Cheat Sheet: The Mauryan Empire | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Period

Ruler

Key Contributions

321 BCE - 297 BCE

Chandragupta Maurya

Founder of the Mauryan Empire; overthrew the Nanda dynasty in Magadha.

Expanded the empire to include Bihar, Nepal, western and north-western India, and parts of the Deccan.

War and treaty with Seleucus Nicator (303 BCE): Secured Arachosia, Gedrosia, and Paropomisadai.

Associated with Kautilya (Chanakya), author of Arthashastra.

Embraced Jainism and abdicated the throne in his later years.

297 BCE - 273 BCE

Bindusara

Known as Amitraghata ("Slayer of Enemies").

Expanded the empire to include the Indian peninsula, stopping around Karnataka.

Patron of the Ajivika sect.

Hosted Greek ambassador Deimachus at his court.

272 BCE - 232 BCE

Ashoka

Expanded the empire to its zenith, covering most of the Indian subcontinent.

Fought the Kalinga War and later adopted Buddhism, spreading the message of Dhamma.

Issued inscriptions and edicts to communicate with the people.

Organised the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra.

Promoted religious tolerance and social welfare.

232 BCE - 224 BCE

Dasharatha

Last Mauryan ruler to issue imperial inscriptions.

Several territories broke away during his reign.

Continued Ashoka's religious and social policies.

224 BCE - 215 BCE

Samprati

Reconquered disintegrated territories like Saurashtra, Maharashtra, Andhra, and Mysore.

Prominent patron of Jainism, making regions safe for Jain monks.

215 BCE - 202 BCE

Shalishuka

Described as a quarrelsome and unrighteous ruler in the Yuga Purana.

202 BCE - 195 BCE

Devavarman

Reigned for seven years as per Puranas.

195 BCE - 187 BCE

Shatadhanvan

Faced invasions and territorial losses during his reign.

187 BCE - 185 BCE

Brihadratha

Last Mauryan emperor.

Assassinated by his commander Pushyamitra Shunga, who established the Shunga dynasty.