • Dominated trade in India and surrounding empires • Northern India absorbed a population increase from surrounding areas. • Invaders disrupted society in the north and created a mixed culture in northern India • Southern India formed its own kingdom • People spoke the Tamil Language.

9. The Gupta Empire • The 3 empires fought for 500 years until the rise of Chandra Gupta • Married the daughter of an influential family • Took the title of Great King of Kings • Crated the 2nd empire uniting India • Spread Indian culture and increased Hindu culture. • Samudra Gupta became king in 335 AD • Loved art and war • Expanded the empire during his 40 year reign

10. Daily Life in India • Gupta empire has the first information of life in early India • Most Indians lived in small villages • Farmers • Merchants and craftsman lived near trade centers • Lived above their street level shops • Patriarchal • Headed by eldest male • All the family worked to raise the crops • Irrigation was necessary but there was a tax on water (days worth of labor) • Most the crop was owed to the king. • Southern India was Matriarchal.

11. Height of the Guptas • Gupta empire was experiencing power and growth at a fast rate • Chandra Gupta II • Defeated the Shakas • Allowed the kingdom to trade with Mediterranean world • Made alliance with surrounding areas. • Also experienced great cultural improvements

12. End of the Guptas • Chandra Gupta II died • Invaders from the north moved into northern India • Hunas • Related to the Huns. • Broke into small kingdoms over the next 100 years • Over run by the Hunas • Ended in 535 AD