India's First Empires
The Mauryan Empire Is Established
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After Alexander the Great put the Indus Valley under Macedonia control in 326 B.C. and left soon after, the Indian military leader Chandragupta Maurya took control.
First, Chandragupta formed an army and killed the King of Magadha, a powerful kingdom. He seized the throne around 321 B.C. and began traveling northwest and taking control of all the land from Magadha to the Indus. Then, he defeated Seleucus I, a general who inherited a portion of Alexander's land. Chandragupta needed an enormous army of soldiers, horses, and elephants to win and he raised taxes to support them. He and his army finally succeeded in merging north India under his vast empire that he named the Mauryan Empire.
First, Chandragupta formed an army and killed the King of Magadha, a powerful kingdom. He seized the throne around 321 B.C. and began traveling northwest and taking control of all the land from Magadha to the Indus. Then, he defeated Seleucus I, a general who inherited a portion of Alexander's land. Chandragupta needed an enormous army of soldiers, horses, and elephants to win and he raised taxes to support them. He and his army finally succeeded in merging north India under his vast empire that he named the Mauryan Empire.
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Running the Empire
Kautilya, an adviser, wrote Arthasastra, a book that suggested policies that could help an empire prosper. Chandragupta executed some of these ideas. For example, there were political assassinations and spies that made sure that nothing was suspicious. Chandragupta also divided the empire into four provinces that four princes looked over. The provinces were further split into local districts where officials collected taxes and enforced the law. Such ruling turned the Mauryan Empire into a highly bureaucratic government.
Kautilya, an adviser, wrote Arthasastra, a book that suggested policies that could help an empire prosper. Chandragupta executed some of these ideas. For example, there were political assassinations and spies that made sure that nothing was suspicious. Chandragupta also divided the empire into four provinces that four princes looked over. The provinces were further split into local districts where officials collected taxes and enforced the law. Such ruling turned the Mauryan Empire into a highly bureaucratic government.
Life in the City and the Country
Chandragupta's palace had gold-covered pillars, fountains, and grand thrones and the capital city had magnificent parks and busy markets. There were farmers in the countryside and the military service offered protection for the empire. Asoka, Chandragupta's grandson, took control in 369 B.C. (after Chandragupta's son reign) and led the empire to be a further prosperous place.
Chandragupta's palace had gold-covered pillars, fountains, and grand thrones and the capital city had magnificent parks and busy markets. There were farmers in the countryside and the military service offered protection for the empire. Asoka, Chandragupta's grandson, took control in 369 B.C. (after Chandragupta's son reign) and led the empire to be a further prosperous place.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/8/8/24885642/1796303.jpg?184)
Asoka Promotes Buddhism
At the beginning of his rule, Asoka continued to enlarge the empire by using army forces. However, many died as a result of the battle at Kalinga (which Asoka's army won) and Asoka felt guilty and sad. He started following Buddhism after this and most of his policies became based upon Buddha's teaching of "peace to all beings". His policies were inscribed on pillars he built all over his kingdom.
At the beginning of his rule, Asoka continued to enlarge the empire by using army forces. However, many died as a result of the battle at Kalinga (which Asoka's army won) and Asoka felt guilty and sad. He started following Buddhism after this and most of his policies became based upon Buddha's teaching of "peace to all beings". His policies were inscribed on pillars he built all over his kingdom.
- Asoka promised to treat others fairly and humanely
- Preached nonviolence
- Urged religious tolerance, the acceptance of other religions
- Improved communication and travel by building extensive roads with wells and houses built every 9 miles.
- Asoka was concerned for his subjects' well being
A Period of Turmoil
Northern India
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Central India
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Southern India
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The Gupta Empire Is Established
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500 years later, a man named Chandra Gupta (who has no connection with Chandragupta Maurya) gained control of the Kingdom Magadha and all the of the land north of it. He gained control by marrying a daughter of a famous rich family. He began he Gupta Empire. In 335 B.C., his son Samudra a.k.a Chandra Gupta I became the king. He further enlarged the empire using army forces.
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Samudra's son, Chandra Gupta II, became the next King. He also expanded the Kingdom by using military forces but he used negotiation diplomats and marriage alliances too. He also opened trade with the Mediterranean world which brought the empire many benefits goods.
Daily Life in India
4. Majority were farmers
6. Every month, people worked to together the whole day to manage their wells, irrigation ditches, reservoirs, and dams.
7. Southern India followed a different system: some groups were matriarchal, headed by the mother. Females also inherited properties.
The Fall
After Chandra Gupta II died, fierce foreigners called Hunans threatened northern India. The Gupta Empire split into smaller kingdoms and then were overrun by the Hunans and Central Asian nomads in a period of about 100 years. The Gupta Era fell around 535 A.D.
- Most lived in small villages
- Most families were patriarchal, headed by the eldest male
- Craftspeople and merchants were located in specific areas in the towns
4. Majority were farmers
- they irrigated their crops
- owed a part of their earnings to their King
6. Every month, people worked to together the whole day to manage their wells, irrigation ditches, reservoirs, and dams.
7. Southern India followed a different system: some groups were matriarchal, headed by the mother. Females also inherited properties.
The Fall
After Chandra Gupta II died, fierce foreigners called Hunans threatened northern India. The Gupta Empire split into smaller kingdoms and then were overrun by the Hunans and Central Asian nomads in a period of about 100 years. The Gupta Era fell around 535 A.D.
Potpourri
Click on the buttons below to view the different coins used during the Gupta Era