Mauryan dynasty

Indian dynasty c. 321–c. 185 BC, founded by Chandragupta Maurya (321–c. 297 BC). Under Emperor Asoka most of India was united for the first time, but after his death in 232 the empire was riven by dynastic disputes. Reliant on a highly organized aristocracy and a centralized administration, it survived until the assassination of Emperor Brihadratha in 185 BC and the creation of the Sunga dynasty.

The empire's core lay in the former janapada of Magadha, situated in the Ganges valley of northern India, near plentiful iron ore supplies and with its capital at Pataliputra (now Patna). Chandragupta and his son Bindusara (ruled c. 297–272 BC) expanded it to the west and south, and there was consolidation under Asoka. Divided into four provinces, each headed by a prince, the empire was noted for its comparatively advanced bureaucracy, and its encouragement of cultivation and commerce through public works and fiscal measures.