The Mauryan Empire was one of the most powerful and glorious empires of ancient India both in terms of geographical area and administration. It lasted from 321 BC after the fall of the Nanda kingdom till 185 BC. Patliputra, now Patna, was the capital city of the kingdom and it spread for almost the whole of modern India and including Pakistan, Afghanistan and further territories. Chandragupta Maurya was the founder king and extended his kingdom, overthrowing small kingdom already made weak by the prior Alexander attack. The only region that was excluded from its rule in modern India is the then Kalinga (southern part of Orissa). Chandragupta defeated Seleucus I, a general from the army of Alexander. Trade, agriculture and all types of economic activities flourished during the regime making it the most stable and powerful of what was seen till then. Ashoka is perhaps the best known ruler from this regime. Under his rule and after the Kalinga war, India became the most prosperous nations. The mauryan administration Four provinces, the capitals of which were Tosali (east), Ujjain (west), Suvarnagiri (south) and Taxila (north) constituted the whole kingdom. Kumara or the prince was the head of state and of the entire province. He was assisted by the Mahamantris or the ministers. Kautilya’s Arthashastra reflects the intense bureaucracy that existed during the regime. The kingdom had the largest standing army and a huge expenditure was kept for its maintenance and upkeep. An Espionage system existed that collected information from foreign lands and worked as secret agents. However, it was not war that the kingdom thrived upon. There was huge prosperity throughout and the people loved their kings. Maurya Empire's religion The first of the Mauryan king, Chandragupta embraced Jainism. He at an older age became so involved that he renounced his possessions and traveled around as a monk. Jain temples were erected throughout the kingdom, the remains of which are still found.However, Chandragupta Maurya`s successor, emperor Bindusara, strictly upheld Hindu traditions.With the end of the Kalinga war, King Ashoka was drawn to Buddhism and subsequently became its prominent preacher. He sent monks as far as China to preach the religion and it became a dominant culture there. He convened the third Buddhist Council in India in his capital. Although a Buddhist, Ashoka believed and retained all the values and rights of Brahmanism. The ideals were same and preached non violence as a way of life. Caste system was removed and the country prospered. Architecture of Mouryan Empire Though being an extensive and long lasting empire, the architectural remains of the period are few. The hopostyle building located near the Patna rail head is one of the ruins. The Barabar caves are an example of the fine Mauryan architecture and not to forget about the Ashokan pillar that finds its place in the currency of India. Fall of Mourya empire 50 years after the death of Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Empire was somehow led by weaker kings but it all ended with the assassination of Brhadrata. Pusyamitra Sunga took over the kingdom and started the Sunga Dynasty under him.
