India’s First Empires
Before the great empires
• Rulers had responsibilities (dharma) to
promote economic growth, resist invaders,
enforce laws and establish peace
• Tribal leaders in the north called rajahs
fight each other
Alexander the Great
• In 326 B.C.E., Alexander the Great
brought the northeastern part of the Indus
River Valley under the Greek control.
• But almost immediately after, Alexander
left the region.
• Soon after, a great Indian military leader,
Chandragupta Maurya seized power for
himself
Chandragupta Maurya
• Chandragupta gathers an army, kills the
Nanda king, and in about 321 B.C. claims
the throne.
• This begins the
Mauryan Empire.
• Chandragupta defeats
Seleucus I, a great
general of Alexander
Chandragupta Maurya
• Chandragupta Maurya builds northern
empire
– Capital at Pataliputra: schools, libraries,
palaces, parks and temples
– City is surrounded by huge walls
– Well-organized bureaucracy: public works,
roads, courts, taxes, postal service and strong
military/police force
Asoka
• 268 B.C.E., Asoka (grandson of
Chandragupta) conquers Deccan region
and builds empire that covers almost 2/3
of sub-continent
• He converts to Buddhism because he is
horrified by war
– sponsors missionaries to spread the religion
to Sri Lanka, Syria, Egypt and Southeast Asia
Asoka
• Rock Edicts: Stone pillars have written
laws (in local languages) at entryway to
each city in his empire as
a promise of justice
• Helps his “children” by
building roads, creating
hospitals, promoting trade
and encouraging prosperity
After Asoka
• 185 B.C.E., rival princes begin to battle
again
• Invasions and war were common and
geography divided people
• 320-550 C.E., Gupta family (dynasty)
unites north and a “golden age” begins
Chandragupta II
• 375-415 C.E., Chandragupta II
• Encourages learning based on
Upanishads
• Sanskrit becomes dominant language of
north and writing of poetry, plays,
philosophy, math and science is
encouraged
Achievements
• Mathematics: concept of zero first
introduce, devised number system from 19 (called “Arabic numeral because
adopted and spread by those traders),
developed simple algebra
• Science: basic idea about gravity, knew
earth was round, doctors set bones and
performed operations
End of the Golden Era
• By 600 C.E., rival kingdoms and states
exist again