India was divided into many kingdoms that each had their own capital and ruler. This time of disunity lasted for a while.
Asoka was followed by weaker emperors. There was division and disunity and outside invaders.
Asoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, took over the empire. After seeing death from war, Asoka converted to Buddhism. He rejected violence and ruled by moral example. Under his rule there was peace, prosperity, and unity.
The Guptas brought a Golden Age to India. There were great cultural achievements, peace and prosperity, strong government, and advances in learning.
Chandragupta Maurya established the Maurya Empire in India. He expanded from the Ganges Valley and had a well-organized bureaucracy. Chandragupta had an extremely harsh ruling style and even a secret police. He was harsh but effective.
Siddhartha Gautama, after 49 days, became the “Enlightened One,” or Buddha. He taught about the Four Noble Truths, which say the way to overcome non-virtue is the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path tells people how to be virtuous. The final goal in Buddhism is Nirvana.
Siddhartha Gautama, a prince, left his palace to meet his subjects. Outside of the palace, he saw suffering and death and decided to be religious. He wanted to become enlightened, so he meditated under a tree.
The Gupta Empire had weak rulers, which caused civil war. Foreign invaders, like the White Huns, caused the empire to decline
Jainism developed from Hinduism. Mahavira was the founder. They practice self-denial and extreme anti-violence.
The Gupta Empire had fallen. India split into many kingdoms again. It would not see another great empire for almost 1,000 years.
The Aryan people were nomadic, but eventually settled in Pakistan. They blended their culture with the people there
The Aryan people established social classes. Priests were highest, then the warriors, then the merchants/artisans/farmers. The servants and laborers were next, and the “untouchables,” who did the unpleasant jobs, were at the bottom.
Hinduism has no single founder and consists of overlapping beliefs of diverse groups. Hindus believe in Brahman, Karma, and Reincarnation.
The Indus Valley was inhabited by the Indus people. They had organized government, farming, and trading. They were polytheistic, had a mother goddess, and regarded cattle as sacred.
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