Mauryan Empire Kings

The Mauryan empire had 3 main kings – Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, and Ashoka. The remaining 6 Mauryan emperors after the reign of Ashoka were very weak. This article will throw light on the 3 important Mauryan Empire Kings.

Chandragupta Maurya – First Mauryan Empire King

• Chandragupta Maurya was born around 340 BC and died around 293 BC.
• Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire in India.
• The Nanda Empire was defeated and conquered by Chandragupta Maurya.
• Pataliputra was the capital of Chandragupta’s empire.
• Pataliputra was located near the Ganges river. It is close to modern-day Patna, Bihar.
• Chandragupta Maurya had one son. His name was Bindusara
• Chandragupta Maurya was guided by the legendary strategist named Chanakya.
• Chanakya is also called the ‘Indian Machiavelli”.
• Chandragupta Maurya laid the first foundation for uniting most of India.
• The empire of Chandragupta Maurya expanded from Afghanistan to Bengal, and even expanded into Central India and South India.
• Although Chandragupta Maurya built a massive empire, and a large army, and effectively used principles of statecraft, he renounced them to lead an ascetic life in his final years.
• Ashoka the Great was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya.
• The life and accomplishments of Chandragupta Maurya are given in the ancient Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Greek texts.

Bindusara – Second Mauryan Empire King

• Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and the father of the great Emperor Ashoka.
• It is estimated that Bindusara ascended the throne around 297 BCE.
• Bindusara ruled for approximately 25 to 28 years. Different historical records have given different numbers.
• Bindusara inherited a massive empire from his father. He extended the Mauryan empire farther south to the area currently known as Karnataka.
• Bindusara did not conquer the friendly kingdoms located in the Tamil Nadu region.
• During the reign of Bindusara, Ashoka was serving as the viceroy of Ujjain.
• During the rule of Bindusara, people revolted twice. The first revolt was due to the misgovernance of his son Susima. This revolt was stopped by Bindusara.
• The second revolt could not be stopped by Bindusara in his lifetime. This revolt was crushed by Ashoka.

Ashoka – Third Mauryan Empire King

• Ashoka wanted to give up violence and bloodshed as he was horrified to see the bloodshed after winning the Kalinga war.
• Ashoka’s 13th Rock Edict describes the Kalinga war vividly.
• Ashoka was perhaps the only king in the entire world who gave up his desire to conquer new territories after winning a major war.
• Mahendra was the first-born son of Emperor Ashoka.
• Maharani Devi was the first wife of Emperor Ashoka.
• Sanghamitra and Mahendra were the children of Maharani Devi.
• Ashoka sent his children Sanghamitra and Mahendra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism.
• They played an important role in the spread of Buddhism.
• Mahendra was sent as a Buddhist missionary to the Anuradhapura Kingdom in Sri Lanka.
• Ashoka appointed officials known as the dhamma mahamatta, to carry the message and teach people about dhamma.

Related Links

• NCERT Notes: Mauryan Empire: Reasons For Decline [Ancient Indian History for UPSC]
• Ashoka Inscription (The Edicts of Ashoka) [NCERT Notes – Ancient Indian History Notes For UPSC]
• Mauryan Empire (322-185) BCE – Ancient Indian History NCERT Notes for UPSC
• NCERT Notes: Ashoka – Life & Dhamma [Ancient Indian History Notes for UPSC]
• Kalinga War – Background, Events, Aftermath
• Sanchi Stupa – Know More About the Lion Capital