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India Unifies. World History - Libertyville HS. Mauryan Empire (320-230 BC). Native rulers of northern India were disorganized, petty and competing for dominance In reaction to invasion by Alexander the Great, local leaders banned together to resist Greeks - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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India Unifies
World History - Libertyville HS
Mauryan Empire (320-230 BC)• Native rulers of northern
India were disorganized, petty and competing for dominance
• In reaction to invasion by Alexander the Great, local leaders banned together to resist Greeks
• Began consolidation into a centralized state
Mauryan Empire• Over next 90 years,
the Mauryan family emerged as dominant– Based in Ganges river
valley– Conquered most of
subcontinent – Recovered territory
from Seleucids in the West
Mauryan Kings• Chandragupta (322-298
BC)– Threw out Seleucids– Recognized as Indian ruler
by Egypt, Syria• Ashoka the Great (278-
232 BC)– Grandson of Chandragupta– Completed conquest of
subcontinent, NW into Asia
Mauryan Kings• Ashoka
– Converted to Buddhism after a particularly brutal war
– Conversion encouraged spread of Buddhism• Cultural diffusion (trade)• Syria, Macedonia• Didn’t “stick” in India
– Ashoka ordered thousands of inscripted pillars throughout India• Sayings, stories of Buddha
written on them
Mauryan Culture• Religious tolerance• Respect for human
dignity• Government
– Autocracy at national level– Democracy at village
(local) level• Caste divisions were
well established– Idea was to promote unity
within kingdom
Mauryan Culture• Complex central
government– Collected taxes– Encouraged trade– Maintained
communications through road building program
– Spy system throughout empire
• Planted banyan trees to give shade to travelers
Post Mauryan India (184 BC to 320 AD)
• Last emperor assassinated; empire fragmented
• Two religions worshipped: Hinduism & Buddhism
• Hinduism in form that would be recognized as modern Hinduism
Gupta Dynasty (320-430s AD)• Ruled along Ganges
River Valley• Ushered in golden age
of Hindu culture– Art, science, architecture
flourished– Buddhism spread into
China due to Chinese pilgrims visiting India
Gupta Empire• Guptas directly ruled
densely populated Ganges River Valley
• Indirectly ruled rest of subcontinent– Traded with Persians,
Byzantines– Influence extended
into SE Asia (Cambodia, Burma)
Decline of Gupta Empire• Series of weak rulers• Invaded by Huns
– Conquered much of India
– Eventually absorbed into dominant Indian culture
• Gupta empire ended in 550 AD w/ death of last king