Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE)

Main article: Maurya Empire

Further information: Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, and Ashoka the Great

The Maurya Empire under Ashoka the Great.

Ashokan pillar at Vaishali, 3rd century BCE.

The Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), ruled by the Mauryan dynasty, was a geographically extensive and powerful political and military empire in ancient India. The empire was established by Chandragupta Maurya in Magadha what is now Bihar.^[79] The empire flourished under the reign of Ashoka the Great.^[80]

At its greatest extent, it stretched to the north to the natural boundaries of the Himalayas and to the east into what is nowAssam. To the west, it reached beyond modern Pakistan, annexing Balochistan and much of what is now Afghanistan, including the modern Herat and Kandahar provinces. The empire was expanded into India's central and southern regions by the emperors Chandragupta and Bindusara, but it excluded extensive unexplored tribal and forested regions near Kalinga which were subsequently taken by Ashoka.^[81].the Maurya Empire is regarded largest empire ruled by any Indian Ruler.

Ashoka ruled the Maurya Empire for 37 years from 268 BCE until he died in 232 BCE.^[81] During that time, Ashoka pursued an active foreign policy aimed at setting up a unified state.^[82] However, Ashoka became involved in a war with the state of Kalingawhich is located on the western shore of the Bay of Bengal.^[83] This war forced Ashoka to abandon his attempt at a foreign policy which would unify the Maurya Empire.^[84]

During the Mauryan Empire slavery developed rapidly and significant amount of written records on slavery are found.^[85] The Mauryan Empire was based on a modern and efficient economy and society. However, the sale of merchandise was closely regulated by the government.^[86] Although there was no banking in the Mauryan society, usury was customary with loans made at the recognized interest rate of 15% per annum.

Ashoka's reign propagated Buddhism. In this regard Ashoka established many Buddhist monuments. Indeed, Ashoka put a strain on the economy and the government by his strong support of Buddhism. towards the end of his reign he "bled the state coffers white with his generous gifts to promote the promulation of Buddha's teaching.^[87] As might be expected, this policy caused considerable opposition within the government. This opposition rallied around Sampadi, Ashoka's grandson and heir to the throne.^[88] Religious opposition to Ashoka also arose among the orthodox Brahmanists and the adherents of Jainism.^[89]

Chandragupta's minister Chanakya wrote the Arthashastra, one of the greatest treatises on economics, politics, foreign affairs, administration, military arts, war, and religion produced in Asia. Archaeologically, the period of Mauryan rule in South Asia falls into the era of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). The Arthashastra and the Edicts of Ashoka are primary written records of the Mauryan times. The Lion Capital of Asokaat Sarnath, is the national emblem of India.