Indian Empires

142-145

Bell WorkSpread of Buddhism

Answer in complete sentences and use the textbook (140-141)

1) Why did the Buddhist’s ideas’ spread quickly?

2) The spread of Buddhism increased after which powerful king in India became a Buddhist?

3) Who spread the Buddhist religious beliefs to other kingdoms in Asia?

4) Two major branches of Buddhism were created after Buddhism split. What were the two major branches?

5) Beyond India where did Buddhism spread?

Unification of India• In 320s BC, Chandragupta Maurya (Ma-RE-ya)

seized control of northern India and founded the Mauryan Empire. It lasted 150 years.

• Complex government• Huge army of 600,000 soldiers and war

elephants (struck fear in their enemies)• Farmers paid heavy tax to government for

army’s protection.• Chandragupta becomes a Jainist Monk and

passes throne to his son. (Dynasty) • Mauryan Empire: all of northern India and

most of central India.

CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (Ma-RE-ya)

• Defeated the Macedon/Persian General Seleucus

• Divided empire into provinces then districts for tax assessments and law enforcement

• He feared assassination = used spies, food tasters, slept in different rooms

Mauryan Empire (Ma-RE-yan)

• Asoka (Chandragupta’s grandson) became king and was the strongest of all Mauryan rulers.

• Expanded territory and made empire rich through bloody wars and conquest.

• Asoka converts to Buddhism (made a promise: not launch wars of conquest)

• After conversion – improve lives of his people– Roads that connected to major cities– Wells– Shade trees– Rest house for weary travelers– Spread Buddhism by sending missionaries (to lands all over

Asia)

• Asoka dies and his sons fought each other for power, invader threatened the empire, and last Mauryan king is killed. India divides into smaller states once again.

Gupta Empire• In AD 320, Candra Gupta I (no relation

to the Mauryan rulers) took over most of India. He was the 1st Gupta ruler.

• Gupta rulers were Hindu and it became India’s major religion. However, they had religious tolerance.– Established a university at Nalanda– Buddhist Temples– Buddhist Art

Gupta Empire

• Chandra Gupta II ruled after • India hit a Golden Age under the Gupta

Empire.– Empire stretched across northern India– Outsiders admired their wealth and beauty– Economy prospered– Many Achievements (will discuss in Section 5)

• Caste System was an important part of Indian Society during the Gupta because rulers thought it would strengthen their rule.

• Gupta Empire ended in late 400s due to Huns (Central Asia) attacked and drained the Gupta’s wealth and power (economy)– India was divided into small kingdoms yet again.

Homework Reminders

• Hinduism/Buddhism advertisement is due on your block day

• Optional DAR Essays (extra 10 points)