Hinduism & the guptas buddhism & the mauryans
social they had used caste system, with untouchables to do the jobs that no one wanted. intermarriage between caste levels was not allowed.
political in 321 bce, chandragupta maurya took over the former magadha kingdom. it became the center of the mauryan empire. his government was a highly organized bureaucracy. he worked his way westward to the indus valley. the third emperor, asoka, brought all of india, except the far south, into the empire. he used military strategy to rule.
religion there were temples and the worship of many gods. animal sacrifices and complex rituals made some people feel disconnected from hinduism. religious beliefs were spread through trade.
intellectual buddha's teachings and the four noble truths were passed down through oral tradition. buddhists meditate to find their own truths. asoka placed stone pillars providing moral guidance all over india (edicts of asoka.)
technology gupta metal workers built a huge wrought-iron pillar. indian doctors practiced ayurvedic medicine. they could set bones and perform simple surgeries. they also began vaccinating people against smallpox.
economy roads and harbors were built to help trade grow. royal officials collected taxes.