Ashoka's Unified India

01: Mauryan Empire Unifies India

Chandragupta Maurya leads the military

In the 320s B.C.E., a military leader named Chandragupta Maurya seized control of the northern part of India. By doing this, he founded the Mauryan empire whose rule lasted for approximately 150 years.

How to Rule an Empire, by Chandragupta

- use a complex government
- employ a network of spies
- have a huge army of 600,000 soldiers

War Elephants

Using chariots and war elephants, the army protected the farmers and their land.

In exchange, the farmers paid heavy taxes to the government.

02: Together, we can rule the empire as father and son...

A Change to Jainism

In 301 B.C.E., Chandragupta decided to become a Jainist monk. In doing so, he had to give up his throne. He passed it on to his son who continued to expand the empire.

By the time Chandragupta's grandson, Ashoka, assumes control, the Mauryas ruled all of northern India and much of central India, as well.

03: The Grandson of the King

The third member of the Maurya family to rule India, Ashoka was the strongest of them all.

- extended the empire across most of India
- conquered other kingdoms
- led armies through bloody battles
- later converted to Buddhism

CC: Ashoka

04: U-N-I-T-Y, that's a unity.

If YOU were there...

You are a merchant in India in 240 B.C.E. You travel from town to town on your donkey, carrying bolts of colorful cloth. In the heat of summer, you are grateful for the banyan trees along the road. They shelter you from the blazing sun. You stop at wells for cool drinks of water and rest houses for a break in your journey. You know these are all the work of your king, Ashoka.

How do you feel about your king?

Chapter 17: The First Unification of India

05: Tell me more about this Ashoka...

06: How can one decision change a man's entire life?

Why? What did he do?

After fighting many bloody wars to expand his empire, Ashoka gave up violence and converted to Buddhism. (Note: His grandfather had given up the throne to become a Jainist monk.)

...and this is important, why?

Ashoka is one of the most respected rulers in Indian history. He also is one of the most important figures in the history of Buddhism. As a devout Buddhist, Ashoka worked to spread the Buddha's teachings.

In addition to sending missionaries around Asia, he built huge columns carved with Buddhist teachings all over India. Largely through his efforts, Buddhism became one of Asia's main religions.