Uniting India Under One Rule

The Mauryan Empire is widely regarded as one of the most significant and prosperous empires in Indian history, representing a golden age in terms of political stability, economic development and cultural achievements. Flourishing from 322 BC to 185 BC, The Mauryan Empire marked the unification of most of the Indian subcontinent under a centralized and efficient administration.

The empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, a key figure in Indian history who not only overthrew the Nanda dynasty that controlled the powerful Magadha region but also went on to lay the foundations of an expansive empire. Under the guidance of his astute advisor, Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta) who authored the famous treatise “Arthashastra”, Chandragupta established a highly organized and centralized administrative system. This system allowed him to effectively govern the vast territories that comprised the Mauryan Empire including much of northern and central India.

Chandragupta's reign from 322 BC to 298 BC was pivotal in securing his empire from foreign threats particularly the Seleucid Empire in the west. After defeating “Seleucus I Nicator”, one of Alexander the Great’s successors, Chandragupta signed a treaty that solidified his control over northwestern India. This treaty also included a matrimonial alliance, further establishing diplomatic ties between the Mauryas and the Seleucids. After ruling for 24 years, Chandragupta voluntarily abdicated the throne in favor of his son “Bindusara” and according to some sources, he spent his final years as a Jain ascetic in southern India.

Bindusara continued his father's legacy from 298 BC to 273 BC expanding the empire to include much of southern India though territories such as Kalinga, Chera, Pandya and Chola remained outside his control. He was known for consolidating the empire and ensuring that the administration was efficient and the regions remained connected and stable. Bindusara, who was referred to by some as "Amitraghata" or "Slayer of Enemies," is credited with maintaining peace and promoting prosperity throughout the realm.

The most famous and significant ruler of the Mauryan Empire was “Emperor Ashoka”, Bindusara's son, who ascended the throne around 268 BC after a three-year struggle for succession. Ashoka is remembered for his transformation from a fierce warrior to a pacifist ruler after the “Kalinga War”. This war took place in 261 BC which was one of the bloodiest conflicts in Indian history with approximately 100,000 people killed and another 150,000 exiled. The devastating consequences of the Kalinga War profoundly affected Ashoka, leading to his renunciation of violence and his embrace of Buddhism.

Ashoka's reign from 268 BC to 232 BC represents a unique period in world history, as he became a patron of Buddhism and spread its principles of peace, non-violence and compassion throughout his empire. He is credited with promoting a new form of governance based on ethical principles known as “Dhamma”. His diplomatic outreach even extended beyond India sending Buddhist emissaries to regions as far as Greece, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia helping spread Buddhist teachings far and wide.

Despite Ashoka's success in spreading peace and morality, the empire began to decline after his death. Dasharatha, Ashoka’s grandson, succeeded him, but was unable to maintain the unity and strength of the empire. Subsequent rulers such as “Shalisuka, “Devavarman” and “Shatadhanvan” witnessed further decline as regional governors and provinces started gaining autonomy, and external threats from foreign invaders increased.

Approximately 50 years after Ashoka's death, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty “Brihadratha” was assassinated by his general “Pushyamitra Shunga” in 185 BC marking the end of the Mauryan Empire. Pushyamitra then established the Shunga dynasty which took over much of the Mauryan territory. The fall of the Mauryan Empire signaled the beginning of political fragmentation in India as smaller kingdoms emerged in its place.The legacy of the Mauryan Empire, however, endured for centuries. Its contributions to governance, administration, and cultural development had a lasting impact not only in India but also in regions far beyond.


Sanjida Nourin Jhinuk is a
student in Department of International Relations,
Dhaka University.