homework encyclopedia

FIND OUT MORE. Age of Empire 422–423 • Hinduism 286 • Mughal India 407

History^379

Mauryan India

The Maurya dynasty ruled India

from 322 BCE to 185 BCE. Its greatest

king was Ashoka (268–232 BCE).

He began his reign as a warrior but

after becoming a Buddhist he tried

to pursue peaceful policies.

WHY IS GUPTA INDIA CALLED A GOLDEN AGE?

The art, architecture, science, music, literature, and

dance of northern India flourished under the generous

and tolerant Gupta kings. Gupta mathematicians

developed the number system used all over the world

today, and invented the concept of zero.

HOW DID ASHOKA SPREAD BUDDHISM?

Ashoka set up tall stone pillars in important

places, carved with Buddhist teachings and his

own promises to rule well. He tried to make

peace between different peoples in his empire, but

after he died the empire split into smaller states,

until a new empire emerged under the Guptas.

WHAT WERE THE CITIES OF MAURYAN INDIA LIKE?

Mauryan cities were defended by steep banks of earth

and timber walls. At Ashoka’s capital, Pataliputra

(near modern Patna), they stretched for 14 km

(9 miles). Inside were temples, reservoirs,

palaces, store-houses, and workers’ houses.

LION PILLAR 3

These lions stand at the top of the first carved pillar

set up by Ashoka, at Sarnath, in north India. A wheel

at each lion’s feet symbolizes Buddhist teachings.

WHAT IS THE MAHABHARATA?

The Mahabharata, or “Great Epic of India”, is the

world’s longest poem, and was developed into its

present form in the Gupta age. It tells the story of five

Hindu princes who lose their kingdom and struggle to

win it back. Written in Sanskrit, it is one of the most

important works of Hindu literature.

Gupta India

The Gupta dynasty was founded by the Hindu king

Chandragupta I in 320 CE. From their home in northeast

India, the Gupta kings won control of a large empire,

which lasted for more than 200 years.

1 CAVE MONKEY

Gupta artists decorated the walls

of Buddhist temples in caves at

Ajanta. They painted pictures of

Indian animals and plants.

4 SHIVA IN STONE

Fine sculptures, such as this statue

of the Hindu god Shiva, were created

during the golden age of the Guptas.

GREAT STUPA AT SANCHI 1

Ashoka encouraged his subjects to

build stupas (domed monuments), like

this one in central India, as reminders

of the Buddhist faith.

FIND OUT MORE. Buddhism 289 • Mughal India 407

Stupa

Trident,
symbol
of Shiva’s
destructive
power

Nandi, a
white bull,
symbol
of fertility

Headdress
with skull,
sign of death

North gate

carved with

guardian spirits

and scenes from

Buddhist legends

Mauryan

India

Gupta India