The Mauryan empire was an extremely vast Iron Age empire that was based in South Asia in the city of Magadh. It was founded by the great Chandragupta Maurya in around 322 BCE

and lasted till around 185 BCE. Its capital city was located in Pataliputra, which is known as Patna in the modern days. The total extent of the Mauryan dynasty completely depended upon the loyalty of his commanders in the military who were posted to keep control over their armed cities. Chandragupta Maurya took assistance from Chanakya, who was also the author of the very famous Arthashastra, to build the Mauryan Empire that we know today by destroying the Nanda Empire. Chandragupta Maurya extended his empire very fast towards the western and central regions of India. Chandragupta Maurya was successful in occupying the north-western region of India by 317 BCE.

The rise of the Mauryan empire

• Before the age of the Mauryan dynasty, the ruler of most of India was the Nanda Dynasty
• Legends say that Chanakya traveled to Magadh, which was also the capital of the Nanda Empire, and worked as a minister under them
• Chanakya, after being insulted by the emperor named Dhana Nanda, swore to annihilate the Nanda Empire
• After fleeing from Magadh, he settled in Takshashila, where he discovered a young boy with all the real qualities of a king whose name was Chandragupta
• According to Chanakya, Chandragupta was highly capable of ruling and revolutionizing what we know as the history of India
• The Mauryan dynasty successfully managed to claim its position in the region of Magadh under the legendary leadership of Chandragupta Maurya and his adviser and mentor Chanakya
• Chandragupta moved to Takshashila, where he learned how to govern and statecraft. Chandragupta conquered and recruited the local military forces that had the same motive of the resistance to Alexander’s empire

Rulers during the Mauryan empire

Chandragupta Maurya

• Chandragupta Maurya was the founding emperor of the Mauryan dynasty
• He led simultaneous chains of campaigns in the year 305 BCE to take over the land surrounding the Indus Valley and northwest India
• Chandragupta Maurya successfully managed to create a firm Central State with administrative control from Pataliputra
• Chandragupta Maurya’s son Bindusara managed to increase the extent of Mauryan rule to the southern region of India
• After some time, Chandragupta Maurya reclaims his throne and follows his chosen Jain teacher named Bhadra bahu
• He is stated to have lived as an ascetic at the place of Shravanabelagola for many years before he decided to fast to death according to the Jain practice called Sallekhana

Bindusara

• Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta Maurya, who succeeded the Mauryan empire after his death
• He was second to rule among the Mauryan empire rulers
• It is said that Bindusara was just 22 years old when he was handed over the throne by the Mauryan dynasty, which was a very big empire that included eastern, northern Central ports of India along with a few parts in Balochistan and Afghanistan
• Later Bindusara managed to increase the extent of this dynasty in the southern region of India as far as the modern city known as Karnataka

Ashoka the Great

• Emperor Asoka is third in line among Mauryan empire rulers and is considered to be one of the most brilliant commanders of his time and also the Mauryan Empire
• The Mauryan empire is considered to be at its peak during the reign of Ashoka
• The Mauryan empire was great in every way, be it the art and architecture or the kingdom itself
• Emperor Asoka had a change of heart after he conquered Kalinga. After seeing the aftermath of war and feeling remorse, he chose to follow Buddhism and spread its teaching all over the country and world
• Ashoka started following Ahimsa and banned activities like violent sports and hunting, and he also stopped forced labor
• At the same time, he managed a vastly powerful army to maintain the power and peace of his empire

Decline and post-Mauryan India

• The post-Mauryan period began to set its foot after the passing away of Asoka, the Mauryan empire, which was separated into the south and northern provinces
• The north province was soon dissolved, and the south was taken over by Kalinga
• Ashoka’s successors were weaker kings. None of Ashoka‘s own sons were able to ascend to the throne after him. Kunala Maurya was blind
• The administration was suddenly resting upon the shoulders of just a few people
• The sheer size of the Mauryan empire was too much for them to handle
• The Shunga coup and later the Indo-Greek establishment confirmed their extinction and the post-Mauryan period began

Conclusion

The Mauryan dynasty was a massive empire that reigned for many years and left a massive impact on history itself. Rulers like Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka are considered to be one of the best rulers that existed in the history of India. Their empire was so vast that it occupied most of the Indian region during the prime of the Mauryan period.

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