Maurya Empire

•The Maurya Dynasties first gained power in the Ganges River Valley
•Later they conquered most of Northern India then the Deccan Plateau
•Capital: Pataliputra
•Chandragupta: the first ruler of the Maurya Empire
-He collected taxes and built roads and harbors that allowed trade
-His government was system of bureaucracy
-He ruled harshly and his police were brutal
-Feared assassination
•Asoka
-Chandragupta's grandson, but unlike his grandfather, he didn't believe in violence
-Turned to Buddhism and practiced religious tolerance
-The Empire declined after he died