Maurya Empire 322 BCE - 185 BCE

Chandragupta Ruler of a small state in the Ganges Valley Took advantage of political confusion and conquered small kingdoms little by little Ruled all of northern India from 321 to 298 B.C. Capital: Pataliputra Well-maintained roads

Maurya under Chandragupta

Chandragupta (continue) Organized his empire by breaking it up into small provinces Assigned a family member to govern Agents travelling from the capital to oversee his provinces A large bureaucracy to run the state Taxation to support public services Chandragupta was an efficient ruler stability to India Chandragupta was repressive, exercising tight and brutal control

Ashoka (269-232 B.C.E.) Chandragupta’s grandson Expanded the Maurya Empire to include almost all of India After a bloody war with Kalinga, Ashoka converted to Buddhism which stressed reverence for lifeRuled with unusual compassion Promoted peace and religious tolerance Carved rules of conduct on Pillars of Ashoka Maurya Empire fell into disunity after Ashoka’s death

Expansion of the Maurya Empire