G u i d e
t o
R e a d i n g
N o t e s
Section 2
Section 4
1. Check students’ maps by referring to the map
of the Mauryan Empire in Section 2 of History
Alive! The Ancient World.
1. Answers should describe the four main goals
of Ashoka’s edicts.
2. Students’ paragraphs will vary. Possible
response:
Ancient India was divided into many small kingdoms that were weak from fighting each
other. Chandragupta Maurya used his great
army to conquer and unite all of northern
India. He kept his empire strong by using force
whenever necessary. He used his powerful
army, a network of spies, and even torture. His
rule was harsh, but it was successful in some
ways. He created a strong central government.
He made sure farmers had water for their
crops. The empire continued to grow after he
gave up power.
Section 3
Students’ paragraphs will vary. Possible response:
Ashoka expanded the Mauryan Empire through a
series of wars. After one especially brutal battle, he
decided to reject violence and embrace Buddhism.
He supported the Buddhist values of love, peace,
and nonviolence. He gave up wars of conquest. He
wanted his people to follow the Buddhist path and
urged them to be kind, respectful, and moral. He
spread Buddhism beyond India by sending his son
to Ceylon. Ashoka was a practical ruler, though.
He still allowed slavery, kept a strong army, and
did not return any of the lands the Mauryas had
conquered.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
• Buddhist Values. These edicts encouraged Buddhist teachings, such as being respectful, practicing nonviolence, not getting attached to worldly things and acting morally.
• General Welfare. These edicts promoted
people’s well-being, such as making sure
people had good health, shelter, clean water,
and food.
• Justice. These edicts were in regard to fair
laws and described how people would be
treated in court and in jail.
• Security. These edicts were concerned with
the enemies of the Mauryan Empire and
noncitizens. They dealt with issues of peace and conquest.
2. Answers will vary. Sample answer: These edicts
were carved into walls, rocks, and tall pillars in
public places as a way to communicate with the
greatest number of people. Spreading Ashoka’s
messages of Buddhist values helped more
people to know and follow the same laws.
3. Answers will vary. Sample answer: Ashoka helped to spread Buddhism throughout his empire and beyond, by introducing it to his people and to Ceylon. Later, Buddhism spread
from northwestern India to Central Asia. From
there, it spread to China, Korea, and Japan.
The First Unification of India 1