Ancient · 322 BCE – 185 BCE

Maurya Empire

Timeline

Capital

Pataliputra (modern Patna)

Founder

Chandragupta Maurya

Duration

c. 137 years

Timeline

322 BCE

Chandragupta Maurya Seizes Power

With Chanakya's counsel, Chandragupta overthrows the Nanda dynasty.

305 BCE

War with Seleucus

Chandragupta defeats Seleucus Nicator, gains vast territories and a marriage alliance.

297 BCE

Bindusara Ascends

Bindusara inherits the empire and expands southward.

272 BCE

Ashoka's Coronation

Ashoka becomes emperor after a succession struggle.

261 BCE

Kalinga War

The brutal Kalinga War transforms Ashoka, leading to his embrace of Buddhism.

250 BCE

Dhamma Policy

Ashoka erects edicts and sends Buddhist missions across Asia.

232 BCE

Ashoka's Death

The empire enters a period of decline under weaker successors.

185 BCE

Fall of the Mauryas

Brihadratha is assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga.

Geography

Map of Empire

Capital: Pataliputra

Forts

Pataliputra Fort

Taxila

Ujjain

Kalinga Forts

Battlefields

Pataliputra(Overthrow of Nanda)

Kalinga(Kalinga War (261 BCE))

Indus Valley(War with Seleucus (305 BCE))

Temples

Mahabodhi Temple

Sanchi Stupa

Trade Routes

Uttarapatha (Northern Route)

Dakshinapatha (Southern Route)

Governance

Administration

Centralized bureaucracy with provinces (Ahara) governed by royal princes (Kumara); espionage network; council of ministers (Mantriparishad)

Prosperity

Economy

State-controlled agriculture, irrigation projects, state monopoly on mining and salt, extensive trade with Hellenistic world

Currency: Silver punch-marked coins (Karshapana)

Defense

Military

Largest standing army of the ancient world (estimated 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 8,000 chariots, 9,000 war elephants)

Design

Architecture

Royal palace at Pataliputra, Ashokan pillars with animal capitals, Barabar Caves, Stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut

Heritage

Culture

Flourishing of arts under royal patronage; propagation of Dhamma by Ashoka; spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia; Arthashastra literature

Legacy

Achievements

First pan-Indian empire, uniting most of the subcontinent

Chandragupta's liberation of India from Greek rule (Seleucus Nicator)

Ashoka's Dhamma policy — perhaps the earliest example of benevolent welfare-state governance

Spread of Buddhism across Asia through Ashoka's missions

Kautilya's Arthashastra — masterpiece of political theory, economics, and statecraft

Advanced urban planning at Pataliputra, including a wooden palisade and moat

Maintenance of diplomatic relations with Hellenistic kingdoms (Antiochus, Ptolemy, Magas)

Sunset

Decline

Weak successors after Ashoka's death (c. 232 BCE), division of the empire, financial strain, and the assassination of the last Maurya ruler Brihadratha by Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE

Sovereigns

Kings & Queens

Chandragupta Maurya

Samrat Chakravartin

Founder of the Maurya Empire and the first emperor to unify most of the Indian subcontinent.

c. 322 BCE – 297 BCE

AmbitiousStrategicDecisive

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Bindusara

Samrat Amitraghāta (Slayer of Enemies)

The second Mauryan emperor who expanded the empire southward into the Deccan.

c. 297 BCE – 272 BCE

ExpansionistAdministratorDiplomat

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Ashoka the Great

Devanampriya Priyadarshi — The Beloved of the Gods

The greatest Mauryan emperor who renounced violence after the Kalinga War and spread Buddhism across Asia.

c. 272 BCE – 232 BCE

TransformativeCompassionateVisionary

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Valour

Warriors & Commanders

Chanakya (Kautilya)

Master Strategist — The Indian Machiavelli

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya and Vishnugupta, was the chief strategist, advisor, and mentor to Chandragupta Maurya. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest political thinkers and strategists in world history. He authored the Arthashastra, a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, economics, military strategy, and governance. Chanakya is credited with orchestrating the rise of Chandragupta and the overthrow of the Nanda dynasty, laying the foundation for the Maurya Empire. His teachings continue to influence political thought in India.

strategist·Served: Chandragupta Maurya

Connections

Related Kingdoms

Mahajanapadas

Ancient · c. 600 BCE – 322 BCE

Shunga Empire

Ancient · 185 BCE – 73 BCE

Sources

Historical References

Ancient Textby Kautilya (Chanakya)

Arthashastra

Definitive treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy.

Ancient Textby Megasthenes

Indica

Greek ambassador's account of Maurya society and administration.

Inscription

Edicts of Ashoka

Rock and pillar edicts detailing Ashoka's Dhamma and governance.

Archaeological

Kumrahar Palace Excavations

Remains of the Mauryan palace at Pataliputra.

Archaeological

Ashokan Pillars

Monolithic pillars with inscriptions and animal capitals found across India.

Bookby R. K. Mookerji

The Mauryan Empire: A New History

Comprehensive academic history of the Mauryas.