Empires of India

In about 321 BC, a young prince, Chandragupta Maurya, founded an empire that stretched across northern India from the Hindu Kush in the west Bengal in the east. This was the first Indian empire.

Chandragupta’s grandson, Ashoka, came to the throne in 269 BC. He extended the empire until most of India came under Mauryan rule. In 260 BC, Ashoka’s army fought a bloody battle against the people of Kalinga in eastern India. Sickened by the bloodshed, Ashoka was filled with remorse. He converted to Buddhism and vowed to follow its religious teachings of peace and non-violence.

Ashoka travelled far and wide throughout his empire, listening to people’s views and complaints and trying to improve their lot. He had edicts carved on pillars for people to see, and sent out special officers to explain his policy of religious tolerance, respect for others and peace.

After the collapse of the Mauryan empire in about 185 BC, India was divided into small, independent kingdoms.

HINDUISM

The Hindu religion began more than 4,000 years ago as ideas from the Indus Valley civilization mingled with those of invading peoples. Under Ashoka, Buddhism became the major religion of Indis. Hinduism enjoyed a revival of Indians are Hindu. The main symbol of Hinduism is the word ‘Om’.

In AD 320, Chandra Gupta I, ruler of the kingdom of Magadha in the Ganges valley, enlarged his kingdom. The Gupta empire ruled northern India for the next 200 years. Chandra Gupta’s son, Samudra, extended the empire and increased its trading links. He was succeeded by Chandra Gupta II. During his reign, India enjoyed a golden age.

Under the Guptas, arts and literature flourished, as did science, medicine and mathematics. Great poets and artists were invited to the splendid royal court.

Hinduism replaced Buddhism as the major religion of the empire, and many new temples and shrines were built. Sanskrit, the scared, classical language of India, became the language of the court.

BUDDHISM

Buddhism was founded by an Indian prince, Siddharta Gautama (c. 563-483 BC), who gave up his comfortable life to seek enlightment. He found enlightenment while sitting and meditating and meditating under a Bo tree. He spent the rest of his life travelling and teaching. Buddhism teaches that people, like all living things, are part of an endless round of birth, change, death and rebirth. Buddhism spread from India to other parts of Asia, and beyond.