Which Chinese dynasty is known for its achievements in art, literature, and the development of the Silk Road?

A) Han

B) Zhou

C) Yuan

D) Ming

  • After the river valley era, India transitioned into the Mauryan Empire

  • Chandragupta Maurya became king of India in 321 BC, created a vast army, & conquered new lands

  • Chandragupta’s empire controlled most of the Indian subcontinent

  • In 269 B.C., King Asoka took over & expanded the Mauryan Empire to its greatest extent

  • Asoka developed new policies of tolerance & nonviolence for his empire

  • During his wars of expansion, Asoka converted to Buddhism

  • Buddhism spread as a result of Asoka’s influence

Central Beliefs of Buddhism:

◦ Four Noble Truths

◦ Eightfold Path

◦ Nirvana and Enlightenment - achieved by following the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths

◦ Reincarnation

What significant change did King Asoka implement in his policies after expanding the Mauryan Empire?

A) Increased military conquests

B) Policies of tolerance and nonviolence

C) Promotion of Hinduism

D) Expansion of trade networks

  • King Asoka Strengthened and spread Buddhism through his Rock Edicts (series of inscriptions carved on rocks/pillars) 

  • Sent out Buddhist envoys and missionaries throughout India and surrounding regions in Southeast Asia

  • Buddhism spread quickly through Indian Ocean trade into Indonesia and Southeast Asia and along the Silk Roads to China, Korea, and Japan.

Asoka

  • After Asoka’s death, the Mauryan Empire declined & was replaced by the Gupta Empire 

  • Chandra Gupta formed the Gupta Empire in 320 A.D. & expanded the empire 

  • India experienced a “golden age” during the Gupta Empire & became a “classical empire”

  • Indian astronomers were the first to discover that the earth was round 

  • Mathematicians invented modern numerals, zero, pi, & the decimal system

Which scientific discovery about the earth was made by Indian astronomers during the Gupta Empire?

A) The earth is flat

B) The earth is the center of the universe

C) The earth is round

D) The earth is stationary

What significant period did India experience during the Gupta Empire?

A) The Dark Ages

B) The Medieval Period

C) A "golden age" and the development of a "classical empire"

D) The Age of Exploration