India’s First EmpiresIndia’s First Empires

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Section 3Section 3

Did You Know?Did You Know?

Following Buddhist ways, Asoka respected all Following Buddhist ways, Asoka respected all life and even created hospitals for animals. life and even created hospitals for animals.

The Mauryan DynastyThe Mauryan Dynasty Chandragupta MauryaChandragupta Maurya: : an Indian prince; founded India’s first empire an Indian prince; founded India’s first empire

after Alexander the Great left Indiaafter Alexander the Great left India This empire was called: “The Mauryan Empire”This empire was called: “The Mauryan Empire”

DynastyDynasty: is a series of ruler from the same family.: is a series of ruler from the same family. From the capital city of From the capital city of PataliputraPataliputra, Chandragupta controlled his , Chandragupta controlled his

dynasty by retaining a strong army and spies.dynasty by retaining a strong army and spies. Many historians consider Many historians consider AsokaAsoka the Mauryan dynasty’s greatest king. the Mauryan dynasty’s greatest king. After being a strong military leader, Asoka turned away from After being a strong military leader, Asoka turned away from

violence.violence. He made a vow to live a peaceful life and follow Buddhism.He made a vow to live a peaceful life and follow Buddhism. Asoka did many great things for his people.Asoka did many great things for his people.

He built hospitals and new roads and sent teachers throughout India to teach He built hospitals and new roads and sent teachers throughout India to teach Buddhism.Buddhism.

Laborers built thousands of Laborers built thousands of stupasstupas, or Buddhist shrines. , or Buddhist shrines.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What happened as a result of Alexander the What happened as a result of Alexander the Great’s invasion of northern India?Great’s invasion of northern India?

Alexander the Great’s army weakened the Alexander the Great’s army weakened the people of India.people of India.

After Alexander the Great and his men left, the After Alexander the Great and his men left, the people could not resist Chandragupta. people could not resist Chandragupta.

The Gupta EmpireThe Gupta Empire After 500 years of fighting, another Chandragupta After 500 years of fighting, another Chandragupta

took power and founded the Gupta dynasty. took power and founded the Gupta dynasty. After Chandragupta died, his son, Samudragupt, took over After Chandragupta died, his son, Samudragupt, took over

and expanded the empire. and expanded the empire. The Guptas ruled for about 200 years. The Guptas ruled for about 200 years.

They grew wealthy from trade with China and kingdoms in They grew wealthy from trade with China and kingdoms in southeast Asia and the Mediterranean. southeast Asia and the Mediterranean.

PilgrimsPilgrims: were people who often used the trade routes to travel to a : were people who often used the trade routes to travel to a religious shrine or site. religious shrine or site.

Visiting pilgrims helped make cities wealthy just as tourists make Visiting pilgrims helped make cities wealthy just as tourists make cities wealthy today.cities wealthy today.

The Guptas were The Guptas were HindusHindus, and they made Hinduism the , and they made Hinduism the official religion. official religion.

The Golden Age of Art and Learning in India was during The Golden Age of Art and Learning in India was during the Gupta Empire. the Gupta Empire.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What advantage did the Gupta rulers have that What advantage did the Gupta rulers have that the Mauryan rulers did not?the Mauryan rulers did not?

The kingdom had gotten smaller before the The kingdom had gotten smaller before the Gupta rulers took power.Gupta rulers took power. A smaller kingdom is easier to rule.A smaller kingdom is easier to rule.

Indian Literature and ScienceIndian Literature and Science

The VedasThe Vedas of India are hymns and prayers used in of India are hymns and prayers used in religious ceremonies. religious ceremonies. The epics The epics RamaRamayanayana and and MahaMahabarata barata that are still that are still

famous in India today. famous in India today. Both epics tell about warriors and their brave deeds.Both epics tell about warriors and their brave deeds.

This is the center of Hinduism. This is the center of Hinduism. KalidasaKalidasa: was a writer who lived during the Gupta : was a writer who lived during the Gupta

dynasty. His poem dynasty. His poem The Cloud Messenger The Cloud Messenger is a popular is a popular Sanskrit poem. Sanskrit poem.

Music was an important part of the religious and Music was an important part of the religious and social lives of people of India. social lives of people of India.

Indian Literature and Science Indian Literature and Science continuedcontinued

Remains of Indian art include mainly religious works Remains of Indian art include mainly religious works made in stone. made in stone.

AryabhataAryabhata was a mathematician who lived during was a mathematician who lived during the Gupta dynasty. the Gupta dynasty. He was one of the first scientists to use algebra. He was one of the first scientists to use algebra.

Mathematicians in the Gupta empire developed the Mathematicians in the Gupta empire developed the symbols for the numbers 1 to 9 that we use today.symbols for the numbers 1 to 9 that we use today. They also invented algorithms and the idea of zero. They also invented algorithms and the idea of zero.

Indians also developed ideas in astronomy and Indians also developed ideas in astronomy and medicine. medicine.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What kinds of medical advances were made by What kinds of medical advances were made by Gupta doctors?Gupta doctors?

Gupta doctors could set broken bones and Gupta doctors could set broken bones and perform surgeries.perform surgeries.

The also developed medical tools. The also developed medical tools. One doctor even carried out an early form of One doctor even carried out an early form of

plastic surgery. plastic surgery.