whap period 5 rachel greenlee percy strowhorn iii
TRANSCRIPT
MAURYAN EMPIRE324 B.C.E.- 185 B.C.E.
WHAPPeriod 5
Rachel GreenleePercy Strowhorn III
Geography•Originated in the Punjab region (modern day Pakistan) and migrated to the Southeast.•Generated from Magadha Kingdom
•Pataliputra (shown in the map)
• Chandragupta 305 B.C.E.
•Ashoka 250 B.C.E.
Trade Magadha was cultural trade center
and port due its proximity to the Ganges river beds
Khyber Pass (modern boundary of Pakistan
and Afghanistan) was Mauryan access to outside trade with Greek states and Hellenistic Kingdoms, Southeast Asia
Exports- silk products, spices, textiles, exotic foods
War 305 B.C.E. Seleucus Nikator and
Macedonians invaded Punjab. Peace treaty- Maurya annexed three
richest provinces along Indus as well as Kabul, Gandhara, and parts of Persia; boundary was moved west of Hindu Kush.
Bindusara conquered Deccan Highlands, annexed 16 small kingdoms except problematic Kalinga.
Ashoka invaded Kalinga (southern India) and finally conquered it.
Agriculture
Agriculture drove economy. Magadha sat on rich, fertile soil and
near mineral deposits. Cultivated wheat, barley, pulses,
and rice. State owned and taxed large farms
run by slaves and farm laborers. Irrigation developed due to
Monsoon seasons in the summer.
Weaponry Armored Chariots,
soon replaced by horses
Iron blades War elephants Swords Infantry Calvary
Population, Disease, Migration
Population at its largest estimated at 50 Million under Ashoka’s reign.
Wars took lives of soldiers, though not significantly.
New annexes acquired more people and contributed to population growth, along with agricultural aspects.
Social Structure Caste System: caste was determined at birth
depending on the level of “impurity” or contact with pollutants such as blood, menstrual flow, saliva, feces, dirt, and hair.
1. Brahmans (priests/philosophers)2. Kshatriyas (warriors)3. Vaisyas (originally peasants, later became
merchants)4. Sudras (serfs)5. Pachamas (untouchables) who were
generally excluded from the system because they were considered constantly impure.
Gender Structure Upper class women received education and
recognition for artistic achievement. Brahmans thought knowledge was for men and
generally opposed female education. Position of women declined as more honor was
bestowed upon men. The marriage age of women decreased. According to Buddhism, males and females
should be equal. Ashoka advocated women’s rights, unlike his oppressive grandfather, Chandrgupta.
The social precedence of women was determined by the number of male sons she bared.
The Arts The wealthy enjoyed festivals,
gambling, horsemanship, horseracing, archery, swimming competition, and private parties.
Brahmans taught grammar, rhetoric, economics and politics.
Pataliputra also had trade guilds and schools that taught crafts and technical subjects.
Famous for architecture, created beautiful Buddhist-influenced structures, including stupas and pillars.
Ashoka built shrines and monasteries and had rocks and beautifully carved pillars (right) inscribed with Buddhist teachings.
Writing System/ Language
Sanskrit- classical language of India, began as Vedic Sanskrit, influenced many languages, still used as Hindu language today.
Pali (Canon)- lithurgical language (dialect) of Buddhism
Greek- often spoken in Northwest areas that had strong Greek influence.
Literature/ Sacred Writings
Chanakya is the author of Arthasastra (science of property and material success)
Indica- work of Mansthenes, discusses Indian agricultural practices and Mauryan-Seleucin relations.
Vedas- Hindu hymns and rituals (Upinshads and Bghavad Gita as well)
Government Structure Divided into 4 geographical
provinces, each governed by a governor (Rajukas, reported to the king) and council of ministers.
Each minister was in charge of a different ministry (i.e. taxation, military, agriculture etc.)
The King (Empire) was the head of the Empire and was aided by a prime minister.
Rule was derived from Arthashastra and Indica
Espionage- spies could contact the King at any time.
After Ashoka became Buddhist, he exercised Dhamma Mahamatta (the spread of Ashoka’s dharma ) Most agreed with his new beliefs and became Buddhism spread.
Family Organization
Senior male was head of family. Wife designates tasks assigned to
female family members. Boys were often doted on, while
girls were neglected. Wives were expected to obedient
housewives and worship their husbands.
Religious Beliefs Buddhism- after the Kalinga war,
Ashoka witnessed the horrors of warfare and became Buddhist, spreading it throughout the nation. He served harmony and increased general compassion among the citizens. Promoted equality o Hindus and Jains.
Hinduism- closely tied to Buddhism. Most common religion before Buddhism, Vishnu and Shiva, karma, transmigration.
Jainism- Existed along with Hinduism. No god, believed in the “own nature of things.”Stressed spirtual independence and equality of life, non-violent, small though influential religion.
THE END