By Amy Zimmerman and Kathleen MacNabb

1
Mauryan Empire

• By Amy Zimmerman and Kathleen MacNabb

2
Time Period

• 322 to 185 BCE
• After Alexander the Great
• Chandragupta Maurya captured Alexanders former
  states
•    

3
Geography

• Himalayan mountain range
• Punjab Plain and the Thar desert
• Chin Hills and Kachin Hills

4
Political Structures

• Centralized
• Large staff
• Tax collection, trade and commerce, vital
  statistics, welfare of foreigners, maintaining
  public places
• Organized army
• Provinces
• Districts
• Villages

5
Chandragupta Maurya

• 321 B.C.E. 297 B.C.E.
• United India
• Time of economic growth

6
Asoka

• 268 B.C.E. 232 B.C.E.
• Converted to Buddhism
• Dharma
• Increased infrastructure
• Empire declines after Asokas death

7
Literary Works

• Kautilya
• Arthasastra
• Science of Politics
• Machiavellis Prince

8
Architecture

• Pillars
• Lion Capital of Asoka
• Stupas
• Barabar Caves

9
Religion- Jainism

• Religious transformation of government, due to
  Chandragupta
• Samrat Samprati is known to have built 125,000
  Jain Temples across India.
• Samrat Samprati sent messengers preachers to
  Greece, Persia middle-east for the spread of
  Jainism.

321-297 Chandragupta Maurya
297-272 Bindusara
268-232 Asoka
232-224 Dasaratha
224-215 Samprati
215-202 Salisuka
202-195 Devavarman
195-187 Satadhanvan
187-180 Brihadratha
10
Religion- Buddhism

• Stopped military force
• Spread Buddhism
• Construction of infrastructure, increased trade,
  exploration and artistic exploration

321-297 Chandragupta Maurya
297-272 Bindusara
268-232 Asoka
232-224 Dasaratha
224-215 Samprati
215-202 Salisuka
202-195 Devavarman
195-187 Satadhanvan
187-180 Brihadratha
11
Religion- Brahmanism

• Religious freedom and tolerance
• Clearly-defined position in society lead to
  stability
• Philosophy of ahimsa, lead to improved law
  enforcement

321-297 Chandragupta Maurya
297-272 Bindusara
268-232 Asoka
232-224 Dasaratha
224-215 Samprati
215-202 Salisuka
202-195 Devavarman
195-187 Satadhanvan
187-180 Brihadratha
12
Religion- General

• Promise of Nirvana encouraged Mauryans to follow
  very constricting rules
• Rules and principles of self- improvement and
  non-violence resulted in effective government
  control, leading to stability.
• Focus on Enlightenment

13
Economy

• Arthashastra
• Standardized currency and tax-system
• Infrastructure and trade diplomats sponsored by
  government
• Private enterprise

14
Economy

• Controlled Khyber Pass
• Trade with Greece, Hellenistic Kingdoms and
  Malaysian Peninsula

15
Social Systems

• Extended family smallest social unit
• High-point for women in ancient India
• Some slavery
• Very little use of caste system

16
Bibliography

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