👉 Period: 322 BCE – 185 BCE
👉 First large empire to unify most of India
👑 1. Chandragupta Maurya
📍 Basic Facts
- Founder of the Maurya Empire
- Came to power with help of:
- Chanakya
- Defeated:
- Dhana Nanda
🏛️ Administration
- Established centralized administration
- Capital: Pataliputra
- Divided empire into provinces
- Strong bureaucracy and efficient governance
🛡️ Military
- Maintained a large standing army
- Included:
- Infantry
- Cavalry
- Elephants
- Chariots
🌍 Foreign Relations
- Treaty with Seleucus Nicator
- Received territories in exchange for:
- 500 elephants
- Greek ambassador:
- Megasthenes
- Wrote Indica
🧘 Later Life
- Adopted Jainism
- Died at Shravanabelagola
👑 2. Ashoka
📍 Basic Facts
- Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya
- One of the greatest rulers in Indian history
⚔️ Kalinga War (Turning Point)
- Fought around 261 BCE
- Region: Kalinga
- Massive destruction and loss of life
👉 Led to Ashoka’s transformation
☸️ Policy of Dhamma
- After war, Ashoka adopted Buddhism
- Promoted:
- Non-violence (Ahimsa)
- Religious tolerance
- Welfare of people
🪨 Edicts of Ashoka
- Messages inscribed on:
- Rocks and pillars
- Written in:
- Prakrit language
- Spread across empire
- Purpose:
- Communicate policies and moral values
🏛️ Administration
- Continued strong administration
- Appointed officers called:
- Dhamma Mahamatras
- Focus on:
- Justice
- Welfare measures
🌍 Spread of Buddhism
- Sent missionaries to:
- Sri Lanka
- Central Asia
- Southeast Asia
- His son:
- Mahendra
- His daughter:
- Sanghamitra
📊 Comparison: Chandragupta vs Ashoka
| Feature | Chandragupta Maurya | Ashoka |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Founder | Greatest ruler |
| Expansion | Military conquests | Moral governance |
| Religion | Jainism (later life) | Buddhism |
| Focus | Empire building | Welfare & Dhamma |
✨ Importance of Maurya Empire
- First political unification of India
- Strong administrative system
- Spread of Buddhism worldwide
- Foundation for future empires
🔄 Quick Revision Points
- Founder: Chandragupta Maurya
- Advisor: Chanakya
- Capital: Pataliputra
- Turning point: Kalinga War
- Ashoka’s policy: Dhamma