The Maurya Empire

Chandragupta Maurya

-gained power in Ganges river valley then spread to Northern India and Deccan Plateau
-maintained well organized bureaucracy
-effective but harsh ruling
-had secret police to catch dissent (anything opposing thoughts or words against the government)
-royal officials supervised the building of roads and harbors
-other officials collected taxes and managed state-owned factories and shipyards
-had specially trained women guarding his palace

321 BC to 185 BC

Asoka the Great

-most honored Maurya emperor (Chandragupta's grandson)
-became emperor in 286 BC
-after a war he converted to Buddhism and...
-rejected violence
-resolved to rule by moral example
-sent missionaries to spread Buddhism across India and to Sri Lanka
-preached tolerance for other religions
-had stone pillars across India offering moral advice
-he brought peace and prosperity by doing many good deeds to help people

Maurya Empire

-capital: Pataliputra
-began in 321 BC and declined in 125 BC after Asoka died