Mauryan+dynasty

Built on the Deccan plateau in the Indus River Valley, the Mauryan Dynasty lasted from 324 to 184 BC. Founded by a soldier name Chandragupta Maurya, the Mauryan Dynasty was the first to unite most of the subcontinent of India. The centralized government was based upon a bureaucracy. The dynasty was very stern; it used the strict Rock and Pillar Edicts as its code of law and always maintained spies. Emperor Ashoka, grandson of Chandragupta, imposed the dominant religion, Buddhism. Family life was hierarchal. The father was dominant and the mother was subordinate but could rule through her sons. The Mauryan depended on the caste system which divided the population into four main sections and smaller jati. The merchant class was well respected; trade was important and postal service, as well as wells and rest stops along the trade routes, was established. The Muaryan had lively art featuring spherical shrines and built religious stupas. They are known for their scientific inquiry and math as well as medical research. The powerful Mauryan Dynasty finally came to an end after 140 years as a result of the assassination of the last king's assassination. 

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/maur/hd_maur.htm

http://www.livius.org/man-md/mauryas/mauryas.html

Buddhist Stupa built during the reign of Ashoka Created by Christina Oelsner 9-23-08 Edited by Allie Pinosky 9.25.08