AP World Foundations - India

Who was Chandragupta?

A great Indian military leader whos seized power.

What empire did Chandragupta create?

The Mauryan Empire

How did Chandragupta pay for his military?

He levied taxes.

How did Chandragupta centralize India?

Created a highly bureaucratic government, divided the empire into four provinces, and enforced taxation in those provinces

What was the Arthashastra

A book of policies created by Chandragupta’s advisor to help uphold the Mauryan Empire

Who was Kautilya?

Chandragupta’s advisor, member of the priestly caste who created the Arthashastra.

Who was Asoka?

King of the Mauryan Empire (269 B.C.) & Chandragupta’s grandson

How did fighting at Kalinga impact Asoka?

It saddened Asoka, leading him to study Buddhism and rule by it.

What are some accomplishment of the Mauryan empire under Asoka?

Improved conditions of travel roads/communication, the building of roads for communication, pillars or edicts with Buddhist policy, increase of buddhism.

How dd Asoka’s death impact India?

Regional kings challenged the imperial government and kingfoms of central india gained independence, Andra Dynsasty rose.

Who was Chandra Gupta?

A strong leader who rose in northern magada.

What did Chandra Gupta do?

He grew indian civilization and hindu culture

Life in India during the Gupta Empire

Most indians lived in small villages, a majority were farmers working from home, craftspeople are merchants were in specific town districts, most indian family was patriarchal, taxes were made on water, and southern India groups were matriarchal.

What eventually happened to the Gupta Empire?

Once Chandre Gupta II died, the Gupta Empire was invaded, leading to its end.

Who was the Gupta empire invaded by?

The White Huns or the Hunas

What were the two main faiths in india by 350 BCE?

Hinduism and Buddhism

What were the problems with the two religions that had developed over time?

Hinduism was dominated by priests and Buddhism was difficult to follow

What was different for Mahayana Buddhists?

They did not follow original Buddhist doctrine

How did new ideas about Buddhism affect art?

Large Buddha statues for worship that were paid for by the wealthy

How did hinduism change concerning Gods?

The growth of Monotheism

What new advancements in science and math occur in India?

Time keeping, astronomy, numerical concepts, cosmetic surgery, pi, zero, injections

What valuable items did India trade?

Woods (ebony, teak, sandalwood..), spices, gems

Whar were the Silk Roads?

Central Asian trade routes for silk

How did the Silk roafds impact India?

Introduced silk textile

How did indians use sea trade?

Shipping goods

What effects did trade have on India?

The rise of banking and commerce + the spread of culture.

How did Chandragupta support his successful war efforts?

He raised a vast army of soldiers and levied taxes to feed troops

Why did Asoka wage war early in his reign?

To expand his empire

How did Asoka show concern for his subjects’ well being?

He built roads to visit far corners of India and improved the roads to make trade easier

What did Chandra Gupta I accomplish during his reign?

FLoweing of Indian civilization ad hindu culture

What did Samdura accomplish during his reign?

Expanded his empire through 40 years of conquest

Was was Samdura?

Chandra Gupta’s son (became ruler around 335 AD)

What was the significance of Chandra Gupta II’s military victories?

Profitable trade, empire strength

What peaceful means did Chandra Gupta II use to strengthen his empire

Negotiating diplomatic and marriage alliances.

Maurya (321-180 BCE) signifcance

Asoka’s promotion of buddhism, roads for communication, trade (expansion, banking + commerce, diffusion of Indian relgion), unification of Indian subcontintent (laws and policies), centralized state, powerful militia, conquest, public works (irrigation, wells & rest houses)

Gupta (320-550 CE)

Science advancements (astronomy, maths, medical), Flowering of Indian culture, great achievments in the arts, strengthening hindiuism, banking, stronger patriarchy (less freedom to women), GOLDEN AGE, DECENTRALIZED!!!

Who were Aryans?

Indo-Iranians who influenced Inida

How did the Aryans transform India

They settled in India and began taking over surrounding kingdoms

Social hierarchy of India follow Aryan influence from bottom to top

Untouchables, Peasants/traders, traders + landowners, wrriors, and Bramins (priests)

Basic beliefs of Hindiusm

Reincarnation and karma; good/bad Karma determines what caste someone is born into

Moksha

A perfect understanding of brahman —> meeting brahman/no more reincarnation

What other religions rose across india

Janism and Buddhism

What is Janism?

The beliefs that everything has a soul

Basic beliefs of Buddhism

Four Noble Truths

What are the Four Noble Truths?

Life is filled with suffering and sorrow, the cause of all suffering is selfish desire for temporary pleasure, the only way to end all suffering is to end all desires, follwoing the eightfold bath is how to overcome desires

What is the Eightfold Path?

Middle-way between desires and self denial

Why did Buddhism appeal to Indians?

Rejections of the caste system, a chance for anyone to be enlightened

What is dharma?

a cosmic law underlying right behavior and social order.(Caste system)

How did Buddhism spread?

Written documents of his legacy after death by Buddhist missionaries,and trade.

Cultural changes and continuities post-gupta

Strong patriarchal society, social order with well defines roles (caste system), Janism, Buddhism, and Hinduism