A Beginners Guide To Ancient Indian Government

How was India Governed and organized?

Malcolm #29

Civilizations Of India (and their great people)

Harrapan

Civilization

2300 BC-1700 BC

The Harrapans built their cities in the Indus valley. They built well planned cities with brick roads and large fortresses. Nobody knows why they disappeared in 1700 BC.

Aryan

Civilization

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1200 BC

The Aryans invaded and took over India in 1200BC, starting a new civilization. Aryan settled in small villages, each one was ruled by a Raja. Within these villages, there were family communities, each led by a warrior. Villagers farmed for the Rajas, and the warriors fought (mainly against other villages). The Aryans spoke and wrote Sanskrit, the most important language in India. Sanskrit was important because all of their sacred texts were written in it.

Mauryan

Civilization

320 BC- 184 BC

When the Mauryan civilization arrived, they took over most of Northern India with their giant army. In this army there were around 600,000 soldiers, thousands of chariots and war elephants, and a network of spies. Funding for the huge army came from taxes that were paid by farmers. About 150 years later, the Mauryans had conquered almost all of India, but the last Mauryan emperor died, ending the Mauryan Civilization.

Chandragupta

Maurya

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Was king 320 BC - 301 BC

Chandragupta Maurya came to power in 320 BC after conquering Northern India and forming the Mauryan Civilization. He created a strong army, but gave up his title as king when he became a Jainist monk in 301BC.

Asoka

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Asoka, Chandragupta Maurya's grandson became king in 270 BC. During his reign, he conquered most of India, but then converted to Buddhism. Because he was a Buddhist, he could no longer declare war. Since he could no longer expand his empire, Asoka focused on making the live of his people better. He built and improved roads,constructed rest houses, planted shade trees, and dug wells. Asoka supported the spread of Buddhism, so he sent missionaries to Asia. Asoka died in 233 BC and his sons fiought for power.

270 Bc- 233 BC

Gupta

Empire

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AD 320-mid AD 500

When the Gupta Empire was formed, they conquered most of Northern India. The Gupta Kings belived in the Caste system, because they thought it would help strengthen their rule. During the 400s AD, the Huns invaded, weakening the Gupta Government. Finally, in the mid 500s Ad, the Gupta empire fell apart.

Chandragupta II

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375 AD- 415 AD

Chandragupta II became king of the Gupta Empire in 375 AD. During his reign, he expanded his domain to include all of Northern India. Chandragupta II strengthened the economy and believed in the Hindu Caste System. His rule ended in 415 AD.

Caste System

The Caste System divided people into groups by birth, money, and jobs. At the top of the Caste System, were the Brahmins (priests), next were Kshatriyas (warriors), then came Vaisyas (farmers, merchants, or craftsmen), then Sudras (farmers), and finally there were the untouchables. Untouchables were people who broke the Caste rules, one of these rules is that people could not marry someone from another Caste. When someone became an Untouchable, they were forced from their home.