Classical India Project

Flashcards covering key concepts, figures, and events related to the Mauryan and Gupta Empires, their religions, and cultural significance.

Mauryan Empire

A major empire in ancient India that existed from 324 BCE to 185 BCE, covering nearly all of modern-day India and parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Chandragupta Maurya

The founder of the Mauryan Empire, who ruled from 324 to 297 BCE and was considered the unifier of India.

Ashoka Maurya

Grandson of Chandragupta, he ruled from 269 to 232 BCE, expanded the empire, converted to Buddhism, and promoted its teachings.

Edicts of Ashoka

Inscriptions issued by Ashoka that outlined his interpretation of dharma and promoted Buddhism.

S.P.I.C.E.S

An acronym used to identify Social, Political, Interactions, Cultural, Economic, and Scientific aspects of a civilization.

Hinduism

A major world religion with no single founder, focusing on the cycle of life and the attainment of moksha.

Buddhism

A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama that teaches the path to enlightenment through the elimination of desires.

Jainism

Founded by Mahavira, it emphasizes self-realization and the soul's journey to nirvana.

Golden Age

The period during the Gupta Empire characterized by significant advancements in art, science, literature, and culture.

Arabic Numerals

Also known as Hindu-Arabic numeral system, it is the number system that originated in India and was spread to the western world through Arab traders.

Gupta Empire

An ancient Indian empire that replaced the Mauryan Empire, existing from approximately 320 to 550 CE, known for its political stability and the 'Golden Age' of India.

Chandra Gupta I

The first major sovereign of the Gupta dynasty who reigned from 320 to 335 CE and consolidated territory in northern India.

Samudragupta

The second ruler of the Gupta Empire, celebrated as a conqueror and a patron of the arts, often referred to as the 'Napoleon of India'.

Chandra Gupta II

Also known as Vikramaditya, he ruled from 375 to 415 CE, during which time the Gupta Empire reached its peak in territorial size and cultural achievement.

The Concept of Zero

A major mathematical advancement formalized during the Gupta Empire, allowing for the development of the decimal system and modern arithmetic.

White Huns (Hephthalites)

A nomadic group from Central Asia whose repeated invasions in the 5th century CE significantly weakened and eventually led to the collapse of the Gupta Empire.

Social (S.P.I.C.E.S) - Mauryan/Gupta

Ancient Indian society was organized by the Varna (caste) system; the Gupta period saw a decline in the status of women and the increased marginalization of 'untouchables.'

Political (S.P.I.C.E.S) - Mauryan/Gupta

The Mauryan Empire maintained a highly centralized bureaucracy for control, while the Gupta Empire operated as a more decentralized 'theater state' with local autonomy.

Interactions (S.P.I.C.E.S) - Mauryan/Gupta

Both empires interacted with their environment by Expanding irrigation for agriculture and utilizing the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade routes for international exchange.

Cultural (S.P.I.C.E.S) - Mauryan/Gupta

The cultural landscape was shaped by the state promotion of Buddhism under Ashoka and the later resurgence of Hinduism, Sanskrit literature, and classical art under the Guptas.

Economic (S.P.I.C.E.S) - Mauryan/Gupta

Legacies of both empires include a wealth-generating agrarian base and state-monitored trade of goods like textiles and spices, creating a prosperous commercial network.

Scientific (S.P.I.C.E.S) - Mauryan/Gupta

Scientific advancements reached a peak during the Gupta period with the development of the decimal system, the calculation of \pi, and breakthroughs in metallurgy and medicine.