Mauryan Dynasty

The rise and fall of the Mauryan Dynasty through Chandragupta and Ashoka the Great.

1. Mauryan Empire 321BCE – 185 BCE

2. The Aryans weren’t unified Different Aryan tribes settled into different farming communities

3. Chandragupta Maurya He was from the Mauryan family in India He united all of the fragmented states after Alexander the Great’s death He ruled very strictly

4. Chandragupta’s Rule His empire is the largest Indian empire ever in history He ruled very strictly. He created laws on everything in society from trade to gender behaviors Hinduism was still dominant in India, even though Buddhism was already rapidly spreading

5. Chandragupta expanded the empire to be the largest Indian Empire in history

6. The Mauryan Dynasty in 320 BCE

7. The Mauryan Dynasty in 305 BCE after defeating Seleucus of Seleucid Persia

8. The Mauryan Dynasty in 300 BCE after expanding into the Deccan Plateau

9. Bindusara Maurya Took control after Chandragupta’s death He encouraged trade with other empires like Greece He kept the empire unified His son was Ashoka the Great

10. Ashoka the Great Like his grandfather, he was focused on expansion of the empire He leads India into the bloody Kalinga War

11. Kalinga War Ashoka the Great wanted to expand into the Kalinga region of the sub-continent in 262 BCE The region was very valuable because it could provide coastal trading with southeast Asia

12. The number of deaths rose to 250,000 people Ashoka the Great was disgusted by his actions and swore to be a more peaceful ruler

13. The Mauryan Dynasty in 265 BCE after the Kalinga War

14. Ashoka the Great converts to Buddhism To become more peaceful, Ashoka converts from Hinduism to Buddhism He does not force his citizens to convert with him though

15. Ashoka placed edicts around his empire He placed edicts with laws and Buddhist sayings around his empire He wanted to spread his message

16. Why was Ashoka’s governing style successful? Red each quote that was inscribed on Ashoka’s pillars Write down: Your interpretation of what it means (What is it saying?) Your explanation as to why this would be a successful governing tactic

17. “On the roads…trees have been planted for the enjoyment of animals and men. I have had ponds dug and shelters erected along the roads. Everywhere I have had wells dug .”

18. “My officers have been appointed for the welfare and happiness of the…people. I have given them…authority in judgment and punishment. But it is desirable that there should be uniformity in judicial [trial] procedure and punishment”

19. “If the unconquered peoples on my border ask what is my will, they should understand this: I desire that they should trust me and have only happiness in their dealings with me”

20. “Everywhere, I, Ashoka, King of Priyadarsi , Beloved of the Gods, have arranged for two kinds of medical treatment: medical treatment for men and treatment for animals”

21. The Decline of the Mauryan Dynasty After Ashoka’s death, he was followed by 50 years of weaker emperors The last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha was assassinated in 185 BCE, and the Shunga Dynasty was established The Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius took over the empire in 180 BCE and formed the Indo-Greek Kingdom