The Mauryan Empire
The first empire to unite most of the subcontinent, from Afghanistan to Karnataka, and the age of Emperor Ashoka's message of dhamma.
How it was ruled
Chandragupta Maurya, guided by Chanakya (Kautilya), founded the empire; Ashoka ruled about 268–232 BCE. Provinces were run by princes and officials; the Arthashastra describes a detailed system of taxes, spies and justice.
How people lived
After the Kalinga war (c. 261 BCE) Ashoka turned to dhamma: respect for all sects, kindness to animals, wells and rest-houses on roads, and hospitals for people and animals.
What people did
Farming, mining, spinning and weaving, and state workshops; the army was one of the largest in the ancient world.
What people ate
Rice, wheat, barley, pulses, milk and fruit; Ashoka's edicts announce limits on killing animals for the royal kitchen.
Trade
Royal roads, including the northern route from Pataliputra to Taxila; trade with the Hellenistic west, whose ambassador Megasthenes lived at Pataliputra.
Region by region
- Bihar: Pataliputra, the capital, with timber palaces and walls.
- Odisha: Kalinga, conquered in the war that changed Ashoka; rock edicts at Dhauli and Jaugada.
- Madhya Pradesh: The Great Stupa at Sanchi was begun by Ashoka.
- Karnataka: Ashokan edicts at Maski and Brahmagiri mark the southern frontier.
- Gandhara (today's Pakistan and Afghanistan): Edicts in Kharosthi, Greek and Aramaic at Shahbazgarhi and Kandahar.
Key events
- c. 321 BCE: Chandragupta Maurya takes Magadha
- c. 261 BCE: Kalinga war
- c. 185 BCE: The last Maurya king is killed by his general Pushyamitra Shunga
Legacy
The Lion Capital of Sarnath is India's State Emblem, and the Ashoka Chakra is on the national flag.