- Ashoka (304-232 BCE) was the Emperor of the Mauryan Empire in India who ruled between 269-232 BCE.
- He is the best known Mauryan Emperor whose Empire included most of India, with the exception of modern Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE)
- The Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) was founded by Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 BCE). Ashoka (268-232 BCE) was his grandson.
- Chandragupta Maurya took over the Greek Satraps left behind after the invasion of India by Alexander the Great in 326 BCE.
- The Empire ruled over most of the Indian Subcontinent and had its capital at Pataliputra.
Grand Trunk Road
- Chandragupta’s successors built the Grand Trunk Road, which linked from the Ganges in Bangladesh to Kabul in Afghanistan.
- It was built during the 3rd century BCE, and is still in use today and is known by the same name.
Ashoka and Buddhism
- King Ashoka wanted to end the cycle of warfare and devastation that had created his Empire.
- He converted to Buddhism and adopted a policy of non-violence and sent Buddhist monks into neighbouring Territories to spread the teachings of Buddha.
- Consequently, Buddhism spread throughout India, and abroad into Sri Lanka, Burma, Nepal, Tibet, Asia, China and Japan.
Pataliputra