Chapter 7

India’s Empire

Homework: Read pages 234-237 and complete questions worksheet

Do Now: Open to a new blank page either in your notebooks or your iPad. Label it Material After Midterms: Chapter 7

Chandragupta Unites IndiaMost of what we know about

Chandragupta’s life comes from ancient writings, stories, and legends

Some legends say he was born into Magadha’s royal family but left with poor farmers when he was young

Others say he was born into a Kshatriya family west of Magadha

KautilyaAs a young man, Chandragupta

depended on the advice of an older, educated Brahmin named Kautilya.

Kautilya had been searching for a leader to drive Greek invders out of northwestern India.

Kautilya thought Chandragupta could be trained as a leader

KautilyaKautilya helped Chandragupta

raise an army and develop a strategy to gain power.

A strategy is a long-term plan for achieving a goal◦Their strategy was to take control of

the northwest from the Greeks and then attack Magadha from the northwest

TrainingKautilya trained his people

Chandragupta was a brilliant military leader◦He armed his men with powerful

weapons, including the enormous Indian bow which was as tall as a man

Success on the BattlefieldChandragupta weakened Magadha by

attacking its borders, then moved in to take its capital city.

Then conquered other kingdoms and forced the Greeks out of northwestern India

His empire stretched from the Bay of Bengal to present-day Afghanistan ◦Making it the first time one state controlled

all of northern India

Ruling an Empire

Ruling became difficult for Chandragupta because it was large and included many different cultures

Chandragupta divided his empire into 4 regions◦Then subdivided the regions into smaller

provinces◦There were appointed officials in each

region, province, and village that carried out his orders

Ruling an EmpireChandragupta wanted to make

sure his life was protected◦He had special warriors guard his

palace◦He also set up a spy network

Much of Chandragupta’s ideas came from his advisor Kautilya who wrote a book called Arthashastra◦This gives advice on how to be a

good leader

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Homework: ◦Page 241 4-8◦Chapter 7 Quiz Tuesday

Do Now: compare your homework questions with a partner

Following JainismAs Chandragupta grew older, he

became a Jain – A follower of Jainism◦An Indian religion where individuals

aim for enlightenment

Legends say Chandragupta gave up being emperor to join a Jain monastery

Passing the PowerPower was passed to his son,

Bindusara, who expanded the Maurya empire even farther across India

Then, his son Ashoka took power◦Ashoka was one of 7 sons and legends say

Bindusara did not like him

When Bindusara died, there was a struggle for the Maurya throne ◦Ashoka won after 4 years of fighting

Expanding the Empire

Ashoka spent the next 8 years strengthening his hold on power

He went to war again, targeting the kingdom of Kalinga◦Eventually, Ashoka conquered Kalinga

but at a price – Thousands of soldiers died

Changing WaysThe pain and suffering Ashoka

saw during the war made him think about how he wanted to rule

He began to follow Buddhist ways and turned away from violence◦Rejected some of the harsh

punishments from the Arthashastra

New Rules for the EmpireAshoka replaced rule by force with

rule based on dharma (moral law)

He included three principles◦Ahimsa – belief that one should not

hurt any living thing. Ashoka gave up hunting and banned cruelty of animals

◦Tolerance – willingness to respect different beliefs and customs

◦People’s well-being

Ashoka’s Stone PillarsTo share his ideas, Ashoka had

stone pillars set up across his empire

Each pillar was 40 feet and weighed 50 tons

He carved messages into each pillar◦Assured his subjects he was focused

on their well-being◦Apologized for making war on

Kalinga◦Explained his new goals

Friday, January 31, 2014Define invention as best as you

can

Name 2 contributions from ancient Indians and explain how they impacted society

The Gupta EmpireThe end of the Mauryan Empire caused

500 years of fighting

There is a new Chandrgupta who founds the Gupta Empire◦Smaller◦Wealthy – traded salt, iron, and cloth◦Pilgrims were people who often used the trade

routes to travel to a religious shrine or site. Visiting pilgrims helped make cities wealthy

◦Became known as the “Golden Age” of India because of new art and learning (science)

Contributions of Ancient India

Literature:

•Sacred texts•Mahabharata•Ramayana

•Tells about brave warriors and heroic deeds. It is one’s duty to follow, even if painful and difficult.

Contributions of Ancient IndiaArts & Architecture:

Sculptures and carvings on temples

Distinct representation of their culture

Contributions of Ancient IndiaMath:• “0” zero• Infinity• Hindu-Arabic system (1-9)

• algorithms

Keep records of trade, population, place value and time

Contributions of Ancient India

Science:Mapped the paths of the stars and planets

• Sense of world around them

• We orbit the sun.

Contributions of Ancient IndiaMedical

(Science):

• Operations• Causes of diseases

• Set bones in place

• Not only did they find cures, but how to remove the causes

Contributions of Ancient IndiaWhich one of these achievements impacted ancient India the most? Which one do you think impacts our society the most?

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