The First Unification of India
Objective: SWBAT describe how Ashoka unified India and spread Buddhist values
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Ashoka & The Mauryan Empire
Ashoka
- Mauryan Empire flourished from about 322-187 B.C.E.
- Ashoka realizes the horrors that war produces and swears against violence.
W
What does this quotation tell you?
Edicts
a command that is obeyed like a law
O
S
The Mauryas Unify India
Maurya
- Unified more than one million square miles
- Before unification, it was divided into small kingdoms
- Chandragupta Maurya began building the empire in 320 B.C.E.
- 700,000 soldiers & 9,000 elephants
Chandragupta
C
- Created a strong central government
- Wrote laws
- Built royal road (over 1,000 miles long)
- Left empire to live an ascetic lifestyle with monks
Monk
M
a holy man who devotes his life to religious practice
Ashoka's Rule
- Mauryan Empire reached its height under Ashoka
- Ruled from about 269-232 B.C.E.
- Love, Peace, Nonviolence
- Respected all living things: vegetarian
- Army, Slavery, Land
e
Ashoka's Rule
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Stupa
S
- Built by Ashoka to hold sacred objects associated with Buddhism.
Spreading Buddhism through edicts
e
Designed to Promote Four Main Goals
- Buddhist Values
- (Buddha's teachings)
- General Welfare
- (people's wellbeing)
- Justice
- (promote fair laws)
- Security
- (concerned with enemies)
Ashoka's Edicts