Chandragupta Maurya was an emperor from the time of 322 BC to about 298 BC. He ruled the Mauryan dynasty and was the first ruler to united India. His reign extended from the Deccan plateau, northern Kashmir, and western Iran. He gave many contributions to history by starting some of the same systems we use today. They include collecting taxes, building roads in a pattern, and making harbors to help trade flourish easily. He was a natural born leader and was very crafty with deciding ways to take over kingdoms to extend his own. One of his greatest successes was the conquer of Nanda, which is where he set up the Mauryan empire and took over several more areas east and south of him. He had a system of government called bureaucracy which lasted for a long time. In this system, officials were appointed to each organization that needs help in the cities and villages. Bureaucracy has different divisions instead of one official guarding everything. However, despite all his achievements he was a harsh, cruel ruler. Chandragupta had groups of secret police that would lurk around the cities and kill citizens for being disloyal and unfaithful. That was precisely one of the reasons he was very wary of being assassinated. He slept on a different room every night and had guards upon him at all times. Surprisingly, he retired in 298 BC in order to pass his throne to his son Bindusara.

Chandragupta Maurya