Chandragupta Maurya was an exiled member of the royal family of Magadha, a kingdom flourishing since 700 BC on the bank of rever Ganges. After Alexander's death, Chandragupta captures Punjab with his allies, and later overthrew the king of Maradha in 321 BC, to form the Mauryan Empire.

After twenty four years of kingship, Chandragupta was succeeded by his son, Bindusara, who added Deccan to the Mauryan rule.

Ashoka, son of Bindusara, was one of the greatest rulers the world has ever know. Not only did he rule a vast empire, he also tried to rule it compassionately. After initially causing thousands of lives during his conquest of Kalinga, he decided to rule by the law of piety.

He was instrumental in spreading Buddhism within and outside the Sub-continent by building Buddhist monasteries and stupas, and sending out missionaries to foreign lands.

	Mohra Moradu monastery, Taxila

. .