Classical Indian Imperial Expansion and Collapse

A. The Mauryan Empire, 324 B.C.E.–184 B.C.E. Began as kingdom of Magadha (benefited from geography; agriculture & iron) Mauryan Empire founded by Chandragupta -a Machiavellian Brahmin, Kautilya , advisor -wrote book of political statecraft -network of spies 3. capital at Pataliputra Imperial government: -large army -25% percent tax on all goods

Began as kingdom of Magadha (benefited from geography; agriculture & iron)

Mauryan Empire founded by Chandragupta

-a Machiavellian Brahmin, Kautilya , advisor

-wrote book of political statecraft

-network of spies

3. capital at Pataliputra

Imperial government:

-large army

-25% percent tax on all goods

5. most famous Mauryan emperor: Ashoka (r. 269–232 B.C.E.) -shaken carnage in brutal war & converted to Buddhism -Buddhist policies inscribed on rocks and pillars ( stupas ) throughout empire -built extensive roads

5. most famous Mauryan emperor: Ashoka (r. 269–232 B.C.E.)

-shaken carnage in brutal war & converted to Buddhism

-Buddhist policies inscribed on rocks and pillars ( stupas ) throughout empire

-built extensive roads

B. Commerce and Culture The Mauryan empire collapsed in 184 B.C.E. (political fragmentation) economic development of guilds and merchants cultural developments of epic Indian literature: Mahabharata Ramayana Bhagavad Gita

The Mauryan empire collapsed in 184 B.C.E. (political

fragmentation)

economic development of guilds and merchants

cultural developments of epic Indian literature:

Mahabharata

Ramayana

Bhagavad Gita

C. The Gupta Empire, 320–550 C.E. Gupta Empire began from Magadha & conquered north & central central India ( Chandra Gupta I ) -iron deposits, state monopolies, 25% agricultural tax army controlled core of empire, but provincial administration left to governors (hereditary) lack of military force created “ theater-state ” -redistributing wealth from trade and elaborate ceremonies

Gupta Empire began from Magadha & conquered north & central central India ( Chandra Gupta I )

-iron deposits, state monopolies, 25% agricultural tax

army controlled core of empire, but provincial administration left to governors (hereditary)

lack of military force created “ theater-state ”

-redistributing wealth from trade and elaborate ceremonies

little archaeological data, but great achievements: -math and astronomy (invented our “ Arabic” numerals and concept of “zero”) -Chinese monk Faxian’s journey through Gupta India Women’s rights: NO inheritance or property… treated like lowest varna (Shudra) -married very young (widow could be required to burn herself on her husband’s funeral pyre)

little archaeological data, but great achievements:

-math and astronomy (invented our

“ Arabic” numerals and concept of “zero”)

-Chinese monk Faxian’s journey through

Gupta India

Women’s rights: NO inheritance or property… treated like lowest varna (Shudra)

-married very young (widow could be required to burn herself on her husband’s funeral pyre)

dominated by Hinduism and classic form of Hindu temples Gupta India linked by extensive trade networks In 550 C.E Gupta empire collapsed under financial burden of defense against Huns

dominated by Hinduism and classic form of Hindu temples

Gupta India linked by extensive trade networks

In 550 C.E Gupta empire collapsed under financial burden of defense against Huns

Extensive Trade: 4 th c. spices spices gold & ivory gold & ivory rice & wheat horses cotton goods cotton goods silks

Medicine Literature Mathematics Astronomy Printed medicinal guides 1000 diseases classified Plastic Surgery C-sections performed Inoculations 500 healing plants identified Decimal System Concept of Zero PI = 3.1416 Kalidasa Solar Calendar The earth is round Gupta India Gupta Achievements

D. Southeast Asia, 50–1025 C.E. first major state: Funan in Mekong delta area Srivijayan Kingdom located on Sumatra and dominated new southern trade route through Strait of Malacca

first major state: Funan in Mekong delta area

Srivijayan Kingdom located on Sumatra and dominated new southern trade route through Strait of Malacca