The Roots of Mauryan Power

Directions: Read each section below and create a sketch or six-word story to summarize the information. Section 1: During the Vedic age, political shifts (changes in who is leading society) happened in Northern India. Local rulers of kingdoms known as Janapadas combined their power into Mahajanapadas (ma-ha-jan-a-pod-uhs) or “great kingdoms.” The sixteen Mahajanapadas competed against each other to control land, trade routes, and natural resources. Task: Write a six-word story to summarize the information above.

Directions: Read each section below and create a sketch or six-word story to summarize the information. Section 2: The Nanda dynasty rose to power in the kingdom of Magadha about one hundred years after the Mahajanapadas first emerged. The dynasty expanded by overtaking the other Mahajanapadas in the region. The Nanda kings had a mighty army. However, they were unpopular because they taxed heavily, hoarded wealth, and oppressed their people. Task: Write a six-word story to summarize the information above.

In 326 BCE, at the end of the Vedic age, who invaded South Asia?

• Chandragupta Maurya

• Alexander, the king of Macedonia

• Kautilya

• Dhana Nanda

Who was a Hindu priest and advisor to the Nanda kings, and believed that Dhana Nanda was not fulfilling his dharma as a ruler?

(a)  

The Mauryan Empire was established in (a)   BCE. Under the Mauryan Empire, India was united for the first time.

Kautilya was the author of a book known as the (a)   . The book provided instructions on how to be a good king.

In what language was the Arthashastra written?

• Hindi

• Sanskrit

• Tamil

• Persian

Who were allowed to learn how to read and write Sanskrit according to the Arthashastra?

• All people

• Only Brahmin priests and rulers

• Merchants

• Farmers

The first copies of the Arthashastra would have been written on (a)   .

Answer as though you were Kautilya: Why did you write the Arthashastra? (What circumstances motivated you?)