Ashoka's Empire

G: Ashoka’s empire stretched from the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan to present-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of Assam in the east, and as far south as northern Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/worldlit2e/full/maps/ashoka.htm

R: Although originally a violent ruler bent on conquest, Ashoka revised his foreign and domestic policies to be in line with the Buddhist teachings of peace of coexistence.

 http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/india3.ht

A: Most of the art made during Ashoka's reign was related to his Buddhist teachings. Early art did not show Buddha directly, but instead used a variety of symbols to represent him 

 Sandstone footprints of Buddha from 1st Century BCE 

Pillar Edict of Emperor Ashoka around 238 BCE

http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/exhibit/mauryans/mauryans.html

S: Ashoka attempted to unite his immense empire using The Moral Order of the Dharma. But, many social barriers, such as diversity in religion and ethnicities, made it difficult to unite people. 

http://www.porchlight.ca/~blackdog/ashoka.htm

P: As emperor, Ashoka held most of the power over the government. He appointed royal officers that made sure all people were following the word of the Dhamma.

E:  

Mauryan punchmark coins used from 300- 100 BCE. 

D: While no exact number is known, scholars estimate that the empire had 30 million people in 250 BCE. 

http://www.historum.com/ancient-history/29975-most-populous-ancient-empires.html

I: Ashoka's Edicts formed the basis for much of India's intellectual developments. Large pillars were engraved with humanistic philosophies on life that had their roots in Buddhism. 

Here is a video that details how one of the pillars was made, transported, and what it means. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siWJQKmfkX0

T: Ashoka's empire did not develop any new technologies, but they utilized boats, new medicines, and herbal health treatments. 

JOCHI

Hello, and welcome to my blog. My name is Jochi. I am the eldest son of Genghis Khan. Some scholars doubt if he is really my father because my mother, Borte, was kidnapped by Chilger Bokh shortly after her marriage. This possibility of illegitimacy caused estrangement between my father and I. Despite this, I became well known as a military leader and a key force in the expansion of the empire. In 1207, I conquered the forest people of Siberia, which marked the first time the empire extended it's northern border. I led two missions against the Kyrgz in 1210 and 1218. Additionally, I was put in hcarge of hunting expeditions that helped to train the army. I was also remembered as being kinder and more peaceful than my father. I once pleaded with my father to not execute the son of an enemy chief because his archery skills would be an asset to the army. When I tried to peacefully negotiate with the Khwarezmian capital of Urgench, my brother, Chagatai deemed it unwise. I wanted to keep the town in tact because Genghis promised that I would have it under his control. But, Chagati wanted to destroy the town. This was another added strain on our relationship and the question of who would succeed Genghis. At a kurultai held in 1222, neither Chagatai nor I was given the empire. Because of our quarreling, our brother, Ogedai, was chosen as successor. I was so shaken by this choice that I retreated north of the Aral and Caspian Seas and remained there until my death in 1227, six months before my father. My family was entrusted with the westernmost part of the empire, between the Ural and Irtish rivers.