BL World History Chapter 7.1 India's First Empires

Why was Asoka's first military campaign also his last?

Asoka felt sorrow about the killing at Kalinga (to expand empire) and converted to Buddhism and living by the rule of "peace to all beings."

Pick an object or symbol for each of the rulers. Explain

Chandragupta = Stack of Gold. He heavily taxed his people and live in extreme extravagance. Asoka = Peace sign. He brought peace religious tolerance to the empire Chandra Gupta = Wedding Ring. He became king by marrying into an influential royal family. OR Chandra Gupta = Art. His time as leader saw a love of art.

Asoka

Chandragupta's grandson who ruled for 32 years (r. 270-232 B.C.E.). He converted to Buddhism and broadcast his precepts on inscribed stones and pillars, the earliest surviving Indian writing.

What impact did the Greeks, Persians and Central Asians have on Indian life between the Mauryan and Gupta empires?

Greeks, Persians, and Central Asians fled the political instability of parts of Asia and disrupted Indian society, but they also introduced languages and customs that added to the already-rich blend of Indian culture. (Cultural diffusion)

Which Indian ruler described in this section would you rather live under? Explain.

I would want to live under Asoka's rule because he was ruler who learned through example. He did not like the slaughter of war so he embraced peace and treated his people fairly, and humanely. He believed in religious tolerance and built extensive roads, wells and rest houses on these roads for his people within his empire.

Gupta empire

India's 2nd greatest empire of ancient times, held power in the north from 320-525AD. experienced a great flowering of Indian civilization, especially Hindu culture. Rulers promoted progress in the arts, religious thought, and science

Which empire, Mauryan or Gupta, had a more significant impact on Indian history? Explain.

The Mauryan Empire had a more significant impact because it was the empire that politically unified north India for the first time. An empire was born. The empire was originally based on military dominance, but evolved into a peaceful, tolerant society. The Gupta Empire had a more significant impact because of the advancement of society and the great achievements in the arts, religious thought and science.

Mauryan Empire

The first state to unify most of the Indian subcontinent. It was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 324 B.C.E. and survived until 184 B.C.E. From its capital at Pataliputra in the Ganges Valley it grew wealthy from taxes.

matriarchal

a cultural pattern in some Tamil groups in families were led by the mother. Property and sometimes the throne were passed through the female line (southern India)

religious toleration

acceptance and respect for people who hold different religious beliefs) (1st amendment in U.S.)

patriarchal

cultural pattern in which families were led by eldest male (most of India)

Tamil

language/region of 3 kingdoms in southern India that was never conquered by Mauryans so not incorporated into ancient India's empires

What caused the fall of the Gupta empire?

outside invasion from the hunas destabilized the government

Who were the Tamil people?

they were a people in three kingdoms of southern India who were never conquered by the Mauryans and often fought amongst each other. They spoke the Tamil language.