Ancient India - The Maurya Empire

Magadha - strongest kingdom

overthrown in 321 BCE by Chandragupta

trained by an educated Brahmin (Kautilya)

seized power through military

ruled most of Indian subcontinent

1st time one state controlled all of northern India

united into 1 empire

• split 4 regions into provinces

set up a bureaucracy

• officials in each region carried out orders

set up tax system

• supported large army/gov.

peace treaty with neighbors

constant fear - servants/guards/spies

gave up being emperor to become a monk

Chandragupta's son, Bindusara, took over

• expanded empire farther

after he died, Asoka took over

• killed his brother for the thrown

waged war, then turned to peace

followed Buddhist values

rule based on dharma (moral law)

1 - ahimsa (not hurt living things)

2 - tolerance (respect differences)

3 - well being of people

spread of Buddhism

set up hospitals/dug wells

built excellent road system

Royal Road - 1,000 miles used for travel

India prospered w/ his efforts

country at peace - little crime

empire struggled after death