3.2 Empires of India p.76-81

Big Idea: New Indian empires grew rich through trade and left lasting accomplishments.

• 400 B.C. India was divided (Hinduism vs. Buddhism = no political unity)

• New empires developed – Invaders– Persians , Greeks, Macedonians

• Indian people unify = Strong empires–Mauryan, Kushan, Gupta

Mauryan Empire

• Chandragupta Maurya -founder– drove out foreign invaders– Harsh, but effective– Secret police, large army- feared – Assassination

• Asoka – Great ruler – Converted to Buddhism– Rejected violence / preached

tolerances– Expanded economy- major trade

crossroads– Asoka’s death- empire collapsed .

Kushan Empire• Nomadic warriors -moved through Northern

India • Controlled Trade Network

– Silk Road• Connected china to Rome • Camel Caravans • Luxury Items (Silk) – Dangerous road

• Persians overran Kush Empire

Empire of the Gupta

• Pushed out weak Kushan Kingdom • Founder - Candra Gupta – Northern

India – expanded as far as central India

• Golden age of India – Arts, Temples- Hindu and Buddhist

• Strong economy – Leaders owned-Silver / gold mines – religious trade– Traded

• China, Southeast Asia – along Mediterranean sea

• Downfall – nomadic Huns invaded from Northwest.

Indian Accomplishment

• Literature – Vedas-religious stories /prayers

- tell about faith• Mahabharata- longest poem (epic)

– (Bhagavad Gita) – Ramayana- Rama fights to Save

Sita • Architecture

– Pillar, Stupta, Rock chamber• Science and Mathematics

– Astronomy-movement of stars/ Rotation of earth on an axis/ earth revolved around the sun

– Algebra, Concept of zero

Section 3-2 Review

• What was the 4000-mile transportation route stretching from China to Syria called?

• Silk Road• The Mauryan Empire flourished under Asoka,

who did what?• Convert to Buddhism, set up hospitals and

built up India’s role in regional trade

Section 3-2 Review

• What is the most famous section of the epic poem, the Mahabharata?

• Bhagavad Gita• Silk was especially desired by who?• The Romans• What was the type of religious structure

originally meant to house relics?• Stupa

Section 3-2 Review• Chinese merchants traded luxury goods for

what?• Woolen and linen clothes, glass, and precious

stones• Who was the famous Indian mathematician?• Aryabhata• By the late fifth century A.D., invasions by

nomadic Huns did what?• Reduced the power of the Guptas

Section 3-2 Review

• Who were the people who traveled to religious places?

• Pilgrims• In the first century A.D., in Bactria, known

today as Afghanistan, the Kushan kingdom did what?

• Prospered from trade along the Silk Road