Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire, established by Chandragupta Maurya around 324 BC, was a autocratic Indian empire. For several hundred years following the fall of the Mauryan Empire 185 BC, India was divided into many small, independent areas ruled by a king, a tribal chief, or a wealthy, influential family.
Chandra Gupta
Chandra Gupta established himself as India's most powerful ruler during the period. He has been credited with the of unification of India in many ways. After the invasion of Alexander, North India and Western India was in turmoil and it was easy for the foreign rulers to capture India again. But, Chandra Gupta not only gained power firstly by overthrowing the powerful Nands from the Magadha but also unified the North India and west India under his patronage. Chandra Gupta is the first ruler who defeated the Seleucus (Bactrian Ruler) in 305 BC. Another reason that Gupta was the most powerful leader is because he promoted overseas trade and expanded the economy. Arts and crafts, especially the manufacture of fine fabrics, flourished. This is known as the golden age for the Muaryan Empire.
Ashoka
Ashoka succeeded to the throne and then tried to complete the conquest of the Indian peninsula. In the course of his conquests, however, Asoka became so disgusted by the cruelty of warfare that he renounced it. He adopted the peaceful doctrines of Buddhism and declared that his conquests should be conquests of religion.He then set out to teach the religion of Buddhism, and missionaries were sent to Kashmir, Persia and Ceylon. But soon after Asoka's death the Mauryan empire collapsed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7ISmwH6ShrE
http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Topics/Display/1185112?cid=41&terms=the+golden+age+of+india
"The Gupta Empire (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 27 Aug. 2013.
Chandra Gupta
Chandra Gupta established himself as India's most powerful ruler during the period. He has been credited with the of unification of India in many ways. After the invasion of Alexander, North India and Western India was in turmoil and it was easy for the foreign rulers to capture India again. But, Chandra Gupta not only gained power firstly by overthrowing the powerful Nands from the Magadha but also unified the North India and west India under his patronage. Chandra Gupta is the first ruler who defeated the Seleucus (Bactrian Ruler) in 305 BC. Another reason that Gupta was the most powerful leader is because he promoted overseas trade and expanded the economy. Arts and crafts, especially the manufacture of fine fabrics, flourished. This is known as the golden age for the Muaryan Empire.
Ashoka
Ashoka succeeded to the throne and then tried to complete the conquest of the Indian peninsula. In the course of his conquests, however, Asoka became so disgusted by the cruelty of warfare that he renounced it. He adopted the peaceful doctrines of Buddhism and declared that his conquests should be conquests of religion.He then set out to teach the religion of Buddhism, and missionaries were sent to Kashmir, Persia and Ceylon. But soon after Asoka's death the Mauryan empire collapsed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7ISmwH6ShrE
http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Topics/Display/1185112?cid=41&terms=the+golden+age+of+india
"The Gupta Empire (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 27 Aug. 2013.