1. Classical India

2. India Before the Mauryan Dynasty • 520 B.C.E., Persian emperor Darius conquers northwest India • Introduces Persian ruling pattern • 327 B.C.E., Alexander of Macedon destroys Persian empire in India • Troops mutiny, depart after two years • Political power vacuum

3. Chandragupta Maurya • Took advantage of power vacuum left by Alexander • Overthrew Magadha rulers • Expanded kingdom to create first unified Indian empire • Mauryan dynasty

4. Ashoka Maurya • Grandson of Chandragupta • Represents high point of Mauryan empire, r. 268-232 B.C.E. • Expanded empire to include all of Indian subcontinent except for south • Positive ruler-ship integrated Indian society • Much better known as a ruler than conqueror Video Clip

5. Decline of the Mauryan Empire • Economic crisis follows death of Ashoka • High costs of bureaucracy, military not supported by tax revenue • Frequent devaluations of currency to pay salaries • Regions begin to abandon Mauryan empire • Disappears by 185 B.C.E.

6. The Mauryan and Gupta Empires 321 B.C.E.-550 C.E.

7. Regional Kingdom: Bactria • Northwestern India • Ruled by Greek-speaking descendants of Alexander’s campaigns Regional Kingdom: Kush • Northern India/central Asia • Ca. 1-300 C.E. • Maintained silk road trade network

8. The Gupta Dynasty • Based in Magadha • Founded by Chandra Gupta (no relation to Chandragupta Maurya), ca. 320 C.E. • Slightly smaller than Mauryan empire • Highly decentralized leadership • Foundations for studies in natural sciences and mathematics

9. Gupta Decline • Frequent invasions of White Huns, fifth century C.E. • Gupta dynasty disintegrates along regional fault lines • Smaller local kingdoms dominate until Mughal empire founded in sixteenth century

10. Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin • Massive road-building projects under Persian rule • Alexander extends trade west to Macedon • Seasonal sea trade expands • Spring/winter winds blow from southwest, fall/winter winds blow from northwest • Trade from Asia to Persian Gulf and Red Sea, Mediterranean

11. Society: Gender Relations • Patriarchy entrenched • Child marriage common (eight-year-old girls married to men in twenties)

12. Social Order • Caste system from Aryan times • Brahmins (priests) • Kshatriyas (warriors, aristocrats) • Vaishyas (peasants, merchants) • Shudras (serfs)

13. Castes and Guilds • Increasing economic diversification challenges simplistic caste system • Jati formed: guilds that acted as subcastes • Enforced social order • “Out-castes” forced into low-status employment