Mauryan Empire

In 321 BC, Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire. Pataliputra is the capital of Maurya Empire. He ruled from BC 321 to BC 297. Chandragupta Maurya Era is mentioned in the famous work of Megasthenes, “Indica”. Megasthenes is a greek ambassador in Maurya’s court. Chandragupta's rule brought relief to the people who were struggling with foreign invasions. Kautilya is the prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya. The administration of Maurya was based on Arthashastra. Arthashastra written by Kautilya is translated into English by Syama Sastri. Chandragupta Maurya spent his last days in Shravana Belgola in Karnataka. Chandragupta's son Bindusara came to power after Chandragupta. He led the country to a better economic situation. Bindusara was succeeded by his son Ashoka. Devanampriya and Priyadasi Raja were the titles of Ashoka. The meaning of Ashoka is “Man with not Shoka”. Ashoka’s war against Kalinga (modern Orissa) is happened in BC 261. Upon advice from a Buddhist monk Upagupta, Ashoka followed Buddhism. Kalinga is now situated in Orissa. The third Buddhist Council is happened during the rule of Ashoka. Ashoka died in BC 232. After Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire came to the verge of collapse. Ashoka's non-violence and Buddhist principles as a political policy led to the decline of the Mauryan military power and the rise of disintegration in the country. In 185 BC, the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha, was killed by his general Pushyamitra. Then, Pushyamitra, a Brahmin, founded the Sunga dynasty. The Mauryan Empire is mentioned in Kautilya's 'Arthashastra', Megasthenes' 'Indica', Visakhadatta's 'Mudrarakshasam', Buddhist and Jain texts, and Ashoka's edicts.

Chandragupta Maurya (321 - 298 BC)

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. In 321 BC, with the help of his advisor and guide, the Brahmin Kautilya (also known as Chanakya and Vishnugupta), he deposed the last Nanda king, Dhanananda, and established the Mauryan dynasty. Chandragupta Maurya's rule also laid the foundation for the establishment of an empire with a centralized administration. 'Indica' is a book that provides descriptions of the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in his court. Kautilya's Arthashastra describes the system of governance and politics of the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta Maurya spent his last days in Sravanabalagola in Karnataka.

Bindusara (298 - 273 BC)

Chandragupta's son Bindusara was also known as 'Amitragatha'. He led the country to a better economic situation. He was also able to expand the boundaries of the empire. He suppressed a rebellion in Takshashila, leaving his son Ashoka behind. Bindusara's greatest achievement was that he maintained the political stability of the Mauryan Empire. Bindusara's son Ashoka became king after Bindusara.

Ashoka (273 - 232 BC)

Ashoka is one of the most famous rulers in Indian history. In 261 BC, Ashoka invaded Kalingam. Ashoka, who had acquired Kalingam, exterminated all the remaining royal relatives. This led to a mental transformation in Ashoka. Ashoka devoted the rest of his life to the propagation of Buddhism and world peace. Ashoka converted to Buddhism at the instigation of the Buddhist ascetic Upagupta. Historians describe Ashoka as the 'Constantine of Buddhism'. Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon to propagate Buddhism, and sent Chandramati to Nepal. He erected stone inscriptions explaining his principles in many parts of the empire. He ordered his own life according to Buddhist principles. Known as 'Devanam Priya' and 'Priyadarshi Raja', Ashoka elevated Buddhism as the state religion and held the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra.

After the Mauryas

After the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, India again witnessed foreign invasions. The political unity established by Chandragupta Maurya disappeared with the collapse of the Mauryan Empire. This invited foreign powers. Foreigners such as the Indo-Greeks (Bactrians), Sakas, Parthians, and Kushans established dominance in different parts of India at different times. Along with this, many small and large kingdoms were formed.