Download The Golden Age of India

Subject
The Mauryas and the Guptas
Essential Question How did the Golden Age of India affect the religious landscape of
India?
Maurya dynasty
Chandragupta
Asoka
Gupta dynasty
Arabic numerals
Stupa
1. The Mauryas. The Maurya dynasty of ancient India is known
for its two most famous rulers, Chandragupta and his grandson
Asoka. Chandragupta Maurya was a strong king known for his
well-organized bureaucracy. Royal officials oversaw public works
(including road construction), taxation, shipbuilding, and courts of
law. Chandragupta was also effective as a harsh leader who did not
tolerate dissent (opinions that challenged the decisions of the
government). He created a brutal secret police that cracked down on
crime and dangerous thinking. Chandragupta also employed specially
trained female guards to protect his palace.
2. Chandragupta’s grandson Asoka is the most famous of all the
Maurya rulers. Asoka was a brilliant military general who converted
to Buddhism after waging a bloody war of conquest in the region of
Kalinga. As a Buddhist, Asoka became a vegetarian and re-ordered
his government around principles of peace that would benefit all
peoples. He ordered that roads be built and wells dug so that his
people could travel and survive with greater comfort. Most
importantly, he sent Buddhist missionaries out from India, which
paved the way for the spread of Buddhism. Thanks to Asoka,
Buddhism eventually reached China and became the dominant
religion of East Asia.
3. The Guptas. India enjoyed a golden age of peace and prosperity
500 years after the Mauryas during the rule of the Gupta dynasty.
The Guptas were not as harsh as the Mauryas and left a lot of power
in the hands of local leaders (rather than centralizing all power in the
hands of the emperor). Trade and agriculture flourished during the
rule of the Guptas. Mathematicians and doctors made significant
advancements. Math scholars, for instance, developed the Arabic
numerals (number system that is used today), the decimal system,
and the concept of zero, while physicians and surgeons began
developing vaccines for illnesses and performing surgeries on broken
bones. Gupta architects built enormous stupas, large dome-shaped
shrines to honor the remains of the Buddha and other holy people.
Decorative carvings on the stupas reflected ideas about
enlightenment and presented sacred images of Hindu deities
(representing Brahman). As Buddhism spread to other parts of Asia,
Hinduism flourished in India during the Gupta age. Poetry and art
also reached new heights during the Gupta empire.