The Mauryan Empire in India saw its glorious days under Chandragupta Maurya, who ruled from 324 to 301 BC. He was the man who made the foundation of the first Indian imperial power. The Mauryan Empire had its capital in Pataliputra.
The capital of the Mauryan Empire was a place of wondrous palaces, temples, university, library, gardens and parks. All these are known from the records of Megasthenes. He was the 3rd century BC. Greek historian and ambassador who came to the Mauryan court.
History tells us that behind Chandragupta's success was his adviser Kautilya. He was the author of the Arthashastra. This is a book which forms the guideline of governmental administration and political strategy.
In the Mauryan Empire there were highly centralized well equipped staff to regulate:
The Mauryan Empire was divided into a number of districts, province and villages.
The empire saw another great Mauryan ruler, Ashoka, who was the grandson of Chandragupta and ruled the kingdom from 269 to 232 BC. The stories of his reign are depicted in his inscriptions chiseled on rocks and stone pillars. After his campaign against the kingdom of Kalinga, Ashoka started on his journey to non-violence or ahimsa. His tolerance towards various religions and languages made him an epitome of love and peace.
The Mauryan Empire was disintegrated in the second century BC. This marked the end of the mighty rule in the Indian subcontinent.
