Mauryan emperor of India
c. 268232
BC, the greatest of the Mauryan rulers. He inherited an empire covering most of north and south-central India which, at its height, had a population of at least 30 million, with its capital at
Pataliputra. A devout Buddhist, he renounced militarism and concentrated on establishing an efficient administration with a large standing army and a secret police.
He had edicts encouraging the adoption of his faith carved on pillars and rocks throughout his kingdom.
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