Transcript Mauryan Empire - World history

Classical
Mauryan
Empire
The Aryans and Mauryans
Do you recognize which modern nation
the Mauryan empire was located in?
Instructions:
Follow your teacher’s instructions about
completing the Maurya Graphic
Organizer using the information in this
presentation.
You will be identifying characteristics of
the empire and adding them to your
organizer in the appropriate category.
Review: Indus River Valley
Civilization
1750 BC – quality of building in cities
declined
Falls into decay
1500 BC – civilization nearing the end
Not exactly sure why
Indian civilization basically disappears
Aryan Invasions
1,600 BCE - 1,000
BCE
Waves of migration
over a long period of
time
Indo-Europeans
Semi-nomadic peoples
from north of Ancient
Mesopotamia
Pastoralists –
herded cattle,
sheep, and goats
Aryan Invasions
Incorporated many
parts of their
culture and shaped
a new Classical
India
Polytheistic
religion of Aryans
lead to
Hinduism
Polytheistic religion
Vedas – sacred literature of
Hinduism
Collection of prayers, spells,
and instructions for rituals
Passed down orally until
Sanskrit invented
Role in society
Brahmins = priests and
scholars
Caste System
Kshatriyas = rulers and
warriors
Vaishyas = peasants and
traders
Shudras = non-Aryans
laborers
Born into caste for life
Determined work,
marriage, with whom they
can eat
Aryan Kingdoms
Aryan tribes turn to chiefdoms
Expand Indian civilization to the
Ganges and Yamuna river valleys
By 1,000 B.C. - chiefdoms become
territorial kingdoms
Fought for land and power
Each king claimed power over the
others as a right from the gods
Background Info
Fragmented, weak
regional kingdoms
Invaders can easily
overtake them
Alexander the Great
brought most of north
India under his control
The Mauryan Empire
Around 323 B.C.E., a great empire
emerged in northern India. It was
called the Mauryan empire.
The rulers of this empire
conquered most of
northern and central India.
It was a vast empire.
Chandragupta Maurya (321
BCE- 298 BCE)
First Mauryan emperor
Inspired by Alexander the
Great’s invasion to unify Indians
Centralized government
Divided into provinces for tax
collection and easier law enforcement
Well organized bureaucracy
Ashoka’s
Empire
Ashoka Maurya
(268 BCE-232BCE)
Chandragupta’s grandson, 3rd Mauryan
emperor
Extended rule to most of India
Fierce and successful fighter
Converted to Buddhism
Spread throughout India and China – missionaries
Incorporated into government – rock and pillar
edicts
Still honored Hinduism
Empire fell apart after his death
Broke into fragmented regional kingdoms again
Ashoka’s Economic System
Enhanced trade throughout the empire
Created a single currency
Established roads to promote trade and
transportation
Trees and watering stations
Public works and waterways to enhance
farmer productivity
Had concern for his people’s health and
well-being
Ashoka’s Rock and Pillar Edicts
Written law code
Publicly displayed
Scattered across the empire
Each pillar about 40’-50’ high
Buddhist principles dominated
The Collapse of the
Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan empire began to weaken
after the death of King Asoka.
The last emperor was assassinated
around 185 B.C.
Five centuries of disorder followed.
Processing
 Create a gamer tag or username for each of
the following people:
 An Aryan invader
 A member of one of the castes (your choice)
 Chandragupta Mauyra
 Ashoka Maurya
 Make it clever, unique and school appropriate.
Make sure it applies to each person.
 Write these in the center box of your organizer
Example: for Sam Houston, commander at the Battle of
San Jacinto – Sanjacdude