1. Maurya Empire
322 BCE BCE

2. 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

3. Maurya under Chandragupta

4. 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

5. 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

7. Expansion of the Maurya Empire