Maurya and GuptaThe Mauryan you know about them the better!
Dates:324-298 BC

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G - Candra Gupta Maurya established a monarch declaring himself king and created a formal bureacracy

- There were four different regions that were lead by viceroys that were broken down into provinces lead by a governor which were made into districts and villages and every leader reported to Maurya- There was an estimate of 600,000 men in the militaryexternal image chanakya.jpgA portrait of Chandra Maurya
R - Gupta orginally practiced Jainism but as a revolt against Hinduism many people became buddhist
- People believed in nonviolence
- People also believed that life is full of suffering and to end this you need to have enlightenment to stop endless rebirths
external image buddha.jpg.jpeg A statue of Buddha, the founder of the Buddhism religion.
E - There was a unified form of currency and weights
- manufactured fine fabrics which increased foreign trade- promoted the practice of dharma
Coin of Candra Gupta I
Coin of Candra Gupta I
A standard Mauryan coin used in purchases and trades.
A - strong wood stone, and brick pillars that were ornamented with precious metals and motifs of animals - pillars and stupas are the most prominent reminants - the art and architecture is one of the most important ways to understand India's cultureexternal image Stupa+no.+3,+Sanchi.+India.+Photo+by+Ekabhishek,+2007.jpg A stuppa, a replica most likely, with carvings.
Water Wheel
Water Wheel
A water wheel used for the irrigation systems of the people.

  • The Indian water wheel is cattle powered and used for irrigation
  • qanat- a tunnel that was used to carry water in arid areas construction labor intensive dug in cliffs scarps and bases of mountain areas looked for damp places to dig until struck water
  • The empire created Universities and Libraries for education
S-town dwellers lived comfortable lives, they made good living, people who lived in the outskirts weren't as well off-women were considered subordinates to men, they were less significant in empire -Kamasutra were people who lived leisurely lives and smirtis were the chief sources for information about social life
- Agramahisini was a chief queen

The Mauryan Empire is not as well known as many other ancient civilizations but it prospered greatly in a short period of time. Their government was organized and the use of provinces and towns being lead by governors is still present today. The water wheel was invented by these people and this is also being used today although in a more updated fashion. Buddhism originated there and society was stratified. The Mauryans were civilized people many could still learn from in present day.