Prince Siddhartha

1. Early Years
A. Prince Siddhartha was born about 563 B.C.E in the northern part of India, near
the Himalayan Mountains.
B. His mom had a dream where she was carried high over the Himalayas to a silver
mountain. Then she was set on a silver couch. There was a white elephant with
six tusks that walked around her and then struck her right side. She asked what
the dream meant and the Brahmins (Hindu priests) responded, You are
carrying a child who will be a great man,
C. Stories say that after he was born, a soft, warm rain of flowers fell on him and
his mother. The infant prince looked a few years old and already knew how to
walk and talk.
D. Prince Siddhartha began his life by a few steps and declaring that he was the
leader of the world and the guide to the world.

2. Significant Events

A. Prince Siddhartha was married at the age of 16.

B. Prince Siddhartha and his wife had a baby when he had a baby.
C. After he became a father, the king gave him more freedom and allowed him to
go outside of the palace.
D. Prince Siddhartha discovered three forms of suffering: aging, sickness, and
death.

3. Personal Attributes

A. The prince became the Buddha.

B. Curiosity was also a personal attribute of the prince because he wanted to
understand the nature of the world.
C. Prince Siddhartha also denied himself of many basic needs.
D. The Prince is strong because he resisted all of Maras daughters (Discontent,
Delight, and Desire).

4. Contributions
A.
B.
C.
D.

Began a religion called Buddhism.

Discovered the Four Noble Truths.
Taught people to travel the Eightfold Path.
Taught people how to reach enlightenment.

5. My Impressions

A. I think that Prince Siddhartha was very brave because he gave up his peaceful
life to reach enlightenment.
B. Also, I think that he disappointed his mother and father.
C. I think Prince Siddhartha shouldve asked his father to leave the palace when he
was younger.

King Ashoka

1. Early Years
A. Ashoka swore to give up violence when he was watching a war.
B. Born in 304 B.C.
C. Was given royal military training.

2. Significant Events
A.
B.
C.
D.

Created an empire dedicated to Buddhist values.

Spread Buddhist beliefs through edicts.
Spread Buddhism beyond India.
Gave up wars of conquest.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Ashoka was a strict vegetarian.

He thought of himself as a wise and loving father figure.
Thought of the people he ruled as his children.
Allowed slavery and permitted people to be executed for serious crimes.

3. Personal Attributes

4. Contributions

A. He had edicts craved into walls, rocks, and tall pillars in public places so the
greatest number of people can see them.
B. Ashokas edicts were designed to promote four main goals: Buddhist values,
general welfare, justice, and security.
C. About 45 years after his death, the empire separated into kingdoms.
D. The flag of India is called the Ashoka Chakra or the Wheel of the Law.

5. My Impressions
A. I agree with Ashokas way of ruling because he did not use violence but at the
same time he was a practical ruler.
B. I think he is very brave to stop using violence after the Mauryan Empire created
the empire through a series of wars and conquests.
C. It is regretful that 45 years after his death, the empire broke into kingdoms.

Chandragupta
1. Early years
Unknown
2. Significant Events
A. First known ruler of the Gupta line.
B. Increased his territory and power by marrying Princess Kumara Devi of the
Licchavi tribe.
C. He was known as the Maharajadhiraja (king of kings).
D. Succeeded by his son, Samudragupta.
3. Personal Attributes
A. Powerful to be the first known ruler of the Gupta line.
B. Deceiving because he married Princess Kumara Devi to gain power and territory.
4. Contributions
A. Started the Gupta Empire.
B. Second empire.
C. Conquered many territories.
5. My Impressions
A. I think Chandragupta was very strong and he helped start the Gupta Empire a
lot.

Gupta Family
1. Early Years
A. Around 320 C.E, The Gupta Empire was rising.
B. Was a kingdom before.
2. Significant Events
A. United the northern kingdoms by conquering them through war. They also
formed alliances by arranging marriages with the sons and daughter of other
rulers.
B. Set up a central government to oversee the empire.
C. Gave local areas a great deal of independence.
D. Stayed in power for 230 years.
3. Personal Attributes
A. Very powerful to have conquered the northern part of India.
B. Smart to form alliances through marriage.
C. Stable because the empire lasted for 230 years.
D. Created the golden age for India.
4. Contributions
A. Created the second empire.
B. That time was the golden age.
C. Contributed a lot to the modern world: universities, literature, painting,
sculpture, metalwork, mathematics, and roads.
5. My Impressions
A. I think the Gupta family was very strong and stable.
B. Also they were very successful in making a new empire.