Chakravarti of Maurya Empire
Imperial
Last to reign
Brihadratha Maurya
187 BCE  184 BCE
Details
StyleHis Imperial Majesty
First monarchChandragupta Maurya (as the successor to the Emperor of Magadha)
Last monarchBrihadratha Maurya
Formation322 BCE
Abolition184 BCE
Residence
AppointerHereditary

The Maurya Empire (c. 322–184 BCE) was an ancient Indian empire. The empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE and lasted until 184 BCE. The Mauryan Empire was the first pan-Indian empire. At its height, the empire covered most of the Indian subcontinent.[1]

Chandragupta's chief minister Kautilya, sometimes called Chanakya, advised Chandragupta Maurya and contributed to the empire's legacy.[2] Bindusara, Chandragupta's son, assumed the throne around 297 BCE. He kept the empire running smoothly while maintaining its lands.[3] 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 commander in chief named Pushyamitra Shunga who went on to found the Shunga Empire in 185/184 BCE.[4]

Maurya Empire at its greatest expansion, c. 250 BCE

Family tree

List of emperors

Rulers-
RulerReignNotes
Chandragupta Maurya322–297 BCEFounder of first Indian united empire.
Bindusara297–273 BCEKnown for his foreign diplomacy and crushed of Vidarbha revolt.
Ashoka268–232 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 Maurya232–224 BCEGrandson of Ashoka.
Samprati224–215 BCEBrother of Dasharatha.
Shalishuka215–202 BCE
Devavarman202–195 BCE
Shatadhanvan195–187 BCEThe Mauryan Empire had shrunk by the time of his reign
Brihadratha187–184 BCEAssassinated and overthrown by his General Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE.

See also

References

  1. Sastri, Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta (1988). Age of the Nandas and Mauryas. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 208. ISBN 9788120804661.
  2. Kistler, John M. (2007). War Elephants. University of Nebraska Press. p. 67. ISBN 978-0803260047. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  3. Vincent Arthur Smith (1920). Asoka, the Buddhist emperor of India. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 18–19. ISBN 9788120613034.
  4. Allchin, F. R.; Erdosy, George (1995). The Archaeology of Early Historic South Asia: The Emergence of Cities and States. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 306.
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