1. { Early Indian Empires 320 BCE to 550 CE

2. Mauryan Empire  Started when Chandragupta Maurya seized power in the Magadha  Controlled most of present day India, Pakistan and Afghanistan  Built an army with over half a million soldiers

3. Mauryan Empire  Strong centralized gov’t.  Arthasatra – manual for maintaining power  Districts with loyal officials to run them  Controlled all aspects of economy  Large bureaucracy with a network of spies

4. Ashoka  Was shocked by the violence after expanding the empire  Converted to Buddhism  Worked to spread Buddhism across India and into SE Asia  Improved infrastructure in the empire

5. Gupta Empire  Started in the same northern region as the Maurya  Less centralized structure  Local rulers in conquered regions  Restored Hinduism as the main religion of India