The Mauryan kingdom founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BC emerged as the strongest political, administrative, religious and architectural hub.   

Chandragupta Maurya laid the foundation of the largest and strongest empire in the history of Indian subcontinent conquests that stretched from north-west (Afghanistan) to the east at the Ganges and south as far as Mysore. Under the Mauryan dynasty culture, religion, philosophy, politics and administration flourished. Two eminent religions – Buddhism and Jainism emerged, while Hinduism gained momentum

Overview

Ruled by the Mauryan dynasty from 321 to 185 BC, the empire originated from the kingdom of Magadha in the Indo-Gangtic plains, with its capital as Pataliputra. Chandra Gupta Maurya’s son Bindusara and grandson Ashoka expanded the empire, before it declined and faded by 185 BC.

By 320 BC the dynasty had completely occupied North-western India, with the overthrowing of the Nanda dynasty and retreat of Alexander the Great. The empire was divided into four provinces - Tosali (east), Ujjain (west), Takshila (north) and Suvarnagiri (south).

Administration & Defence

The provincial administration, headed by the royal prince (Kumara), governed the provinces as king’s representative and assisted by a council of ministers and Mahamatyas. This organizational structure reflected the extensive bureaucracy explained by Kautilya in the Arthashastra - a refined civil service that governed every aspect from municipal hygiene to international trade.

Defence of the empire was guarded by the largest standing army. According to Megasthenes, the empire wielded a military of 600,000 infantry, cavalry of 30,000 and 9,000 war elephants. A vivid espionage system gathered intelligence for both internal and external security purposes. Even though King Ashoka converted to Buddhism, yet he maintained this large army to protect the Empire and encourage stability and peace across West and South Asia.

Economy

Due to the political unity, military security and increased agricultural productivity, the economic system in South Asia strengthened and enhanced the trade and commerce. Under the reign of the Mauryan dynasty farmers were liberated from regional tax, instead they now paid to a nationally administered taxation system based on the principles of the Arthashastra.

Chandragupta Maurya established copper coins as a single currency across India and sponsored several waterways and public works to enhance productivity. The Khyber Pass (boundary of Pakistan and Afghanistan) became a strategically important port of trade as it allowed a passage back and forth to India. Subsequently, Greek states and Hellenic kingdoms in West Asia became influential trade partners of India. Silk, textiles, spices and exotic foods dominated the Indian export market.  The Empire further enriched with exchange of scientific knowledge and technology with Europe and West Asia, in addition to abolishment of burdensome administrative practices.  

Architecture

The remains of a hypostyle building with 80 columns, 10 meters high, discovered in Kumhrar in Patna. The style is the reminiscent of Persian Achaemenid architecture.

The Ashoka Pillars is the most exquisite piece of architecture that can be vividly seen on Indian currency and other legal and official documents. 

Natural history

The protection of forests and animals in India began with Mauryan dynasty. For them forest was a resource that harnessed a strong military component – the elephants. They trained and preserved them for fighting fierce battles.

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