The Culture and Religion of the Ancient Mauryan Empire

1053 Words3 Pages

The Mauryan Empire was a very intriguing empire, with rulers of different beliefs and ways of ruling, as well as antithetical ways that the rulers gained and maintained their power. Important events occurred during this period of time that affected future generations. The Empire’s people mainly had a Buddhist religion. The people of the Mauryan Empire contributed greatly to the fields of art, and architecture. The Mauryan Empire was very important to India’s way of life.

The Mauryan Empire all began in 321 B.C., when a man named Chandragupta Maurya (340 -298 B.C.) was ruler. Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta founded the Mauryan Empire in 321 B.C. When Chandragupta came to power he drove out the Greek occupation forces and established the capital city of his new empire, Pataliputra, in the Ganges Valley. Maurya gained power by invading and taking control with great fury. Chandragupta first invaded and conquered Punjab. He was also successful in invading and taking control over many other neighboring areas. Maurya was also successful in uniting most of India into the Mauryan Empire.

Chandragupta Maurya was a man who was very paranoid in his time of power. He greatly feared assassination. His food was always tasted before he consumed anything, and he had a secret police to look after him. There was also a very large army and inspectors. Chandragupta did not even sleep in the same bed more than once in his palace to make sure no one could kill him in his sleep. Finally, after years of ruling, Chandragupta Maurya became too paranoid for his own good and retired from ruling. He then handed over his power to his son, Bindusara. Chandragupta converted to Jainism in his late...

... middle of paper ...

...ding the Mauryan Empire’s territory. When the empire was under Bindusara’s control the empire mainly expanded southwards. The empire was expanded as far south as Mysore. He also conquered 16 states in total and expanded the empire from the sea in the west to the sea in the east. Bindusara conquered almost all of India except for Kalinga (modern day Orissa).

Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism made a great impact on the Mauryan Empire. If Ashoka continued to be a ruler with such evil ways of enforcement, the people of the Mauryan Empire would not be happy. His conversion to Buddhism saved a lot of lives because of his new belief in ahimsa. Ashoka also sent out many Buddhist missionaries all over the country to spread the religion of Buddhism. Significant events like these were very important events that occurred during the time period of the Mauryan Empire.

Open Document