The Mauryan Empire
Credit - Mrs. Johnson
Modified by – Mrs. Brannen
Northern India was a battleground where rivals fought for control of the rich Ganges Valley.
Chandragupta!
In 321 B.C., a young Chandragupta Maurya first gained control of the Ganges Valley, but soon conquered much of Northern India.
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Chan
dragupta
From 321 to 185 B.C.E., the Maurya dynasty
ruled over a vast, united empire.
Organization is
Key Under the Maurya
dynasty, there was an
efficient bureaucracy
and a strong
government.
The capital of the
Maurya Empire was at
Pataliputra.
bureaucracy - a system of
managing government with
departments run by
appointed officials.
Pataliputra boasted schools and a library, as well as a splendid palace and temples.
Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador to the Maurya Empire, reported that the wall around the city had 530 towers!
Royal officials collected taxes and oversaw the building of roads and harbors.
Other officials managed government owned factories and shipyards.
This helped trade to flourish throughout the empire.
Don’t Mess With the Mauryans!
The Mauryans’ rule was effective, but harsh.
A brutal secret police reported on corruption, crime, and dissent, any opposing ideas.
Fearful of enemies, Chandragupta had specially trained women warriors guard his palace.
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