The Maurya Empire

• First gained power in the Ganges river valley
• Later conquer most of northern India and the Deccan Plateau
• Capital = Pataliputra
• Patalipurta was one of the richest cities of its time and had schools and libraries (education = important
• One of the most lasting contributions: the spread of Buddhism by missionaries

Chandragupta:
• First ruler of Maurya Empire
• Collected taxes & built roads and harbors that allowed trade to flourish
• Government = bureaucracy
• Bureaucracy = a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials
• Harsh ruler
• Feared assassination... Had food taste testers and slept in different rooms

Asoka:
• Chandragupta's grandson
• Rejected his grandfathers brutal methods
• Turned to Buddhism
• Hoped to rule by moral example instead of violence
• Sent missionaries to spread the word of Buddhism
• Reign was peaceful
• When he died, the empire declined

Asoka's Laws:
• Laws are scattered in more that 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
• Mostly written in sanskrit (one was in Greek and Aramaic)
• 10 rock edicts
• Buddhist principles dominate his laws