Civilization · Classical antiquity · Mauryan Empire

Mauryan Empire

c. 322–185 BCE

The Mauryan Empire was the first to unite nearly all of India. Chandragupta founded it as Alexander's empire crumbled. His grandson Ashoka, after a bloody conquest, embraced Buddhism and ruled by moral law.

Facts

Founded: c. 322 BCE, Chandragupta Maurya seized power.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mauryan Empire
Ended: 185 BCE, the last Mauryan assassinated.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mauryan Empire
Heartland: Northern India, capital Pataliputra.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mauryan Empire
Major rulers: Chandragupta Maurya, the founder; Ashoka the Great, who spread Buddhism across Asia.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mauryan Empire

Images

The lion capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, now the emblem of India. (Wikimedia Commons)

Comments

Loading comments…