Students first learn about the Mauryan Empire and its greatest ruler, Ashoka. Then, they turn to the later Gupta Empire, the source of much of India’s culture today. Next, they use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two empires. Finally, they write about which empire they would rather rule, and why.
Students are introduced to the Mauryan and Gupta Empires and how they helped build the foundations of Hindu culture. They examine an image of the Barabar Caves and read a short scenario about a conquering emperor who feels guilty about the destruction caused by war. Students then respond on a discussion wall to the prompt: if they were a ruler who had conquered lands in war, how they might make up for the destruction they caused.
Teacher MovesUse the overview to frame the experience and highlight the objective. Lead a class discussion based on student wall responses, drawing connections to both past and present wars and how rulers might respond to the consequences of conflict.
Students study a map of the Mauryan Empire and read The Mauryan Empire Was the First Dynasty to Rule Most of India and Mauryan Empire Timeline, and watch the video Maurya Dynasty to learn about the empire’s expansion, government, society, religion, and economy. They take structured notes in a four-part graphic organizer (social, political, cultural, economic). Students then answer two multiple-choice questions about features of the Mauryan Empire and evidence of its unity. Next, they view an image of an Ashoka pillar and watch Ashoka the Great—Kings of India to learn about Ashoka’s rule and transformation. Finally, they read about how most information on Ashoka comes from his own inscriptions and post on a discussion wall evaluating how trustworthy this information is and what the inscriptions might imply about his reign, then reply to at least two classmates with questions or positive comments.
Teacher MovesSupport students who struggle with the video by directing them to the accompanying script. During and after the Ashoka discussion, prompt students to consider bias in historical sources and how historians interpret limited evidence, using their wall posts to surface different viewpoints. Encourage students to justify their ideas with details from the readings, timeline, and videos.
Students examine a map of the Gupta Empire and read The Gupta Empire: India’s Golden Age, Daily Life in the Gupta Empire, and Gupta Empire Timeline to learn about Gupta social life, government, religion, culture, and economy. They record information in a four-part graphic organizer (social, political, cultural, economic). Then they respond on a discussion wall, explaining in complete sentences at least two aspects of the Gupta Empire that impress them most, and reply to at least two classmates with questions or positive comments.
Teacher MovesUse students’ wall posts to prompt whole-class discussion about Gupta achievements and daily life, asking students to support their opinions with specific details from the readings and their notes.
After viewing an image of a Gupta-period Buddha, students synthesize what they have learned by completing a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the Mauryan and Gupta Empires. They identify characteristics unique to each empire and those they share, drawing on their earlier notes and readings.
Teacher MovesUse student Venn diagrams to highlight key similarities and differences between the Mauryan and Gupta Empires, reinforcing accurate comparisons and clarifying any confusions between the two.
Students consider the challenges and benefits of being an emperor, using an image of Ashoka’s queen for context. They choose whether they would rather rule the Mauryan Empire at its height or the Gupta Empire at its height and write a first-person response in the voice of that emperor, explaining their choice. They may add an illustration, upload a photo of it with their response, and then review classmates’ posts, responding to at least two with a question or positive comment.
Teacher MovesInvite two or three volunteers to read their responses aloud and show their illustrations, using these examples to discuss how the responsibilities and advantages of rule differed between the Mauryan and Gupta Empires.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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