Maurya and Gupta Empires

Maurya Empire

Chandragupta Maurya

• First ruler in the Mauryan Empire (claimed throne around 321 B.C.E)
• Made huge Armies to grow his empire; raised high taxes to pay for them
• First person to unify majority of India under one Government

Ashoka Maurya

Ashoka Maurya

• Chandragupta's grandson; most important Mauryan
• Much more kind that Chandragupta; cared more of his people's welfare
• Promotes peace instead of warfare

Ashoka's Accomplishments

• Built roads to visit all sides of India
• Created free hospitals and vet clinics
• Spreads Buddhism around India and to China (built Stupas to honor the Buddha)

Mauryan Empire declines around 185 B.C.E. after Ashoka's death

Gupta Empire

Chandra Gupta I

• (No relation to Chandragupta Maurya)
• India very peaceful; allowed for more development
• Allowed more individual leaders to have control

Achievements

Mathematics: "0", Pi (3.14), decimal system, Universities

Medicine: setting bones, surgery, vaccines for smallpox

Astronomy: Concept of a round earth

Culture: textiles, and literature

Legacy: The Gupta Empire is known as the "Golden Age" of India

Their inventions and ideas spread through Trade

Because other civilizations now had these advances, they continued to develop long after the Gupta Empire declined