321 B.C. To 185 B.C.

Asoka:
-Chandragupta's grandson
-rejected Chandragupta's brutal methods
-was a Buddhist so led by moral example rather than violence
-practiced religious tolerance, but sent missionaries to spread Buddhism
-reign was peaceful and prosperous
-empire declined when he died
-his laws were scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan

Chandragupta:
-first ruler of the empire
-bureaucracy
-ruled harshly
-secret police were brutal, they reported for crime, corruption, and disloyalty
-feared assassination so he had food tasters and slept in a different room every night

This empire first gained power in the Ganges River Valley. Their Capitol was Pataliputra and was on of the largest capitals of its time.

Maurya Empire

Contributions:
-India united for the first time
-spread of Buddhism
-capitals had schools and libraries