NAME: ___________________________ COLOR: ________ DATE: _________________

INDIA UNIT: THE BIG PICTURE

(~2500 BCE to ~535 CE)

Essential question: Has South Asia’s unity and diversity been a source of conflict or strength?

By the end of the unit, you will be able to:

LEADERSHIP
• Define bureaucracy
• Describe the reigns of Chandragupta and Asoka of the Mauryan Empire
• Analyze Chandragupta’s government using the Arthashastra
• Relate the Arthashastra to modes of modern governments
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Asoka’s pillars in managing his empire

IDEAS
• Describe what is meant by a “pluralistic society”
• Explain the basic beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism
• Compare and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism
• Discuss the role of the caste system in Hinduism
• Discuss the role of class systems in modern society

INNOVATIONS/TECHNOLOGY
• Define Golden Age
• Identify the innovations created during the Gupta Golden Age
• Describe the factors that made the Golden Age innovations possible and the conditions
that helped them spread

SKILLS
• Take notes using outlines
• Write a clear thesis statement
• Compose an essay using strong evidence and analysis to defend a position

Textbook material for this unit can be found in:

• Chapter 3 section 1
• Chapter 3 section 2 (except “New Religions Arise”)
• Chapter 7, sections 1 and 2 (up to “The Spread of Indian Trade”)