Title: Chapter 6 Section 3
1Chapter 6Section 3
- Indias First Civilizations
2Section Overview
- The Mauryan and Gupta dynasties built empires in
India, and they contributed greatly to
literature, mathematics, and science.
3The Mauryan Dynasty
- Chandragupta Maurya, an Indian prince, founded
Indias first empire after Alexander the Great
left India - This empire was called the Mauryan dynasty.
- A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same
family. - Chandragupta controlled his dynasty by retaining
a strong army and using spies
4Mauryan Empire
5The Mauryan Dynasty
- Many historians consider Asoka the Mauryan
dynastys greatest king. - After he was a strong military leader, Asoka
turned away from violence. - He made a vow to live a peaceful life and follow
Buddhism. - Asoka did many great things for his people.
6The Mauryan Empire
- For example, he built hospitals and new roads and
sent teachers throughout India to teach Buddhism. - The empire grew weak after Asokas death.
- The kings made poor decisions, and the Mauryan
Empire fell.
7 Indias First Empires
What happened as a result of Alexander the
Greats invasion of northern India?
Alexander the Greats army weakened the people of
India. After Alexander the Great and his men
left, the people could not resist Chandragupta.
8The Gupta Empire
- After 500 years of fighting, another Chandragupta
took power and founded the Gupta dynasty. - After Chandragupta died, his son, Samudragupta,
took over and expanded the empire. - The Guptas ruled their small kingdom successfully
for about 200 years. - They grew wealthy from trading salt, cloth, and
iron with China and kingdoms in southeast Asia
and the Mediterranean.
9The Gupta Empire p. 313
10The Gupta Empire
- Pilgrims were people who often used the trade
routes to travel to a religious shrine or site. - Visiting pilgrims helped make cities wealthy just
as tourists make cities wealthy today. - The Guptas were Hindus, and they made Hinduism
the official religion - The golden age of art and learning in India was
during the Gupta empire.
11 Indias First Empires
What advantage did the Gupta rulers have that the
Mauryan rulers did not?
The kingdom had gotten smaller before the Gupta
rulers took power. The smaller kingdom was easier
to rule.
12Indian Literature and Science
- The Vedas of India are hymns and prayers used in
religious ceremonies. - The Vedas were recorded in Sanskrit after the
Aryan people came to India. - The epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are two epics
that tell about warriors and their brave deeds.
13Indian Literature and Science
Indian Literature and Science Mahabharata - longest poem in the written language tells of a war over control of India that occurred around 1100 B.C. - Best known section is the Bhagavad Gita Song of the Lord, in which the god Krishna preaches that it is noble to perform ones duty even when it is painful or difficult. Ramayana - A love story about King Rama and his queen Sita who were separated when his enemies banished him. He lives alone but eventually fights and defeats the demon Ravana, who kidnapped Sita, and they live happily ever after.
14Bhagavad Gita
- Read the Primary Source insert on p. 214 and
answer the question, What does Krishna believe
about life after death?
15Indian Literature and Science
Indian Literature and Science Kalidasa was a writer who lived during the Gupta dynasty. Kalidasas poem The Cloud Messenger is one of the most popular Sanskrit poems. Aryabhata was a mathematician who was one of the first to use algebra.
16Indian Math and Science
Indian Math and Science Mathematicians in the Gupta empire developed the symbols for the numbers 1 to 9 that we use today. They also invented algorithms and the idea of zero. Indians also developed ideas in astronomy and medicine.
17Indian Math and Science
Indian Math and Science Indian doctors were very advanced. They could set bones and perform operations. Shushruta carried out early forms of plastic surgery to restore damaged noses. Felt it was important to understand the cause and cure of diseases.
18 Indias First Empires
What kinds of medical advances were made by Gupta
doctors?
Gupta doctors could set broken bones and perform
surgeries. They also developed medical tools.
One doctor even carried out an early form of
plastic surgery.
19 Indias First Empires
Describe trade during the Gupta empire?
Indians traded salt, cloth, and iron with China,
Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean.
20 Indias First Empires
What is the message of the Bhagavad Gita?
It taught people to do their duty even when it
was painful.
21 Indias First Empires
Analyze How were Asokas Buddhist beliefs
reflected in his accomplishments as king?
His improvements were for the overall good. He
built hospitals, roads, and rest stops for
travelers sent missionaries throughout India and
Asia carved Buddhas principles on pillars
built stupas and practiced religious tolerance.
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