Changes

Later Alexander the Great invaded in 327 B.C., spreading [[Greeks|Greek]] influence in the region.  The time Alexander's troops spent in India was a strange experience for them.  For example, they had never seen elephants.  Imagine their surprise when the Indians fought aboard these massive creatures during a battle on the banks of the river.  In that same battle, Alexander's favorite horse, Buchephalus was injured and died.  After that, Alexander wanted to continue East, but his troops refused, and he was forced to leave India unconquered.

Later Alexander the Great invaded in 327 B.C., spreading [[Greeks|Greek]] influence in the region.  The time Alexander's troops spent in India was a strange experience for them.  For example, they had never seen elephants.  Imagine their surprise when the Indians fought aboard these massive creatures during a battle on the banks of the river.  In that same battle, Alexander's favorite horse, Buchephalus was injured and died.  After that, Alexander wanted to continue East, but his troops refused, and he was forced to leave India unconquered.

Afterwards, in 322 B.C., Chandragupta Mauryan defeated the Greek general Seleucus and became king, creating the largest Indian empire in its history.  He built an elaborate capital city at Pataliputra, surpassing even the splendor of the great Persian cities.  He built a massive army of 500,000 soldiers and his advisor, Kautilya, wrote a book how to maintain political power called the Arthashastra, in which he wrote that punishment was the key to government.  In other words, Chandragupta was a tough dictator.  But his name is revered, as many Indians to this day bear the last name of “Chandra” or “Gupta”.

Afterwards, in 322 B.C., Chandragupta Mauryan defeated the Greek general Seleucus, who ruled a large part of East Asia which Alexander the Great had conquered.  Chandragupta Mauryan and became king of Seleucus' land, creating the largest Indian empire in India's history.  He built an elaborate capital city at Pataliputra, which surpassed even the splendor of the great Persian cities, and was the largest city in the world at that time, with over 150,000 inhabitants.  Pataliputra was also home to several Buddhist monasteries.   

His grandson, Ashoka, underwent a religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism while he held power (268-232 B.C.).  Buddhism emphasizes non-violence and Ashoka’s conversion caused him to rule as a benevolent dictator, stressing compassion and apologizing for his role in killing 150,000 Indians!  He displayed tolerance towards all religions and helped erect shrines to Hinduism and Jainism, another religion of India.  He elevated the status of women, who were already highly respected under the Hindu culture.  In Buddhism women could become monks.  He also promoted trade with the expanding Roman empire to his West, and the growing Han dynasty in China to his East.  After Ashoka died, the empire fell into civil war, and became vulnerable to outside invaders, such as the Bactrian Greeks in the second century B.C. and the Buddhist Kushan in 100 B.C.  A council of Buddhist monks was convened under Kanishka to regulate Buddhism, and the result was Mahayana Buddhism.

Chandragupta Mauryan built a massive army of 500,000 soldiers and his advisor, Kautilya, wrote a book how to maintain political power called the Arthashastra.  He wrote that punishment was the key to government.  In other words, Chandragupta was a tough dictator.  But his name is revered, as many Indians to this day bear the last name of “Chandra” or “Gupta”.

The other major Indian empire was the Gupta empire, from A.D. 320 to 467.  In A.D. 320 Chandra Gupta I, who had no connection to the prior ruling Chandragupta Mauryan, rose to power and conquered the Ganges Valley, and established a new Hindu dynasty.  Trade flourished under his regime with the rest of the world.  He had a policy of religious tolerance.  Intellectual and economic achievement was high.  One famous poet and playwriter was Kalidasa, who wrote plays that were more upbeat and happy than the dreary Greek tragedies.  The Indian number system, known as “Arabic numerals,” were developed and are now used worldwide.  A Buddhist monastery at Nalanda established a university that attracted thousands of students.  A great Indian doctor named Caraka developed a code of medical ethics, and the practice of medicine flourished.  The Indians also developed a form of iron that could withstand rust, and it was used in buildings.

 

The other major Indian empire was the Gupta empire, from A.D. 320 to 467.  In A.D. 320 Chandra Gupta I, who had no connection to the prior ruling Chandragupta Mauryan, rose to power, conquered the Ganges Valley, and established a new Hindu dynasty.  Trade with the rest of the world flourished under his regime.  He had a policy of religious tolerance.  Intellectual and economic achievement was high.  One famous poet and playwriter was Kalidasa, who wrote plays that were much more upbeat and happy than the dreary Greek tragedies and several epic poems.  The Indian number system, known as “Arabic numerals,” was developed and is now used worldwide.  A Buddhist monastery at Nalanda established a university that attracted thousands of students.  A great Indian doctor named Caraka developed a code of medical ethics, and the practice of medicine flourished.  The Indians also developed a form of iron that could withstand rust, and it was used in buildings.

 

In short, Ancient Indian civilization achieved much socially, artistically, religiously, and politically.

=== Hinduism ===

=== Hinduism ===