The Maurya Empire (c. 322–185 BCE) was an ancient Indian empire. The empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE and lasted until 185 BCE. The Mauryan Empire was the first pan-Indian empire. At its height, the empire covered most of the Indian subcontinent. The Mauryan Emperor was the monarchical head of state and wielded absolute rule over the empire. Chandragupta's chief minister Chanakya, sometimes called Kautilya, advised Chandragupta Maurya and contributed to the empire's legacy. Bindusara, Chandragupta's son, assumed the throne around 297 BCE. He kept the empire running smoothly while maintaining its lands. Bindusara's son, Ashoka, was the third leader of the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka left his mark on history by erecting large stone pillars inscribed with edicts that he issued. After Ashoka's death, his family continued to reign, but the empire began to break apart. The last of the Mauryas, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his Senapati, Pushyamitra Shunga who went on to found the Shunga Empire in 185 BCE.
List of emperors RulerReignNotesChandragupta Maurya (𑀙𑀦𑁆𑀤𑁆𑀭𑀕𑀼𑀧𑁆𑀢𑀸 𑀫𑀸𑀉𑀭𑁆𑀬𑀸) 322–297 BCE Founder of the Maurya Empire. Bindusara (𑀩𑀺𑀦𑁆𑀤𑀼𑀲𑀸𑀭𑀸) 297–273 BCEKnown for his foreign diplomacy and crushed of Vidarbha revolt.Ashoka (𑀅𑀰𑁄𑀓𑀸) 268–232 BCEGreatest emperor of dynasty. His son Kunala was blinded and died before his father. Ashoka was succeeded by his grandson. Also known for Kalinga War victory.Dasharatha Maurya (𑀤𑀰𑀭𑀣 𑀫𑀸𑀉𑀭𑁆𑀬𑀸) 232–224 BCEGrandson of Ashoka.Samprati (𑀲𑀫𑁆𑀧𑁆𑀭𑀢𑀻)224–215 BCECousin of Dasharatha.Shalishuka (𑀰𑀸𑀮𑀻𑀰𑀼𑀓𑀸)215–202 BCEDevavarman (𑀤𑁂𑀯𑀯𑀭𑁆𑀫𑀦𑁆) 202–195 BCEShatadhanvan (𑀰𑀢𑀥𑀦𑁆𑀯𑀦𑁆) 195–187 BCE The Mauryan Empire had shrunk by the time of his reignBrihadratha (𑀩𑁆𑀭𑀺𑀳𑀤𑁆𑀭𑀣𑀸) 187–184 BCE Assassinated and overthrown by his General Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE.
Family tree
See also Magadha History of India List of largest empires List of Gupta emperors List of Indian monarchs
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