Capital Pataliputra (Modern day Patna) Languages Old Indic Languages (e.g. Magadhi Prakrit, Other Prakrits, Sanskrit) Religion Hinduism Buddhism Jainism Ājīvika Government Absolute Monarchy as described in the Arthashastra Samraat (Emperor) - 320–298 BCE Chandragupta Maurya - 298–272 BCE Bindusara - 268–232 BCE Ashoka - 232–224 BCE Dasaratha - 224–215 BCE Samprati - 215–202 BCE Salisuka Maurya - 202–195 BCE Devavarman - 195–187 BCE Satadhanvan - 187–185 BCE Brihadratha Historical era Antiquity - Established 322 BCE - Disestablished 185 BCE Area 5,000,000 km² (1,930,511 sq mi) Currency Panas Today part of Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan India Iran Nepal Pakistan Outline of South Asian history History of Indian subcontinent 7000–3000 BC: Stone Age[show] 3000–1300 BC: Bronze Age[show] 1526–1858: Early modern period[show] 1510–1961: Colonial period[show] Other states (1102–1947)[show] Kingdoms of Sri Lanka[show] Nation histories[show] Regional histories[show] Specialised histories[show] v · t · e The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in ancient India, ruled by the Maurya dynasty from 322 – 185 BCE. Originating from the kingdom of Magadha in the Indo-Gangetic plains (modern Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh) in the eastern side of the Indian subcontinent, the empire had its capital city at Pataliputra (modern Patna).[1][2] The Empire was founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westwards across central and western India, taking advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the withdrawal westward by Alexanders Greek armies. By 316 BCE the empire had fully occupied Northwestern India, defeating and conquering the satraps left by Alexander.[3] Chandragupta then defeated the invasion led by Seleucus I, a Greek general from Alexanders army, gaining additional territory west of the Indus River.[4] The Maurya Empire was one of the worlds largest empires in its time, and the largest ever in the Indian subcontinent. At its greatest extent, the empire stretched to the north along the natural boundaries of the Himalayas, to the east into Assam, to the west into Balochistan (south west Pakistan and south east Iran) and the Hindu Kush mountains of what is now Afghanistan.[5] The Empire was expanded into Indias central and southern regions[6][7] by the emperors Chandragupta and Bindusara, but it excluded a small portion of unexplored tribal and forested regions near Kalinga (modern Odisha), until it was conquered by Ashoka.[8] It declined for about 50 years after Ashokas rule ended, and it dissolved in 185 BCE with the foundation of the Sunga Dynasty in Magadha. Under Chandragupta and his successors, internal and external trade, agriculture and economic activities, all thrived and expanded across India thanks to the creation of a single and efficient system of finance, administration, and security. After the Kalinga War, the Empire experienced nearly half a century of peace and security under Ashoka. Mauryan India also enjoyed an era of social harmony, religious transformation, and expansion of the sciences and of knowledge. Chandragupta Mauryas embrace of Jainism increased social and religious renewal and reform across his society, while Ashokas embrace of Buddhism has been said to have been the foundation of the reign of social and political peace and non-violence across all of India. Ashoka sponsored the spreading of Buddhist ideals into Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, West Asia[9] and Mediterranean Europe.[3] The population of the empire has been estimated to be about 50 – 60 million making the Mauryan Empire one of the most populous
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 07:25:15 +0000
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