The Maurya Empire was a South Asian Iron Age historic empire centered in Magadha, created by Chandragupta Maurya in the year 322 before Christ and lasting till 185 before Christ in a loose-knit way. The conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain focused the Maurya Empire, and Pataliputra functioned as its capital city (modern-day Patna). Beyond this royal core, the empire's geographical reach was limited by the dedication of army leaders who ruled the armed cities that dot the landscape.

Other than for the far south, the empire briefly controlled the significant city centers and arteries of the Indian subcontinent throughout Ashoka's rule (which was from around 268 to 232 before Christ).

After Ashoka's reign, it sank for practically 50 years before liquifying in 185 before Christ with the murder of Brihadratha by Pushyamitra Shunga and the facility of the Shunga dynasty in Magadha.

Let's explore the details of this empire that's relatively unknown in the west, but certainly something people in South Asia are often familiar with.