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6.4 Indian Empires 6.5.6 6.4 Indian Empires 6.5.6 The Big Idea The Mauryas and the Guptas built great empires in India. Main Ideas • The Mauryan Empire unified most of India. • Gupta rulers promoted Hinduism in their empire. I. Mauryan Empire unifies India (Rules) A. Chandragupta Maurya B. Asoka Empire 1. The grandson of 1. Chandragupta seized Chandragupta extended control of northern India and Mauryan rule over most of created a society dominated India. by war. 2. Asoka converted to 2. Chandragupta became a Buddhism and stopped Jainist monk and gave up his waging war, choosing instead throne. to rebuild cities and spread Buddhist teachings. II. Gupta Rulers Promote Hinduism A. New Hindu Empire 1. After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, India remained primarily Buddhist for 500 years. 2. Under the rule of Chandragupta II, India became unified and prosperous again. 3. Gupta rulers spread Hinduism in their empire through the building of temples and the promotion of Hindu writings and rituals. 4. Widespread religious tolerance was encouraged for Buddhists and Jainists. B. Gupta Society Under Chandragupta II, the Gupta Empire 1. Growth reached the height of its power. It spread across northern India and prospered. The economy boomed, allowing citizens the 2. Economy time and money to create great works of art and Culture and literature. 3. The Caste It was believed that keeping citizens under System strict caste rule would stabilize the empire. 4. Social Women in the caste system were not seen Ramifications as equals and had few basic rights. Time Line * 320 BC Chandragupta Maurya becomes the first Mauryan emperor. * 301 BC Chandragupta Maurya relinquishes the throne to become a Jainist monk. * 270 BC Asoka becomes the second Mauryan emperor. * 261 BC Asoka’s empire gains great power, and he leaves to become a Buddhist. * AD 375 Chandragupta II invades and conquers northern India and brings Hinduism, prosperity, and a strict caste system back into popular culture. 6.5 Indian Achievements 6.5.7 The Big Idea The people of ancient India made great contributions to the arts and sciences. Main Ideas • Indian artists created great works of religious art. • Sanskrit literature flourished during the Gupta period. • The Indians made scientific advances in metalworking, medicine, and other sciences. I. Religious Art A. Temples 1. Both Hindu and Buddhist temples began flourishing under Gupta rule. 2. Once simply constructed meeting places, Hindu temples became complex towers covered with intricate carvings. 3. Buddhist temples were large and impressive, some carved out of mountainsides. 4. Buddhist stupas were built to house sacred objects from the life of the Buddha. They were covered with detailed carvings. B. Paintings and Sculpture 1. Great artists were commissioned by rich and powerful members of society. 2. Paintings offered a perspective on the daily life and religious belief of the ancient Indians; many of these paintings could be found on the walls of temples. 3. Indian sculptors carved columns, statues, and entire temples in the likenesses of the Buddha and Hindu deities. II. Sanskrit Literature A. Religious Epics/ Sacred texts 1. Mahabharata 2. Ramayana a. One of the world’s longest a. The story of a deity, sacred texts Vishnu, who has taken human form b. Tells of two Indian families struggling for control b. According to Hindu of a kingdom tradition written prior to the Mahabharata c. Many long passages of Hindu beliefs and practices c. Contains models for the ideal ruler (Rama) and the ideal mate (Sita) B. Other Works 1. Chandragupta II hired a famous writer named Kalidasa to write plays for the royal court. 2. The Panchatantra, a book of stories intended to teach moral lessons and quick thinking, was translated into many languages. III. Scientific Advances 1. Pioneers of metallurgy, the Indians A. created tools and weapons by mixing iron Metalworking and other metals together. 1. The Indians invented the concept of zero B. Mathematics and developed a sophisticated number system, the Hindu-Arabic numerals. 1. Using plants and minerals, Indian doctors C. Medicine made advances in medicinal science. They were among the first to practice inoculation and perform surgery. 1. Indian astronomers knew of seven about D. Astronomy the nine planets in the solar system and could predict eclipses of the sun and moon..
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