Indian Empires
CHAPTER 5: SECTION 4
PAGES 142-145
MAURYAN EMPIRE
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Candragupta Maurya – a military leader in India
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In the 320s BC he took control of northern India
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His family’s reign lasted for about 150 years
He had a huge army (600,000 soldiers)
The farmers paid a large tax to the government,
and in return the soldiers would protect them
Candragupta wanted to become a Jain,
so he had to pass his thrown onto his son
The family rule was known as the Mauryan Dynasty
ASOKA
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Asoka was Candrugupta’s grandson
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He became king in 270 BC
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He was the strongest ruler in his family
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He had a very strong and rich empire
that spread across most of India
ASOKA and BUDDHISM
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After he converted to Buddhism, he stopped fighting
brutal wars
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He spent time trying to improve the lives of his people
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He had roads built, wells dug, rest houses built, schools and
temples built, shade trees planted
The Mauryan Empire fell apart after Asoka died in 233 BC
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His sons fought over power
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Invaders threatened the empire
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India divided into smaller states
GUPTA RULERS
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Took over India around 320 AD
First Ruler:
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Second Ruler:
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Samudra Gupta (son of Candra Gupta I)
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He conquered many lands around the Ganges River Valley
Third Ruler:
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Candra Gupta I
Candra Gupta II
They were Hindus
They promoted the caste system
They were defeated by the Huns from central Asia
India divided again