INDIAN EMPIRES  

I.  How do we know?

A.  Archaeology

B.  Philology

C.  Writings

1. sacred texts (i.e Vedas)

2. codes of statecraft (i.e. Kautilya’s Artha-sastra)

3. rock inscriptions (most under Asoka)

4. visitors (Buddhist pilgrims)

II.  What do we know?

A.  Mauryan Empire (321-185 B.C.E.)

1. Chandragupta (r. 321-297 B.C.E.)

2. Asoka (r. 265-238 B.C.E.)

a) convert to Buddhism after Kalinga

b) public welfare (paternalistic)                  

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