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Maurya Empire Timeline
(321 BCE - 185 BCE)The Maurya Empire was the first major centralized empire in ancient India, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BCE with guidance from his advisor Chanakya. Spanning much of the Indian subcontinent at its height under Emperor Ashoka, the empire is renowned for its efficient administration, economic prosperity, and Ashoka's embrace of Buddhism following the Kalinga War. More Less
Primary Sources and Records
Partial records of Megasthenes' history survive in Roman texts
322 BCE
The primary sources for the written records of the Mauryan times are partial records of the lost history of Megasthenes, preserved only in Roman texts written several centuries later. These fragments provide valuable, though incomplete, insight into the Mauryan Empire.
Image source: Megasthenes
Greek traveller Megasthenes observes Mauryan court rituals
302 BCE - 298 BCE
The Greek traveller Megasthenes served as ambassador to the Mauryan court under Chandragupta, observing Brahmanical rituals and sacrifices at the imperial capital and recording his impressions in his now-lost Indica.
Edicts of Ashoka inscribed across the empire
260 BCE
The Edicts of Ashoka stand alongside Megasthenes' lost history as a primary source for the written records of Mauryan times. Carved on rocks and pillars throughout the empire, these edicts remain one of the most important historical records of ancient India.
Image source: Edicts of Ashoka
Hathigumpha inscription mentions the Muriya Kala era
150 BCE
According to some scholars, Kharavela's Hathigumpha inscription (2nd-1st century BCE) mentions the era of the Maurya Empire as Muriya Kala (Mauryan era). However, this reading is disputed by other scholars, such as epigraphist D. C. Sircar.
Image source: Hathigumpha inscription
Empire and Economy
Economic situation analogous to the later Roman Empire
322 BCE - 185 BCE
In many ways, the economic situation in the Mauryan Empire is analogous to the Roman Empire of several centuries later, with centralized administration, taxation systems, and extensive trade networks.
Image source: Maurya Empire
Chandragupta Maurya
Legends describe Chandragupta's campaign against the Nanda Empire
322 BCE - 320 BCE
Historically reliable details of Chandragupta's campaign against the Nanda Empire are unavailable, and legends written centuries later are inconsistent. Nevertheless, this campaign marked the founding phase of the Maurya Empire.
Image source: Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta's campaign into Pataliputra
321 BCE - 320 BCE
Historically reliable details of Chandragupta's campaign into Pataliputra are unavailable, and the legends written centuries later are inconsistent. The capture of Pataliputra, the Nanda capital, secured Chandragupta's rule over Magadha.
Image source: Pataliputra
Rulers and Successors
Sophagasenus described in ancient Greek sources
300 BCE - 200 BCE
Sophagasenus was an Indian Mauryan ruler of the 3rd century BCE, described in ancient Greek sources, and named Subhagasena or Subhashasena in Prakrit.
Indo-Greeks hold trans-Indus region for about a century
200 BCE - 100 BCE
After the decline of Mauryan authority, the Indo-Greeks maintained holdings on the trans-Indus region and made forays into central India for about a century.
Image source: Indo-Greek Kingdom
Religion Under the Mauryas
Jain texts record Chandragupta's embrace of Jainism after retiring
298 BCE
According to a Jain text from the 12th century, Chandragupta Maurya followed Jainism after retiring: when he renounced his throne and material possessions to join a wandering group of Jain monks.
Key Facts
- The Maurya Empire was founded in 321 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, with the strategic guidance of his mentor Chanakya (Kautilya), author of the Arthashastra.
- Under Chandragupta and later rulers, the empire grew to encompass most of the Indian subcontinent, making it one of the largest empires in ancient history.
- Emperor Ashoka the Great (r. c. 268–232 BCE) expanded the empire to its greatest extent but renounced violence after the bloody Kalinga War and promoted Buddhism across Asia.
- Ashoka erected numerous pillars inscribed with edicts promoting moral conduct, religious tolerance, and welfare—some of which still survive today.
- The empire declined after Ashoka's death due to succession struggles and economic strain, and it collapsed around 185 BCE when the last ruler was overthrown by Pushyamitra Shunga.
Source
This Maurya Empire timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.
We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.
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