๐ Chapter 5 โ The Rise of Empires
Class 7 ยท Tapestry of the Past ยท Short Notes
@edugrown ยท @edugrown ยท @edugrown
"There cannot be a country without people and there is no kingdom without a country." โ Kauแนญilya, Arthaลhฤstra
๐ What is an Empire?
โ Back to Top
๐Empire = collection of smaller kingdoms/territories under one powerful ruler (emperor)
๐ฑSanskrit words for emperor: Samrฤj (supreme ruler), Adhirฤja (overlord), Rฤjฤdhirฤja (king of kings)
๐ฐTributary = smaller king who submits to emperor and pays tribute (gold, grain, elephants etc.)
@edugrown ยท @edugrown
๐๏ธ The great city of Pataliputra โ Mauryan capital
@edugrown ยท @edugrown
โ๏ธ An empire's military and administration
๐ก Features of an Empire (6 key features)
โ Emperor exerts central authority over all tributaries
โก Designs & maintains administration (officials, tax collection, law & order)
โข Makes laws, issues currency, regulates weights, measures & trade
โฃ Controls resources โ mines, forests, agriculture, manpower
โค Maintains army for expansion & protection
โฅ Encourages art, literature, learning & religion ๐
โก Designs & maintains administration (officials, tax collection, law & order)
โข Makes laws, issues currency, regulates weights, measures & trade
โฃ Controls resources โ mines, forests, agriculture, manpower
โค Maintains army for expansion & protection
โฅ Encourages art, literature, learning & religion ๐
๐ฟ โฆ ๐ฟ
๐ฆ The Maurya Empire
โ Back to Top
@edugrown ยท @edugrown
๐ฆ Ashoka โ the great Mauryan emperor
@edugrown ยท @edugrown
๐๏ธ Maurya empire's vast territorial reach
~321 BCE โ Chandragupta Maurya
Founded Maurya Empire with help of Chanakya (Kautilya). Capital: Pataliputra (modern Patna)~273โ232 BCE โ Ashoka the Great
Greatest Mauryan ruler โ vast empire across most of subcontinent. After Kalinga War, converted to Buddhism & spread Dhamma.~185 BCE โ Fall of Mauryas
Last emperor assassinated by commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Shunga. Empire broke into smaller kingdoms.๐ฆAshoka's Dhamma = principles of non-violence, respect, kindness, religious tolerance
๐ชจAshoka spread his messages via Rock Edicts and Pillar Edicts across the empire
๐๏ธPataliputra = magnificent capital with wooden ramparts, palaces, busy markets, traders from distant lands
๐Arthashastra by Chanakya = detailed manual on governance, economics & diplomacy
๐ฟ โฆ ๐ฟ
๐ฐ Other Major Empires & Kingdoms
โ Back to Top
@edugrown ยท @edugrown
๐บ๏ธ Regional kingdoms after the Mauryas
@edugrown ยท @edugrown
๐จ Rich art and culture of ancient empires
๐๏ธ Kushana Empire
โNW India, Central Asia. Kanishka = famous ruler, patron of Buddhism
๐ Satavahanas
โDeccan region. Important for trade with Rome. Rich Buddhist sites (Amaravati)
โ Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas
โSouth India. Controlled sea trade. Famous for ports & maritime power
๐บ Sangam Age
โTamil literary flourishing โ Sangam texts record life, love, war & nature of Tamil Nadu
@edugrown ยท @edugrown ยท @edugrown
โ Ancient India's maritime trade network โ silk, spices, gems to Rome & beyond
โญ โฆ โญ
โญ Quick Summary
โ Back to Top
๐ Key Points
๐Empire = many kingdoms under one emperor | Tributary = submitted kingdom that pays tribute
๐ฆMaurya Empire (321โ185 BCE) โ Chandragupta (founder), Ashoka (greatest ruler)
๐๏ธAshoka โ Kalinga War โ adopted Buddhism โ spread Dhamma via rock & pillar edicts
๐After Mauryas: Kushanas (NW), Satavahanas (Deccan), Cholas/Pandyas/Cheras (South)
๐Sangam Age = golden era of Tamil literature; ancient India had rich maritime trade with Rome