The First Unification of India

The First Unification of India

How did Ashoka unify the Mauryan Empire and spread Buddhist values?

The First Unification of India

There were no billboards in ancient India, but there was something similar. The First Unification of India. A leader named King Ashoka carved official messages on walls, rocks, and tall pillars throughout his empire. Known as edicts, these messages were displayed in public places to tell people how to live. In this lesson, you will learn more about Ashoka. You will find out how he used edicts to unify his empire and spread Buddhist values.

Read Introduction Use the text and photographs to propose some possible answers to the Essential Question:

How did Ashoka unify the Mauryan Empire and spread Buddhist values?

​

The First Unification of India

Read Section 1

​

The First Unification of India

Draw

Shade in the Mauryan Empire Blue.

Hotspot

Where is the Mauryan Empire's capital city of Pataliputra?

Read Section 2

​

The First Unification of India

Drag and Drop

Ashoka expanded and ruled the Mauryan Empire through a series of​

Placeholder

. After one especially brutal

battle, he decided to reject violence and embrace ​

Placeholder

.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

wars

Buddhism

Read Section 3

​

The First Unification of India

Match

Match the four main goals of Ashoka's edicts below.

• being respectful,

  practicing nonviolence, not getting

  attached to worldly things and

  acting morally.

• fair

  laws and described how people would

  be treated in court and in jail.

• promoted people’s well-being, such

  as making sure people had good

  health, shelter, clean water, and food.

• concerned with

  the enemies of the Mauryan Empire

  and noncitizens. They dealt with

  issues of peace and conquest.

Buddhist Values

justice

promoted general welfare

security

• Buddhist Values

• justice

• promoted general welfare

• security

Drag and Drop

These edicts were carved into walls, rocks, and tall pillars in ​

Placeholder

as a way to communicate with the greatest number of people. Spreading ​

Placeholder

messages of ​

Placeholder

values helped more people to know and follow the same laws.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

public places

Ashoka’s

Buddhist

Categorize

Options (8)

improving the environment

promote the well-being of animals

obey your elders

don't spend a lot of money.

be thoughtful

the same rules should apply to everyone

no imprisonment without cause.

unconquered people should trust Ashoka

which value matches each of Ashoka's edicts?

General Welfare

Buddhist Values

Justice

Security