Indian Empires

I.  How do we know?

A.  Archaeology

B.  Philology

C.  Writings

1. sacred texts

2.  codes of statecraft

3.  rock inscriptions

4.  visitors

II.  What do we know?

A.  Mauryan Empire (321-185 B.C.E.)

1. Asoka (r. 265-238)

a) convert to Buddhism

b) public welfare

2. state functions

a) regulate groups within

                                     (genders,  castes, religions, guilds)

b) vigilant aganst neighbors

c) central administration

3. capital = Pataliputra

B.  Gupta Empire (320-497 C.E.)

1. marriage alliances

2. indirect rule

3. "golden age"  of culture

a) Sanskrit

b) astronomy

c) mathematics

4. Buddhist pilgrims to Pataliputra