Powerful military force and effective Diplomatic
Relations
Chandragupta
Maurya was a prominent leader who took over the Magadha throne. He won
the military support and allegiance of many
of the people and with them, he was able to gang up and over throw Nanda and take control of the throne. He received the support from two governors,
Ambhi and Porus, who helped him gained military support from Gang-Sangha Republics along the northern edge of India. Once Maurya took control of
the Magadha throne, he started a successful military campaign that reached the Bombay area.
Bindusara was given the throne by his father, Chandragupta, who became a devout Janist after 25 years of ruling. During Bindusara's reign (296-273 BC)
he expanded the empire to include the Indian Peninsula, as far as Mysore. During his reign, he conquered and assimilated 16 smaller kingdoms. His empire stretched from sea to sea, and almost encompassed the entire subcontinent of India. The only areas that he did not conquer were the southern tip of India, because these kingdoms were affable and friendly, and Kalinga, which was a major stepping stone.
of the people and with them, he was able to gang up and over throw Nanda and take control of the throne. He received the support from two governors,
Ambhi and Porus, who helped him gained military support from Gang-Sangha Republics along the northern edge of India. Once Maurya took control of
the Magadha throne, he started a successful military campaign that reached the Bombay area.
Bindusara was given the throne by his father, Chandragupta, who became a devout Janist after 25 years of ruling. During Bindusara's reign (296-273 BC)
he expanded the empire to include the Indian Peninsula, as far as Mysore. During his reign, he conquered and assimilated 16 smaller kingdoms. His empire stretched from sea to sea, and almost encompassed the entire subcontinent of India. The only areas that he did not conquer were the southern tip of India, because these kingdoms were affable and friendly, and Kalinga, which was a major stepping stone.
Bindusara handed the throne
down to his son, Asoka, who became the most famous Mauryan Emperor. Asoka
stretched the Mauryan Empire to it's farthest extent. The empire, under Asoka,
took over territory that was abandoned by Alexander The Great and, later
on, made a treaty with Selecids that secured the borders of his empire. Asoka
undertook a large campaign against Kalinga, the area his father did not take
over. After a long, grisly war, Asoka finally defeated Kalinga. During
the subjugating of Kalinga in 256 BC, he was so horrified at the death and
destruction that he saw, he decided to change his ways. He converted to Buddhism
and from then on, condemned war. He spent the rest of his life preaching
buddhism and love. Asoka was the last great king to rule the Mauryan Empire,
after his death, a succession of weak kings who could not manage the extensive
empire lead to the decline of the power. A few small kingdoms emerged from
what
was once the great
Muaryan Empire.