INDIA

TIMELINE

MODERN INDIA

  POVERTY

  BEGGING

  PUNISHMENT

RELIGIONS

WORKSHEET

By the end of the third century BC, most of North India was knit together in the first great Indian empire by Chandragupta Maurya. His son Bindusara extended the Mauryan empire over virtually the entire subcontinent, giving rise to an imperial vision that was to dominate successive centuries of political aspirations. The greatest Mauryan emperor was Ashoka (286-231 BC) whose successful campaigns culminated in the annexation of Kalinga (modern Orissa). Overcome by the horrors of war, he was probably the first victorious ruler to renounce war on the battlefield. Ashoka converted to Buddhism, but did not impose his faith on his subjects. Instead, he tried to convert them through edicts inscribed on rock in the local dialects, using the earliest known post-Harappan script known as Brahmi.

The Mauryan economy was driven by agriculture. The State owned huge farms and these were cultivated by slaves and farm laborers. Taxes were collected on land, trade and manufacture of handicrafts were the other major sources of income during this era.

Following Ashoka's death in 232 B.C., the Mauryan empire started disintegrating. This was an open invitation to invaders from Central Asia to seek their fortunes in India. This period saw the rise of several smaller kingdoms which did not last very long.

For the LAB, please do the following:

1.  Visit this link on the History of Hinduism.  Keep some notes on the origins of the religion. Each student should be prepared to participate in a discussion about Hinduism.  Please spend about 30 minutes doing this.  After 30 minutes please move on to the following.

2.  Read the selections on Poverty, Begging and Punishment.  What do these tell you about the culture of the country?  Make notes on the readings, please.