Lesson 1/35 min
The Maurya age
Alexander invaded India around 327 BCE and died at Babylon in 323 BCE. Within a few years Chandragupta, helped by Chanakya, removed the Nanda dynasty and founded the Maurya empire in Magadha.
The Maurya empire
- The first empire of the subcontinent; centred on Magadha, capital Pataliputra
- Founded about 321 BCE (322 in some sources) by Chandragupta Maurya
- Order of rulers: Chandragupta → Bindusara → Ashoka
- Fall: about 185 BCE; the last emperor Brihadratha was killed by his commander Pushyamitra Shunga, who began the Shunga dynasty
Three emperors
| Emperor | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Chandragupta Maurya | Founder; minister Chanakya (Kautilya/Vishnugupta), author of the ‘Arthashastra’; pushed back Alexander's general Seleucus; Seleucus's envoy Megasthenes wrote the ‘Indica’ |
| Bindusara | Son of Chandragupta; titled ‘Amitraghata’ (slayer of foes); his son was Ashoka |
| Ashoka | About 268–232 BCE; took up Buddhism after the horror of the Kalinga war of 261 BCE; Buddhism became a world religion through his efforts, so he is called the ‘Constantine of Buddhism’ |
Did you know?: The Maurya link to Bengal: the Brahmi inscription found at Mahasthangarh in Bogura is the oldest written record found in Bengal. Its script dates it to the Maurya age (about the 3rd century BCE); it orders an official at Pundranagara to relieve people in distress. Banglapedia says Pundranagara was probably built by the Mauryas.
Watch out: One book says the Mahasthangarh inscription is Ashoka's and that Ashoka's capital was Pundranagara. In Banglapedia the ruler's name is lost from the inscription, and Ashoka's capital was Pataliputra. Alexander died in 323 BCE; the other book's 325 is wrong.
Check yourself
After which war did Ashoka take up Buddhism?
At a glance
- 1
The Maurya empire was the subcontinent's first empire, with Pataliputra as capital; founded by Chandragupta Maurya (about 321 BCE).
- 2
Chandragupta's minister was Chanakya (Kautilya), author of the Arthashastra; Megasthenes wrote the Indica.
- 3
Order of rulers: Chandragupta → Bindusara → Ashoka.
- 4
Ashoka took up Buddhism after the Kalinga war of 261 BCE; the ‘Constantine of Buddhism’.
- 5
The last Maurya emperor was Brihadratha; Pushyamitra Shunga killed him about 185 BCE.