Maurya Empire

📍The first ruler of the Maurya Empire was Chandragupta.
📍Although he was a harsh ruler, he collected taxes and built roads and harbors that allowed trade to flourish.
📍His government system was a bureaucracy, a large complex organization composed of appointed officials.
📍Fearing assassination, Chandragupta had brutal secret police, food tasters, and slept in different rooms.

📍Asoka became emperor in 268 B.C. and was one of the most honored emperors.
📍Although Asoka was Chandragupta's grandson, he believed in ruling differently. Asoka's reign was peaceful and prosperous.
📍A few years after he became emperor, Asoka fought a long bloody war to conquer the Deccan region if Kalinga. Over 100,000 people were slaughtered.
📍Horrified of his actions, Asoka turned to Buddhism ruling by moral example rather than violence.
📍He sent missionaries to spread the word of Buddhism.
📍When Asoka died, the empire declined.
📍Asoka's Laws:
- Written mostly in Sanskrit along with one written in Greek and Aramic.
- There were 10 rock edicts.
- Each pillar, or stupa, was 40-50 feet high.
- Buddhists principles dominate Asoka's laws.

Chandragupta and Asoka