List of Maurya emperors explained

Border:	imperial
Royal Title:	Chakravarti Samrat
Realm:	Magadha
Last Monarch:	Brihadratha Maurya
Style:	His Imperial Majesty
Residence:	Pataliputra (322–185 BCE)
Appointer:	Hereditary
Began:	322 BCE
Ended:	185 BCE

The Maurya Empire (c. 322–185 BCE) was an ancient Indian empire. The empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE and lasted until 185 BCE. The Mauryan Empire was the first pan-Indian empire. At its height, the empire covered most of the Indian subcontinent.^[1] The Mauryan Emperor was the monarchical head of state and wielded absolute rule over the empire.

Chandragupta's chief minister Kautilya, sometimes called Chanakya, advised Chandragupta Maurya and contributed to the empire's legacy.^[2] Bindusara, Chandragupta's son, assumed the throne around 297 BCE. He kept the empire running smoothly while maintaining its lands.^[3] Bindusara's son, Ashoka,^[4] was the third leader of the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka left his mark on history by erecting large stone pillars inscribed with edicts that he issued. After Ashoka's death, his family continued to reign, but the empire began to break apart. The last of the Mauryas, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his Senapati, Pushyamitra Shunga who went on to found the Shunga Empire in 185 BCE.^[5]

List of emperors

Rulers-

Ruler		Reign	Notes
Chandragupta Maurya			322–297 BCE	Founder of the Maurya Empire.
Bindusara		297–273 BCE	Known for his foreign diplomacy and crushed of Vidarbha revolt.
Ashoka		268–232 BCE	Greatest emperor of dynasty. His son Kunala was blinded and died before his father. Ashoka was succeeded by his grandson. Also known for Kalinga War victory.
Dasharatha Maurya		232–224 BCE	Grandson of Ashoka.
Samprati		224–215 BCE	Brother of Dasharatha.
Shalishuka		215–202 BCE
Devavarman		202–195 BCE
Shatadhanvan		195–187 BCE	The Mauryan Empire had shrunk by the time of his reign
Brihadratha		187–184 BCE	Assassinated and overthrown by his General Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE.

See also

• Magadha
• History of India
• List of largest empires
• List of Gupta emperors
• List of Indian monarchs

Notes and References

1. Book: Sastri . Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta . Age of the Nandas and Mauryas . 1988 . Motilal Banarsidass . 9788120804661 . 208 . en.
2. Book: Kistler . John M. . War Elephants . 2007 . University of Nebraska Press . 978-0803260047 . 67 . 16 August 2019.
3. Book: Asoka, the Buddhist emperor of India . Vincent Arthur Smith . 1920 . Clarendon Press . Oxford . 9788120613034 . 18–19 .
4. Book: Olivelle, Patrick. Yale University Press. 978-0-300-27490-5. Ashoka: Portrait of a Philosopher King.. New Haven. 2024.
5. Book: The Archaeology of Early Historic South Asia: The Emergence of Cities and States. Allchin. F. R.. Erdosy. George. Cambridge University Press. 1995. Cambridge. 306.