The Maurya Empire: A Captivating Guide to the Most Expansive Empire in Ancient India (Exploring India’s Past) Paperback – January 26, 2021

This fascinating book analyses the Maurya Empire. The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in South Asia based in Magadha, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE. It existed in a loose-knit fashion until 185 BCE. The conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain centralized the Maurya Empire, and its capital city was located at Pataliputra (modern Patna). Outside this imperial center, the empire's geographical extent depended on the loyalty of military commanders who controlled the armed cities sprinkling it. During Ashoka's rule (ca. 268–232 BCE) the empire briefly controlled the major urban hubs and arteries of the Indian subcontinent, excepting the deep south. It declined for about 50 years after Ashoka's rule and dissolved in 185 BCE with the assassination of Brihadratha by Pushyamitra Shunga and the foundation of the Shunga dynasty in Magadha. Chandragupta Maurya raised an army, with the assistance of Chanakya, author of Arthasastra, and overthrew the Nanda Empire in c. 322 BCE. Chandragupta rapidly expanded his power westwards across central and western India by conquering the satraps left by Alexander the Great, and by 317 BCE the empire had fully occupied northwestern India. The Mauryan Empire then defeated Seleucus I, a diadochus and founder of the Seleucid Empire, during the Seleucid–Mauryan war, thus acquiring territory west of the Indus River. The Empire dominated India but eventually declined and collapsed. This book brings great information regarding this empire.

Mauryan Empire is best know for Ashoka's Pillars...There was Much Before & After that is Basically a Succession of Obscure Kings & Battles That are Simply Lists of Dates & Events that are usually left out of Standard Books on History of India...Great for the Completist~Who Wants Every Last Detail...

The history of India likely is familiar to many history fans. That of the Maurya Empire, however, may not be as known. Captivating History's "The Maurya Empire" fills any missing knowledge in an accessible and entertaining read that goes beyond a list of facts.This title gives readers a succinct overview of all the fundamental details one should know about this topic. As such, they will learn about key events from the foundation of this empire in 321 BCE to its end in 185 BCE. This organization both is helpful and successful in sharing with readers the main points of this empire's history.This text differs from other recent release in that it includes not only a regular bibliography but also one for the featured images. Having visual media inside these pages enhances the reading experience so significantly that this author would benefit from maintaining this trend in future releases.Overall, "The Maurya Empire" is an excellent read. Moreover, it is a wonderful resource for anyone desiring more information about this content. There is no way to go wrong with this book!

Excellent and well-researched addition to the Captivating History series. The Maurya Empire is about an ancient empire in India that, I would argue, is little known in the West but played a major part in the historical development of the Indian subcontinent. The book explains how the empire began, its major rulers and conflicts, achievements, and ultimate demise. It's amazing how much one can learn from reading a Captivating History book.The information within the book was very interesting, but one slight criticism is that many facts were repeated several times throughout the book. It helps to remember information when a fact is reiterated two or three times, but it can be counter-productive when repeated more than that. On the other hand, I found the chapter on Ashoka the Great to be a fascinating study of how a person can become an enlightened ruler despite having absolute power. It was also interesting to learn about events that happened on the subcontinent after Alexander the Great's invasion. I have read a lot about the events that occurred up until his army mutinied at the Hyphasis River, but not much about events that were happening on the other side of the river. This book filled that gap in my knowledge.This is the book to read if you want to learn more about a fascinating period in Indian history.

Remarkable story of an ancient empire which encompassed most of India, as well as portions of the surrounding countries. It was originally conquered, and the lineage begun by Chandragupta Maurya, who was a strong, fearless, and ruthless warrior, under the tutelage and assistance of his mentor, Chanakya. The empire continued on through generations the way ancient empires do, with constant warfare and conquering of lands and people. The empire had eventually fallen onto the shoulders of Chandagupta's grandson, Ashoka. Ashoka continued the pattern of fearless, ruthless domination. That is until a particularly brutal war in Kalinga, in which an exceptional number of people died or were enslaved. Ashoka, full of remorse, found the teachings of Buddha, and thereafter spread peace and harmony throughout the land. Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn't it? And yet here it is, the full story of a very real empire.