The Rise of Empires Class 7 SST Notes

The Rise of Empires: Empires emerge when a strong kingdom conquers smaller states, gaining Supreme Power (Imperium). Rulers use a powerful, trained army and secure resources like rivers and trade routes to grow. Success requires strong fortification, good administration, and vast wealth from taxes to maintain control over diverse territories. The early empires in India include the Nanda, Magada, Ashoka, and Mauryan empires.

Building an Empire

An empire needs a lot of things to be successful. It can be done with the help of the ruler and the administration working in a particular location in India.

• Strong Military: A trained army is a must to conquer new lands and protect the empire.
• Good Rules: They need good administration, laws, and order.
• Infrastructure: Good roads and strong forts (Durga) are important for trade and safety.
• Culture: Emperors encourage art, literature, and education.
• Money and Resources: Controlling rivers and trade routes is key. Rivers help with farming (food), and trade brings in wealth (taxes).

Money and Trade

An Emperor gets money mainly from Taxes and Gifts. Taxes come from farming (Production) and Trade. More trade makes people rich, and this means the Emperor gets more tax.

Ancient India traded things like Textiles, Spices, Gems, and Handicrafts. Traders worked together in strong groups called Guilds. They used major routes like the Uttarapath (Northern Route) and Dakshinapath (Southern Route).

Big Empires and Key Events

Indian History covers the information about the big empires that ruled in India. It helped in the money regulation and trade activities in the country.

The Magadha and Nanda Empires

The Magadha Empire was the first big one in Eastern India, near the Ganga River. Key rulers were Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. Later, Mahapadma Nanda built the Nanda Dynasty.

Alexander's Invasion

Alexander the Great, a Greek King, invaded India around 327 BCE. He won the Battle of Hydaspes against King Porus. But his army refused to go further because of the strong fight they faced. He had to go back.

The Mauryan Empire

Chandragupta Maurya founded the huge Mauryan Empire after defeating the cruel Dhana Nanda. His teacher guided him, Chanakya (also called Kautilya). Kautilya wrote the book Arthashastra, which tells how to run a kingdom.

Ashoka the Great

Chandragupta's grandson, Ashoka the Great, was the most famous Mauryan King. After seeing the terrible destruction in the Kalinga War, he felt great sadness. He started teaching a code of good behaviour called Dharma (kindness, non-violence).